I’ve mentioned before how much of a podcast addict I am. I have a huge list of them that I listen to regularly. One of my new favorites is called Surprisingly Awesome (now defunct) featuring Adam Davidson and Adam McCay. As you might guess by the name, each episode they try to convince each other that something that is apparently boring is actually, surprisingly, awesome.

A recent episode was on Broccoli and I knew it would be awesome because it’s one of my favorite veggies! Interesting facts of the podcast for me:

  • Some people are genetically disposed to taste broccoli as very bitter.
  • Broccoli is in the plant species Brassica Oleracea which also includes cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. That’s right. Those are all the same species!
  • Kohlrabi is apparently very delicious and won the in-episode taste test.

Maybe because it looks weird or because it has a weird name, but kohlrabi is not a very common vegetable in U.S. grocery stores.

Umm… that needs to change!

I maybe had it once or twice before I listened to this episode but I immediately added it to my grocery list for the next week.

It’s a delicious vegetable. Even broccoli haters will love kohlrabi. It’s sweet, crunchy, and almost almost tastes like an apple!

In an effort to try to convince you to give it a shot, here’s how to prep the strange vegetable and also a few ideas for how to eat kohlrabi!

Kohlrabi Prep

What you are eating here is a bulbous stem. That’s what you’re after so start your kohlrabi prep by cutting the leaves down to the bulbous part of the stem. (Hint: Save the leaves for later… see the end of this post!)

How to Eat Kohlrabi prep
Stems off!

The skin of this stem is annoyingly tough to peel. A vegetable peeler won’t really do the trick. Instead, just take a paring knife and carve off the outer skin of the stem, revealing the lighter interior.

How to Eat Kohlrabi
Peeling is the hardest part.

Once peeled, you’ll be left with light green bulb. It’s such a delicious little thing that I’m not kidding when I say I could eat it like an apple. It’s crunchy and slightly sweet and doesn’t need much help to be delicious.

Why is this vegetable not more popular?!

How to Eat Kohlrabi
Good Eats.

How to Eat Kohlrabi

For starters, I like kohlrabi best raw. So none of these recipes involve cooking it. That means they are really easy and perfect for getting started with the veggie. Pick one and dig in.

Make a Salad

How to Eat Kohlrabi Salad

Kohlrabi is an easy addition to salad. Slice the peeled bulb into thin strips and toss it with a few other veggies and a light dressing. I thought it was particularly good with a little mint.

Use it for Dippers

How to Eat Kohlrabi Dippers

If you leave the kohlrabi strips chunkier, they make great dippers. Add them to your next veggie platter and serve them with hummus, ranch dressing, or any other dip you would normally serve veggies with!

Make Raw Chips

How to Eat Kohlrabi chips

This is a kind of fun one. Once you’ve peeled the kohlrabi, slice it into very thin chips. I actually used my mandolin for these, but you could just do your best with a knife also. Sprinkle the chips with a little salt and chili powder. Good snacking!

Braised Kohlrabi Greens

How to Eat Kohlrabi Greens

As far as the greens go on your kohlrabi, don’t toss them! Cut off any thick parts of the stem and add them to a skillet with a knob of butter and pinches of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cover the skillet and cook the greens over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until they wilt down. They end up being almost like braised collard greens but much sweeter.

Any Kohlrabi lovers out there?! Leave a comment if you have any ideas on how to use it!

Wonderful Ways to Eat Kohlrabi! Kohlrabi is my new favorite vegetable to eat raw! Toss it on salads, use it as a dipper, or make raw veggie chips out of it! Oh... and don't forget the greens! Check out the post to see how to transform this vegetable into total deliciousness. | macheesmo.com