Grace Robinson, age 10, of Wilmington, Del., for her question:

IS PARSLEY GOOD FOR YOU?

Parsley is a biennial vegetable that is sometimes considered an herb. It is closely related to caraway. It is definitely good for you since it is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and is rich in minerals, especially iron.

But parsley is usually eaten in such small amounts that it has little effect on a person's health.

Fresh parsley is often used to decorate meat dishes and salads. The leaves are also often dried and used in soups. The most popular variety produces a low growing rosette of finely curled and crumpled green leaves.

Parsley seed is sown in greenhouses, hotbeds or open beds. The leaves come up slowly and unevenly. Sometimes parsley plants are potted and grown indoors in a sunny window during winter.

Parsley was first grown in Sardinia and southern Italy. Early Romans used parsley to fashion garlands to crown military and athletic heroes.