
A rather spectacular Kohlrabi by Petr Kratochvil (public domain image)
Kohlrabi is a versatile member of the brassica family; in the winter, you can use it in hearty soups and stews or create a delicious mash with olive oil and salt and pepper. The summer crop of kohlrabi is less fibrous than during the winter and it is ideally suited for summer salads and kohlrabi slaw. Try adding grated kohlrabi and carrot together with a mustard dressing.
This kohlrabi soup – my own recipe – is perfect for a light lunch in the garden. The combination of peas and mint help to bring out the crisp taste of the kohlrabi, resulting in a delicious summer soup.
SUMMERY KOHLRABI SOUP
(serves 4)
Ingredients
2 tbsp good-quality olive oil
2 large onions, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 kohlrabi, peeled and diced
2 carrots, diced
3 heaped tbsp frozen garden peas
3.5 cups/1.5 pints vegetable stock
2 heaped tbsp chopped fresh mint
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper
1. Saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil for approx. 10 minutes, until they are golden.
2. Add the kohlrabi and carrots to the pan. Saute gently for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the vegetable stock and the peas. Bring to the boil, then immediately turn down the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the peas are cooked.
4. Add the chopped mint, season with salt and pepper to taste and blend.
I haven’t had kohlrabi in years (my mother-in-law used to cook it Switzerland). I don’t even know if I’ve ever seen it here in Texas!
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Maybe there’s a kohlrabi shortage in Texas! It makes a very tasty soup and I love the slightly tangy taste of it when it’s finely chopped in a salad. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
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I have never seen a kohlrabi! I wonder what it tastes like?! Your soup looks delicious!
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Kohlrabi is a relative of the cabbage family but it is quite firm and white. You have to peel them before you eat them. It tastes very fresh, crunchy and has a tangy, sweet flavor, like a radish but a bit milder. Thanks for your comment!
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This is very interesting! I love raw kohlrabi in salads, but I have never thought to cook it! Sadly, I have yet to see a kohlrabi in Spain, so I’ll have to wait a bit to try it out.
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The soup was a bit of an experiment. I’ve never made kohlrabi soup before but it turned out really nice.
By the way, talking of food, do you get flat peaches where you are in Spain? I’ve noticed that a lot of supermarkets here are selling them and I wondered whether they are common in Spain. They taste sweeter and are more fragrant than regular peaches.
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Yeah, they are actually really popular here! They are called paraguayas, but in England I have heard them referred to as donut peaches! I totally agree that they are far superior to the regular peach!
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It’s interesting to learn the Spanish name for them. Yeah, they are definitely much tastier! 🙂
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