Broccoli Raab / Rapini

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I have sown a few this evening. If the slugs leave em be, i'll report back at a later date!

[donksey]

I cooked some rapini tonight and it was absolutely delicious, followed this recipe.

How to Cook Broccoli Rabe Perfectly...Italian Style

[BertieFox]

Nobody should be under illusion that this is mild tasting stuff, but it is an acquired taste and I think we older types appreciate it more than the young. If you wrinkle your lip at a strong brussels sprout then you really won't enjoy this.

The great thing about Broccoli Rabe or 'Brocoletto' or turnip greens or whatever people call it, is that it will grow at a time when little else will, and that it resistant to pests like aphids, and grows easily. It is our staple during winter and spring.

Rather like marmite, it seems that there are those who find it delicious and those who cannot stand it. Personally we love it, but we also like other strong tasting Chinese greens like mibuna and less so, mizuna greens.

[donksey]

Hi Bertie,
For your winter crop, when do you plant it and do you grow it under cloches?

[BertieFox]

Hi Donksey,

I usually sow it around October or November and plant out in the polytunnel, though it should do equally well under cloches. The main crop I sow in early January in modules, plant out in Feb/March and harvest from April onwards, again the tunnel.

We always grow the 90 day variety now as it has larger 'broccoli' shoots but the shorter time ones are fine for green leaf.

[kathyd]

I had some in the polytunnel last year over winter, and they grew fine (90 day ones). They made quite small plants unlike some broccolis, and the sprouts were smaller and a bit more 'open' somehow 0 there seemed to be quite a short window to pick them before they started to flower. I quite enjoyed them very early in the year, and don't remember them being particularly strong tasting, and given they're so quick and don't take up a lot of room I'll probably stick a few more in this year if I remember in the autumn. Think I prefer the shoots from pak choi though, which also overwinters well in the tunnel here and produces sprouty things really early on.

[donksey]

Thanks, that sounds great to have it as a winter option.
My seeds are from The Real Seed Company, but I think they are of the 90 day variet as they are quite big.
I think I have a taste for the more flavoursome greens due to spending a lot of time in SE Asia and eating a lot of veg such as morning glory.
Pak Choi I find a bit bland and needs cheering up with oyster sauce.