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Early autumn sees the amazing romanesco come into season.
I have to confess I had never seen one before it arrived in last week's veg box, but I've since seen them in several farmers' markets and shops.
Veg Box Recipes visitors tell us they're getting them, too, so here are some interesting facts and tips about this unusual vegetable.
Go straight to romanesco recipes.
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About Romanesco |
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Romanesco looks like an intricate forest of Christmas trees! It has to be one of the most amazing-looking vegetables we've ever seen.
It's almost too beautiful to eat! (Ok, but you get what we mean!).
It's actually a member of the cauliflower family and has a similar taste to cauliflower.
The bonus is that it cooks more reliably - it's got less of a tendency to turn to a slimey mush. And it looks amazing on the dinner plate.
It looks like a 3-D puzzle, with the pointy bits being made up of pointy bits, which are made up of pointy bits. It almost makes me want to get the magnifying glass out...
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How To Choose |
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Use your romanesco as fresh as possible. It's packed with vitamin C, which deteriorates with storage.
Choose one that feels firm and check the stem is still creamy white, where it was cut.
If your romanesco has broken points (showing the white underneath), then use it the day you get it (or as soon as possible), to prevent it going off. |  |
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How To Store |
| Keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days. After that, it starts going softer and slightly brown. |
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How To Use |
Remove the outer leaves and the chunky stalk, as you would for cauliflower.
Break the points off into medium-sized florets.
Being high in vitamin C, it's best to steam it or cook it in as little water as possible, because the vitamin C is water-soluble.
Cook until soft (up to 10 minutes for steaming, 5-8 minutes for boiling).
You can either serve it as it is, as a side dish, or try romanesco cheese.
However you choose to cook romanesco, be careful not to stir it too much during cooking, because it looks better with the "Christmas tree" florets intact. |
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Suggested Recipes |
Romanesco Cheese
Romanesco - Simple Side Dish
Got one? Send us your romanesco recipe! |
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