Why do n’t more people grow turnip cabbage ? I mean , what ’s not to like ? It ’s easy to grow , it ’s tasty in a multitude of formula , it come in beautiful colors , and it ’s one of the most strange - look vegetables you ’ll ever encounter . And Brassica oleracea gongylodes is n’t in your garden because … ?
Here ’s the wad on kohlrabi . As a member of theBrassica family(Brassica oleracea , to be precise ) , it is a cousin-german of broccoli , cauliflower , bread and kale .
Kohlrabi is incur in shade of white-hot , green and regal , and several interesting cultivar are useable . ‘ Korridor ’ is an middle - catch blank variety , ‘ achiever ’ is an excellent light-green specimen , and ‘ Purple Vienna ’ is an exquisite purple .
Vegetarian roasted kohlrabi stuffed with mushrooms, onion, eggs, and carrot
For best results , plant seeds in full sun , ¼- to ½-inch cryptical , spaced 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart . you may start seeds indoors , but kohlrabi is a hardy industrial plant and you may direct - sow outdoors in springiness before your last rime date . Choose a location with well - drained soil and keep your plants on a regular basis watered .
While it plow nerveless temperatures , it does n’t do well with cold or freezing temperatures . A light-headed Robert Frost will sometimes better the savour of Brassica oleracea gongylodes , but the plants lean to bolt if queer to freezing temps . you could plant kohlrabi in turn throughout the summer to extend your harvest .
Harvest the bulbs when they reach about 2 in in diameter — usually in 45 to 60 days . you could provide them to grow great ( up to 4 or 5 inches ) but the texture tends to be better when they ’re harvest at a modest size . The elision ? Giant varieties , likeKossak , can reach 8 inch in diameter while still maintaining good savour and grain .
Kohlrabi in the Kitchen
Once you ’ve harvest your Brassica oleracea gongylodes , get ready for a dainty ! Many people liken its tone to a angelical loot or turnip , but some think it taste more like Brassica oleracea italica or daikon . The park and bulbs are eatable and can be eaten raw or cooked .
For fresh use in salads , you ’ll want to harvest young , lovesome greens , but if you ’re harvest greens after in the time of year when they ’re not as tender , you ’ll likely prefer them cooked . you could prepare putting green in the same manner as table mustard greens or collard putting surface — sautéed , steamed or stir - electrocute .
Kohlrabi bulbs are various and taste groovy raw or cooked . Many masses prefer to peel the medulla oblongata , then lightly slit them and serve them in salads or alongside a flavorsome inclination . Raw kohlrabi is also a democratic choice in slaw , perhaps because its flavor is redolent of cabbage .
I guess roasting improves fairly much any vegetable , and kohlrabi is no exception , especially when you poke fun it along with root vegetables like potatoes , onion and carrot . Or just roast the turnip cabbage by itself — it does n’t necessarily require a crony .
you may sauté , steam or budge - electrocute the kohlrabi bulbs and then incorporate them into an raiment of dishes , especially those pair with high mallow — and particularly goat cheese , yum ! Kohlrabi make an out - of - the - ordinary pizza topping , too .
Then there ’s soup ! Hungarian kohlrabi soup contain a especial place in Hungarian cuisine . love askaralábéleves , it ’s a flavourful combination of onion , carrots , wimp stock , parsley and sometimes bacon .
There are so many ways to use this underestimated vegetable , you ’ll want to acquire it in your vegetable garden this time of year .
This article bySamantha Johnsonoriginally appear in the September / October 2019 egress ofNorthern Gardener . Northern Wisconsin - basedSamantha Johnsonis the author of several books , includingThe Beginner ’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening , ( Voyageur Press , 2013 ) .
