Considering we spend our lives trying to eradicate the wild form from our gardens, it is most surprising to learn just how useful is this cultivated strain. The large, thick, dark green leaves are used as a green vegetable for boiling or in a salad. For salads, though, a far more succulent plant can be made by blanching the hearts either by earthing up or tying the leaves together. The roots can be used for forcing or as a substitute for coffee by roasting in an oven until crisp and then grinding. Easy, vigorous and quick growing.
Classification:
Hardy, Perennial
Price:
£1.57 per packet
Guide prices for information only: Euros: € 1.86 US Dollars: $ 2.34