Monday, February 15, 2010

Braised kohlrabi with poppy seeds.

This one is for all you kohlrabi lovers out there. That's right, all three of you!
Unfortunately kohlrabi is one of those underrated vegetables you can find relatively easily (if you know where to look), yet not a lot of people know what it is. Unless you live in Kashmir, where most households serve kohlrabi for dinner several times a week.
I grew up eating kohlrabi, even love it raw. The crisp, juicy flesh makes a terrific salad, when mixed with julienned carrots, crumbled feta cheese, drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and sprinkled with poppy seeds.
I can't remember a time when buying kohlrabi at the grocery store didn't generate and ad hoc meeting of all cashiers, management and whoever else was willing to put in their two cents' worth. They can never agree on what kohlrabi actually is or how much they're selling it for. Strange, since this veg is so versatile and cheap, not to mention delicious.

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I first made this dish with turnips, found the recipe on the Gourmet magazine website (R.I.P). It's quick and satisfying, and can also be made with carrots and parsnips. Serve with creamy yogurt mixed with some grated lemon rind and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. The poppy seeds are a must!
Find the recipe here.

4 comments:

Chocolate Freckles said...

Hey this looks really good and healthy!!! I've never tried that veggie but it actually looks like a potato salad!!

Simones Kitchen said...

I love kohlrabi! (I must be one of those three then..lol) We used to have it quite a bit when I was growing up but it is not something you find very often in stores anymore. I guess it is one of those forgotten vegetables! But you just reminded me I should be making some of this soon. It looks delicious!

Ash said...

I've never tried this either... now I just might!!

Pam said...

We love kohlrabi! I make a dish with it, yellow string beans and bacon. I'm glad to have found another great recipe using it! Thanks!