Saturday 4 July 2015

First Kohlrabi

 I harvested our first kohlrabi this week. I've never grown or eaten it before so I was keen to try it. 
The seeds were brought from the real seed catalogue and they germinated and grew well - like most brassicas do in fact.  
I started them off in cells and then planted them out in the garden a few months ago. They've grown well and not suffered from pests much at all even though I didn't bother to net them (too early for cabbage whites I think).
Good sized - not too big
To cook them I peeled, chopped and steamed them before roasting them in the oven for 45 minutes. 
Growing
I served them with some home made savoury rice and chopped pork covered in paprika. A really great meal and I'll certainly be growing kohlrabi again. 

Low maintenance, fast growing and tasty - what's not to like? 

Does anyone else grow this odd looking veg? What are your thoughts on it?

25 comments:

  1. Kohlrabi I steer clear of my step dad who was German used to grow them big massive ugly things and used to serve them up to us when we visited a horrible bitter vegetable put me off for life :-)

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    1. These weren't bitter at all, I was really impressed with the taste.

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  2. Apparently it's very popular in Germany.

    I used to get it in my organic box years ago and ended up sauteing in butter which was delicious although probably not the most healthy way to eat it.
    As you say it's very easy I may have a go at growing it myself - lettuce is a challenge for some of us;-)

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    1. sounds a good way to eat it to me! This was quite easy to grow just because I harvest it before the cabbage whites I think!

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  3. Have grown this in the past, it grew well. I think the secret's to harvest it young.

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    1. I might leave one in to get big and see what everyone means but I should imagine I'll be eating the rest over the next week or so

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  4. I have grown it on and off for years, it is not unpleasant just a bit bland for my taste but good as a "filler veg" for stews and pies. The seed used to be quite pricey, it must be 5 or 6 years since I last bought any.

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    1. the seed wasn't too expensive from them but i can't see me saving any of my own this year.

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  5. They tend to taste bitter if they are allowed to grow too large. Tennis ball size is perfect. The leaves can be picked and eaten as well. You can use it in coleslaw as well as or instead of carrots.

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    1. I was just about to say coleslaw and what about fermenting it?

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    2. I bet my wife would like it in a coleslaw - I've never been a big fan of any raw veg really!
      As for fermenting it I guess you mean like a sauerkraut?

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  6. I eat them raw like an apple - spicy sweet when young (to my taste buds) I suppose it depends on soil type for flavor...

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    1. I just don;t like many raw veg but maybe I could trick the girls into eating them!

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  7. I love it ..... and it makes THE best coleslaw in the world.

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  8. I have one in my garden, yes one. Its all that made it.

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    1. Oh dear! Make sure you do something special with it!

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  9. in salad raw, or grated with courgette and made into fritters.

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    1. Fritters sound good! I should be getting my first courgettes this week with any luck!

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  10. Tried them a couple of years ago, but no success. Might have another go next year after your efforts with growing it!

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    1. They seemed pretty easy. I transplant nearly all my veg though as I know that young seedlings are very tasty to slugs and snails so maybe that helped?

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  11. Never heard of it Kev. It looks like something from a show about evil aliens.

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    1. Yeah it looks a little odd. But ti tastes good though and that's the main thing!

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  12. We don't grow anything odd looking here at the Heart of Home but seemingly spontaneously we started growing kabocha also known as Japanese pumpkin. Starts off looking a lot like a watermelon at first but with blossoms identical to that of acorn squash. You can check out the pictures on my blog, Heart of Home: Finding My Homestead.

    What kind of sheep do you raise? I have always loved sheep though here in the south eastern United States we seem to have many more cows and goats. I'm very into crochet, so I have an invested interest in wool.

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    1. I like the look of those Kabocha's. Do they store well?
      As for sheep mine are all crosses either texel or welsh mule. Makes big sheep and big lambs for meat. hopefully once I get going I'll get some pure breeds to breed from. The wool here is pretty much worthless - just pays for the shearing.

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