Kohlrabi: What Is Useful And How To Grow A Juicy "stump"

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Do you like to crunch a cabbage head? Well, this is not always safe. Of course, when a vegetable has been grown in its own garden with careful care, the stump mainly collects useful nutrients. But when buying cabbage from hand, one cannot be sure that it was not overfed with nitrates. And harmful substances accumulate in the stump. In order not to deprive yourself of goodies, and at the same time to feel safe, try growing a solid stump in your beds - kohlrabi cabbage. She is not as often seen in our gardens as her white-headed sister. And in vain! After all, it is no less useful, although it looks slightly exotic in our area

Apple-sized cabbage

The edible part of kohlrabi cabbage is a round stem crop. If you are not yet familiar with what it tastes like, try to imagine a cross between a cabbage stump and a turnip. But unlike them, kohlrabi is more juicy. Something even resembles an apple, and sweet notes are present.

Some complain about the woody taste and tough fibrous structure of the stem. It does happen. But most often in the case when he was overexposed in the garden. Do not watch as kohlrabi is gaining more and more volumes. The optimal size is about 8 cm in diameter, like an Antonovka apple. Then it remains pleasant and tasty.

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. These are special varieties, which, by selection, have been brought to the point that they can calmly grow up to 2 kg or more. Only such giants are usually not consumed fresh. They are intended for other cooked dishes.

Multicolored stumps

By the way, kohlrabi is not only white with a pale green tint. We are already accustomed to the fact that white cabbage has a red-headed relative. But the red-stemmed kohlrabi of a purple hue looks exotic for many.

Nevertheless, it is worth trying to grow just this kind of "stump". Violet-colored cabbage - be it leafy, cauliflower, or kohlrabi - is even healthier. Purple vegetables contain nutrients such as anthocyanins.

It is an antioxidant. It helps the body stay young for longer. It also prevents the development of cancer cells. So if you are responsible for your health, be sure to include purple vegetables in your diet.

Who benefits from kohlrabi

But not only this is useful kohlrabi. This variety of cabbage contains three times more calcium than others. Therefore, it is desirable that it is often on the table with children, pregnant women and residential people. And also for those who suffer from osteoporosis.

In addition, unlike white cabbage, kohlrabi is better tolerated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Another category of people for whom kohlrabi will help to improve their health is hypertensive patients. The vegetable has a diuretic effect. And thanks to this, it has the ability to lower blood pressure.

Features of growing kohlrabi

One of the advantages of kohlrabi is that it can be grown in almost any environment. And yet she, like any other vegetable, has her own preferences. In particular, kohlrabi works best on well-moistened fertile soils.

Kohlrabi grows faster than its counterparts. Early varieties ripen in two months. They are sown as a compactor in beds with late white cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers.

In addition, due to its early maturity in one season, you can have time to harvest two kohlrabi crops. And sow it as a re-culture after early vegetables - radishes, lettuce, herbs.

There are also late varieties that ripen no earlier than 4 months. They turn out to be larger. They can be grown both by sowing in the ground and through seedlings. If you choose the second option, then soon it will be time to stock up on seeds and start sowing.

Choose which variety you like best:

• early whites - White ball, Vienna white 1350;

• early red stems - Purple heart, Optimus blue;

• late-ripening whites - Delicacy white, Giant;

• late violet - Delicacy blue.

The early ones are best eaten immediately. They are eaten raw and go well in salads. Late ones are better stored. It is recommended to sprinkle them with sand and send them to the basements for the winter. Such cabbage can not only be stewed or fried, but also other interesting dishes can be prepared - for example, pancakes stuffed with kohlrabi.