In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen
‘Jacaranda’ broccoli from Territorial Seed Company was my novelty crop this season. I’ve written about my purple sprouting broccoli woes many times—most recently in So Long Purple Sprouting Broccoli. When I ordered the ‘Jacaranda’ seeds, I was hopeful it would approximate the elusive PSB.
The first three of six heads were harvested yesterday and this lovely purple vegetable is on the dinner menu tonight. It is yet to be determined if, like PSB, it turns green when cooked. More will be salad additions if it does.
Days to maturity is about 10-15 less than most broccoli varieties and my plants were smaller than my ‘Premium Crop.’ They are attractive in the garden—blue-green leaves out of direct sun and a deep purple color as the crowns develop. In front of the six plants a row of yellow Iceland poppies add cheer and brilliant contrast.
‘Jacaranda’ is an F1 hybrid cross of broccoli and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea). In the above photo the florets are beginning to spread. Fedco Seeds suggests an alternative to harvesting the crown that allows florets to expand. I’ll try that with the next head that is sizing up and think of PSB. Fedco’s seed description is worth a read. Maybe written on a cold winter’s day in Maine.
The last three large ‘Amazing’ cauliflower heads made their way to the kitchen recently. With such abundance it was easy to share half crowns with neighbors. Every year I start cauliflower season with two original Moosewood Cookbook recipes—Cauliflower Cheese Soup and Cauliflower Cheese Pie. The latter has a grated potato crust so is not as indulgent as it sounds. Cheese and cauliflower just go together. This week I’ll let the sweet and tender florets shine in salads, sautéed with other veggies and tossed with olive oil for a brief roast.
Salads become more varied as the winter garden matures. Here ‘Sea of Red’ lettuce, mesclun, baby leaf kale, celery, carrot and snow pea shoots.
One of this week’s lunch salads with ‘Graffiti’ cauliflower florets, purple carrots and calendula petals.
I’ll depart with a splash of color—Iceland poppies—from my January refresh dining room table.
Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres returns in two weeks.
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