Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable. Despite its secondary name, kohlrabi is not a root vegetable and does not belong to the turnip family. Instead, it belongs to the Brassica, or mustard family and is related to cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower ( 1 ).
What Is Kohlrabi?
The word kohlrabi is German for “cabbage turnip” (kohl as in cole-slaw, and rübe for turnip) though kohlrabi is not a root vegetable at all. Its a brassica—like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower—and those cute bulbous shapes grow above ground, not below.
Kohlrabi is a rather versatile vegetable when it comes to how to prepare. We usually eat them raw—peeled, sliced and added to a salad or used for serving with a dip.
How To Prepare Kohlrabi
You can also steam, boil, bake, grill, or roast them. Just peel away the outside thick skin first. Add them to soups or stews. Grate them and toss with grated carrots or apples.
Boil them and mash them with potatoes or other root vegetables. Stir-fry them with other vegetables, or julienne them and fry them like potatoes. Look for Indian recipes using kohlrabi as they are often used in Indian cuisine.
The leaves are also perfectly edible, and can be cooked up like kale.
What is it? Kohlrabi!
FAQ
What is another name for kohlrabi?
What is kohlrabi good for?
What is kohlrabi called in America?
What does a kohlrabi taste like?
What does kohlrabi stand for?
Kohlrabi ( German: [koːlˈʁaːbi] ⓘ; pronounced / koʊlˈrɑːbi / in English; scientific name Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group ), also called German turnip or turnip cabbage, is a biennial vegetable, a low, stout cultivar of wild cabbage.
Is kohlrabi a root vegetable?
Despite its secondary name, kohlrabi is not a root vegetable and does not belong to the turnip family. Instead, it belongs to the Brassica, or mustard family and is related to cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower ( 1 ). It has long leafy stems and a round bulb that’s usually purple, pale green, or white.
What does kohlrabi look like?
Kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable, just like cabbage, broccoli and kale. It comes into season in the summer time. The funny-looking vegetable is about the size and shape of an orange, with a bunch of leafy stems sticking out. It has thick skin that can range from pale green to purple, though the inside is always a very pale yellow.
Which country eats kohlrabi?
Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip or cabbage turnip, is very popular in Northern and Eastern European countries like Germany and Hungary as well as northern Vietnam and eastern India. The funny-looking vegetable is part of the same family as broccoli and cabbage and can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. What Is Kohlrabi?