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+--- Thread: Quick greens (/showthread.php?tid=2193)
Quick greens - Veggie - 16-07-2024
Since I have little luck with cabbages, cauliflowers and anything that forms a head, I'm going to explore the confusing world of broccoletto, broccolini, spigariello and broccoli raab - not to be confused with Cima di rapa - which is related to the turnip. I said it was confusing and I have a niggling feeling that some of these may turn out to be very similar, if not the same.
I seem to have seeds for most of these, including Real Seeds "Quick Heading Calabrese or Broccoli". "Makes heads about 60-80 days after planting out." https://www.realseeds.co.uk/broccoli.html
Broccoletti, also known as broccolini or baby broccoli, is a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. It has long, thin stalks with small florets that resemble broccoli heads. The leaves are edible and tender, with a peppery taste.Broccolini, on the other hand, is a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has longer and thinner stalks than broccoletti, with a smaller broccoli-like head at the top. Broccolini is slightly bitter and has a milder flavor than broccoletti. https://www.handycookbook.com/broccoletti-vs-broccolini-unveiling-the-green-mystery/
Spigariello is sold by Franchi Seeds https://seedsofitaly.com/eden-project-friarielli-broccoli-spigariello-brassica-olearacea/
Sorry if this is a bit muddled - I'm researching as I write. I'll be back tomorrow.
RE: Quick greens - JJB - 16-07-2024
I've grown various broccoli this year with great results. The 'tenderstem' types have been good and the big headed sort, which I thought were autumn cropping, have produced a fine head in early July. The 2 tenderstem were Matsuri and Apollo. I think I prefer Apollo but it is a close race.
RE: Quick greens - Veggie - 16-07-2024
From a Which test:- https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/grow-your-own/article/how-to-grow-sprouting-broccoli-and-best-varieties-a4fp67N07jrx
What most of us call broccoli is in fact calabrese; but search any of the major supermarkets’ online sites for calabrese and you’ll draw a blank. The term isn’t much used in the UK – we just call everything broccoli, but there are several different types. They are all members of the brassica family – Brassica oleracea to be precise. Calabrese is the large-headed type often sold encased in a tight plastic sheath; broccoli is the sprouting type, whether that’s purple, green or white sprouting; Tenderstem is a trademark name for sprouting broccoli (it even has its own website); and then there is Chinese kale, another cultivar of B. oleracea, which has small broccoli-like florets on thick stems with more leaves than sprouting broccoli. You may also come across broccoli raab, or rapini, a turnip relative whose seed is sold as Cima di Rapa, which translates as turnip tops. It’s popular in Italian cuisine and has a slight mustard flavour, slender stems with small florets and lots of leaf. We included it in our trial but it bolted too quickly to provide any harvest.
RE: Quick greens - Small chilli - 17-07-2024
That’s all very interesting. I’ll look forward to your updates on how well they, grow, crop & taste. Some of them I’d happily find a little space for in my garden. Some look too similar and 1 looks very unappealing (Aztec broccoli). Just don’t think I’d get on with the texture.
RE: Quick greens - JJB - 17-07-2024
Who knew there were so many varieties. I chose the 'tenderstem' sort because they said they were relatively dwarf. My mesh isn't able to cover 2-3 rows of tall stuff like purple sprouting, plus PSB is in the ground for so long. The calabrese got sown just because I had the seed and got carried away in spring. All are thriving and producing well. Whilst the lack of butterflies around here is lamentable, my greens are happy.
RE: Quick greens - Vinny - 17-07-2024
I've always believed that broccoli is frost tolerant but calabrese isn't! That's why it is hard to grow calabrese through a British winter period.