Category: Featured Produce
Kohlrabi is neither a root nor a leafy vegetable but a swollen stem (a member of the cabbage family) that grows perched on top of the ground. This versatile veggie is underutilized in the U.S. but is common in Central Europe and Asia. Some claim it tastes a little like a turnip, others like a cabbage. Not surprising since it was bred from a combination of the German “kohl” (cabbage) and “rabi” (turnip). It is an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C and also includes some calcium and vitamin A. The taste and texture is similar to that of a broccoli stem, accented by radish, but is much sweeter and milder. (more…)
Brussels sprouts as they are now known were grown possibly as early as the 13th century in what is now Belgium. During the 16th century, they enjoyed a popularity in the southern Netherlands that eventually spread throughout the cooler parts of Northern Europe. They are a cool weather crop that, rather than being damaged by a frost, actually gets a little sweeter and improves in taste. (more…)
Celeriac, aka celery root or knob of celery, is a distinct variety from the plant that produces the green stalks we enjoy in salads and soups; is cultivated specifically for its large, robust, and unfortunately rather ugly root. It is a distant cousin to anise, carrots, parsley and parsnips. Celeriac is recognized for its large, round, knobby and deeply gnarled, root ball.
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Easy to grow and store, high-yielding, supernutritious and crunchy like an apple, yacon root (pronounced ya-kon) is one of the many “new” vegetables coming to us from South America. In reality, this fruitlike vegetable has been cultivated throughout the Andes for more than a millennium. South Americans eat it as a fruit; they also use the huge leaves to wrap foods during cooking, in the same way cabbage leaves are used in Germany, grape leaves in the Mideast and banana leaves in the tropics. Only recently – thanks to some adventurous green thumbs – have North Americans begun to see yacon in produce markets. (more…)
Delicata squash is a long, oblong-shaped squash with a cream colored, green-striped, outer skin and a golden, fine-textured inner flesh. This is one of the tastier winter squashes, with a creamy pulp that tastes a bit like corn and sweet potatoes. It can be baked or steamed and served as a side dish, seasoned with butter and herbs, providing a sweet nutty flavor with a creamy smooth texture. The thin skin is also edible. (more…)
Daikon, or white radish, is traditional to Asian cooking. It is a long white radish, and given its shape and color, has been called an “icicle radish”. It is extremely versatile in cooking. You can use it anywhere you would normally use a regular radish, and in some ways that are unique. (more…)
Everyone knows that a sprinkle of fresh herbs turns that ordinary family dinner into something extraordinary. But did you know that fresh herbs have a high antioxidant activity? According to a US Department of Agriculture study, fresh herbs, in particular oregano, beat out fruits, vegetables, and even garlic! (more…)
Cauliflower is a highly modified form of cabbage in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), grown for its edible masses of partially developed flower structures and fleshy stalks. alongside its well-known counterparts of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and radishes. (more…)
Mushrooms are one of a very large, diverse group of organisms called fungi. They are similar to plants but lack chlorophyll, so they cannot produce food for themselves through photosynthesis. Mushrooms are decomposers that absorb nutrients from materials such as compost, leaves, decaying wood, and soil. (more…)
You probably already know that the best way to store onions and garlic is in a cool, dark place that’s dry and has good air flow. But did you know that rule actually only applies to cured onions and garlic – the kind generally found at the supermarket? “Spring” or “fresh” onions and garlic, however, are an exception to that rule. This article on thekitchn.com has all the details! (more…)
