The Italian Gardener

Cima di rapa, also called rapini and broccholi rabe is a delicious green winter vegetable that tastes slightly peppery, cooks quickly and is best braised boiled or steamed until al dente in a little olive oil flavoured with chilli and/or garlic to be served as a side dish or as a sauce with pasta. Novantina is slower growing than quarantina has a larger head of buds.

Sow throughout the year in temperate regions, 1 seed/2.5cm in rows 30cm apart).6cm deep. Thin to 1 plant 10cm. Try to pick the broccoli-like heads before they flower. About 30 days to harvest so succession plant every week for continuous supply.

To see an article on Cima di Rapa in Gardening Australia by Maggie Beer click here.