Braised rapini with garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes from closetcooking.com

Braised rapini with garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes from closetcooking.com

Varieties grown: Quarantina

A classic Italian green, broccoli raab is more closely related Napa cabbage and turnips than actual broccoli. It also goes by the names broccoli rabe and rapini, and you may or may not have seen it in the grocery store before. It is one of our all-time favorite vegetables, tasting like broccoli but slightly spicy and somewhat bitter. It is tender and should be cooked lightly.

How to use it:

  • Sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, then eaten as a side or on top of pasta—our favorite preparation!

  • Steamed like broccoli

  • Cooked lightly into soups

  • Put on pizza (goes well with parmesan, sausage, and carmelized onions)

  • Sauteed and served on sandwiches, especially with pork and provologne