Kohlrabi is a beautiful, unique, and delicious vegetable, that is arguably vastly undervalued and sometimes misunderstood. It has a funny sounding name, a peculiar shape, and it’s a fairly uncommon vegetable in standard American cookbooks. At area farmers markets, that may be changing.
With a flavor somewhat similar to broccoli (but sweeter), and a raw texture somewhat like a crisp apple or pear, kohlrabi can be eaten raw or cooked. Either way, experiment with whether you like to leave the skin on or off, it can be thick and undesirable to some folks.
Right now, you can find kohlrabi from a number of farms including purple kohlrabi from Paper Crane Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market) and B and L Organic (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market), and green kohlrabi from Fiddler’s Green Farm (Asheville City Market).
Raw, it’s great in salads, to make cole slaw out of in lieu of cabbage, or to eat with dips. If making a salad with it this time of year, try adding it to a Middle Eastern style salad by dicing up cucumbers, tomatoes, and the kohlrabi and letting the combined veggies sit chilled for a couple hours before serving. Add herbs such as parsley or mint. You can find greenhouse-grown tomatoes and cucumbers from Thatchmore Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Second Spring Market Garden (Asheville City Market).
Cooked, kohlrabi can be tossed in with a root vegetable roast, a stir-fry, or soup, just to name a few options. Balance the crunch of the kohlrabi with soft mushrooms. Fresh shiitakes are available now from Asheville Fungi (West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market), Meadow Cove Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market), and Thatchmore Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market).
West Asheville Tailgate Market is hosting a market dinner on June 7, featuring a meal prepared on-site by Chef Dan Siloh of Buxton Hall Barbecue, consisting of ingredients sourced from vendors at the market. For more information, visit their website, or stop by the information table at the market next week. Many farmers markets host event throughout their seasons, check out ASAP’s community calendar for local food, farm, and farmers market events.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. Check out the “2016 Tailgate Market Opening Dates” to find out when markets are opening up near you. As always, you can find information about which farm stands are open and other farms to visit in the winter months by visiting our online Local Food Guide.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
