All about green cauliflower

What is Romanesco?

• Green Cauliflower - Latin: Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. Botrytis, also known as Romanesco, is a variety of cauliflower from near Rome. Because of its shape and green inflorescence, many people think that Romanesco is a hybrid between cauliflower and broccoli. In fact, it belongs to the cauliflower genus. Various varieties of Romanesco such as Veronica or Navona were created through targeted breeding.
• The green cauliflower originally comes from near Rome. To this day, it is particularly popular in Italy and France.
• Although the Romanesco can be grown in Germany, it likes it a little warmer and does not tolerate frost. Accordingly, the green cauliflower offered in Germany often comes from southern countries such as Italy and Spain.

Green cauliflower dishes

• Romanesco has a stronger and spicier flavor than the standard white cauliflower. The longer you do that Vegetables cook, the more intensively it tastes of cabbage. Before cooking, remove the stem and leaves and separate the florets. Fresh green cauliflower can be eaten raw or prepared like regular cauliflower by boiling, frying or blanching. When cooking, add some sugar and lemon juice to help the romanesco keep its green color.
• Green cauliflower not only looks great on the plate, it is also easy to digest and rich in nutrients. In contrast to its white variant, it contains more vitamin C, more protein and more minerals. It also contains carotene, provitamin A, B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.


Cooking cauliflower and broccoli together - is that possible?

Would you like to prepare a delicious casserole with cauliflower and broccoli? Then ask yourself...

• Eat the Romanesco raw in a delicious salad or add it to a vegetable soup. It is also ideal when cooked garnish to Meat and fish. Or cook a vegetable pan, for example with beans, tomatoes and onions and finish with Romanesco.

Romanesco in your own garden

• Just grow the green cauliflower in your garden. It only needs a nutrient-rich soil and should be sown in a sunny spot. Sow them at least 60 centimeters apart in the garden between April and May. Alternatively, first grow it in pots and transplant it into the garden in July.
• Harvest the green cauliflower from September when the leaves are still closed. Before preparing it, it is best to clean it briefly in cold salt water to remove dirt and small pests.

Although the Romanesco looks like a cross between a white cauliflower and broccoli by its appearance, it is clearly a member of the cauliflower family. Originally from Italy, green cauliflower is richer in nutrients and vitamins than its white relative. You can combine it well with other vegetables and eat it with meat and fish. As a hobby gardener, you can simply grow the Romanesco yourself in your garden and enjoy it in autumn.