Hellgate CSA Blog - Astoria, NY

Tatsoi (Botanical name Brassica rapa) is a close relative of chinese cabbage and bok choi.  It has dark-green, spoon-shaped leaves, a subtle peppery flavor, and a crunchy texture.  Originally cultivated in Southern China, tat soi is a cool weather crop that is grown in the spring and fall in the Northeast.
Tat soi can be eaten [...]

At distribution today you may have been mystified at those funny looking root vegetables at the end of the table. Well, that’s kohlrabi, one of the brassicas; the most familiar brassica is broccoli, so they are related. And actually, it’s not a root vegetable, technically - the edible globe is the plant’s swollen [...]

Similar to spinach and beets with a flavor that is bitter, pungent and slightly salty, Swiss chard is truly one of the vegetable valedictorians with its exceptionally impressive list of health promoting nutrients. Although Swiss chard is available throughout the year, its season runs from June through August when it is at its best and [...]

At distribution today, a number of people were mystified as to what mizuna actually is. My readings indicate that mizuna (Brassica juncea var. japonica) is a Japanese mustard green, also known as Xiu Cai, Kyona, Japanese Mustard, Potherb Mustard, Japanese Greens and California Peppergrass.
Mizuna has dandelion-like jagged edge green leaves with a mild, sweet [...]