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Kohlrabi Salad with Pea Shoots

(recipe, Ivy Manning)


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Introduction

Kohlrabi is a member of the odiferous brassica family (a cousin of cabbage), but it has a rather benign flavor, something like a cross between green cabbage and broccoli, yet milder and crisper. This recipe — from chef Fearn Smith of Portland's Farm Café — should change your mind if you ever thought of kohlrabi as an "ick" vegetable.

Ingredients

  1. 2 large red or green kohlrabi bulbs
  2. 1 large carrot, peeled
  3. 1 tsp. fennel seeds
  4. 2 Tbsp. rice-wine vinegar
  5. ½ tsp. kosher salt
  6. ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  7. 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  8. 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  9. 2 cups pea shoots (optional)

Steps

  1. With a sharp chef's knife, cut the tough outer skin and stems from the kohlrabi. Julienne the kohlrabi with a mandoline or sharp knife (you will have about 4 cups), and then julienne the carrot.
  2. Toast the fennel seeds in a small dry sauté pan over medium heat until they begin to brown slightly and smell toasty. Transfer them to a mortar and pestle or clean spice grinder and grind into a coarse powder.
  3. Combine the fennel powder, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the oils. Pour over the vegetables and toss to coat.
  4. Chop the pea shoots into 1-inch pieces and toss into the salad immediately before serving.

Note

Kohlrabi is available almost year-round, but you'll find it most often in late spring to early summer. Small to medium kohlrabi (no bigger than a fist) have the mildest flavor. If possible, buy them with the leaves still attached, as the leaves are tasty when cooked. Don't buy kohlrabi with yellow or wilting leaves.