Early Fall Rapini
Brassica rapa var ruvo
Bright green leaves and flower buds resembling broccoli, though they never quite form a head the way broccoli does. Broccoli raab is actually not a broccoli at all, but rather closely related to the turnip. It's a vegetable with zesty, slightly bitter, almost mustard-like flavor that is popular in Italian and Asian dishes. A common way to prepare raab, is to blanch quickly in boiling water, drain, then saute briefly until tender in olive oil and minced garlic. It tastes similar to broccoli, with a bit of a bite. Delicious stir fried, sauteed, broiled, or steamed. Broccoli raab is another super nutritious green, containing vitamins A, B, C, K, iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acid.
Days to germination | 4-7 days |
Days to maturity | 45-70 days |
Life cycle | Annual |
Plant time | September through November |
Spacing | 12-24 in. |
Sun | Full sun |
Soil temperature | 50-80 degrees F |
Optimum soil P.H | 6.0-6.5 |
Height | 24-30 in. |
Harvest | Harvest the whole plant when the sprouts are 1-2 inches across, just as they begin to flower |