New Year, New Vegetable: 2014 Might Be the Year of Kohlrabi

This article was originally published on Healthy Way to Cook and is republished here with permission.


2013 was definitely the year of kale.  Kale was pretty much everywhere.  Kale chips, kale salad, kale memorabilia exists- we just became obsessed with the leafy green super-hero.  Kale is extremely nutritious, and as far as leafy greens go, it is one of the more versatile and delicious.  You wouldn’t really put swiss chard in a salad, but you can certainly havFe a delicious kale salad, and you can sautee it too.  But it may be time for kale to step aside, there is a new It-food in town.  Kohlrabi.  Pronounced, coal-raw-bee, kohlrabi is a pretty interesting looking vegetable.  The word translates into “cabbage turnip,” and the taste is an interesting combination of broccoli, radish, and cabbage, but pretty sweet and yummy.  Kohlrabi has yet to attain kale status in the US, but has been used in other parts of the world, like India and China for a pretty long time.  Kohlrabi is the perfect food to take off in 2014.  It is pretty ugly looking, but also kind of quirky, which probably boosts its appeal to the foodie-hipsters of the world.

If you are willing to give kohlrabi a shot in the new year, here are 3 recipes that will allow you to harness the full power of this new star vegetable. And if you just want the basics, here are the 5 of the main ways kohlrabi is prepared.

1. Kohlrabi Salad with Cilantro and Lime (via Feasting at Home)

Since kohlrabi is crunchy and a little bit sweet, it is perfect for making a fresh slaw. Enhanced with lime, orange and cilantro, this slaw is the perfect BBQ side dish.  If you want to be trendy at all of the parties you attend summer 2014, be prepared to master this slaw.

2. Fresh Mozzarella and Roasted Kohlrabi Crostini (via Food 52)

Not only is kohlrabi delicious raw, it is also perfect for roasting. Layered with cheese, and crispy lemons and shallots, these crostini look delicious, and would be the perfect appetizer.

Kohlrabi and Greens Pie (via Souvlaki for the Soul)

If you are maybe a little hesitant to make kohlrabi a star, then this Greek style pie is the perfect hiding place.  Mixed with spinach, swiss chard, and leeks, you will taste the kohlrabi just enough to decide if you want to showcase the weird little bulbs a little more the next time you pick some up.

Will you be trying kohlrabi?

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