The mini cabbage Brussels sprouts are the tiniest member of the brassica family and probably also the most controversial. Early varieties were already cultivated by the Ancient Romans. The Belgians are however credited for introducing them to the masses, hence the name. Like many brassica members Brussels sprouts are winter vegetables and a staple for … Continue reading Brussels sprouts – Rosenkohl

The pale root Before potatoes and sugar cane were introduced to Europeans, parsnips were used to make savoury and sweet dishes for an affordable price. Related to parsley, celeriac and carrot it’s often used in combination with these foods and can work well as substitute for them in some dishes. A very popular ingredient in … Continue reading Parsnip – Pastinake

The curly cabbage The distinctive curly leaves make kale an especially beautiful member of the brassica family. Appreciated for its unusually high protein content, kale has been an important part of the Northern European diet for a long time. The winter vegetable is popular in warming stews and can even be used to make wraps. … Continue reading Kale – Grünkohl

The little green tree The humble broccoli is part of the Brassica family which also includes cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts. Just like many of its relatives broccoli is also a winter vegetable that makes the colder months more enjoyable. While it is now enjoyed all across the world, broccoli has its roots in Italy … Continue reading Broccoli – Brokkoli

The peppery leaf Nowadays considered a quintessential Italian staple, rocket was already cultivated by Ancient Egyptians and Romans. The latter believed it to be an aphrodisiac. With its peppery taste it’s instantly recognizable and it's not surprising that it belongs to the large family of brassica, just like cabbage and broccoli. Rocket is surprisingly easy … Continue reading Rocket – Rucola

The Italian Chicory Radicchio is a form of chicory and because it originated and is frequently used in this country's cuisine, it is also named Italian chicory. Even though the round varieties resemble red cabbage the flavours are completely different, with radicchio being bitter, crisp and very fresh and red cabbage having a distinct cabbage … Continue reading Radicchio

The sweetest of the squashes For more than 12,000 years humans have been enjoying squash. Botanically squashes belong to the Cucurbitaceae family which also includes cucumbers, melons and courgettes. Squashes originated in Middle and South America and are a hugely important crop for the entire American continent. One of the most flavourful of the squashes … Continue reading Butternut Squash – Butternusskürbis

The sweet root Even though sweet potato shares its origin and name with the humble potato, they aren’t directly related. Sweet potatoes aren’t a member of the nightshade family but instead belong to the bindweed family, which also includes the eponymous pesky weed found in many gardens. However the name is fitting as it’s a … Continue reading Sweet potato – Süßkartoffel

The rainbow vegetable This leafy green is a relative of beetroot and has a similar, if not slightly more intense flavour than spinach. Swiss chard’s origins are in the south of Europe and the vegetable is especially popular in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It’s available all year round but is especially delicious from … Continue reading Swiss Chard – Mangold