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    How to Plant and Grow Leeks

    Leeks in garden

    Leeks are grown for their thick, juicy, long stalks. They are a mild-flavored alternative to the onion. Leeks require a long growing season—up to 170 days. They grow best in cool, mild weather. Leeks are nearly a year-round garden grower. Start leeks indoors in winter for planting out in very early spring for an early […] More

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    Seven Ways to Cook and Serve Asparagus

    Asparagus in kitchen3

    Fresh and quick, serve raw or cooked asparagus in salads or as a side dish during spring. Cut fresh raw asparagus into one-inch lengths with kitchen scissors. Then add them to the greens salad to add a bit of substance. Choose firm, plump, straight, round asparagus spears with tips that are tight and compact. Give […] More

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    Four Tasty Ways to Cook and Serve Florence Fennel

    Fennel roasted

    For a light delicate taste reminiscent of licorice and anise, choose Florence fennel. Florence fennel–which is also known as bulb fennel and in Italy as finnochio—is a pale-green, feathery-topped vegetable, with celery-like stems and swollen bulb-like bases of overlapping broad layers. The harvest season for this cool-weather vegetable is early fall through spring. How to […] More

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    Four Ways to Cook and Serve Cardoon

    Cardoon steamed

    Cardoon is related to the artichoke and looks much like an artichoke. Cardoon is prepared like asparagus and celery and is served as a vegetable side dish or added to soups or stews. Cooked it is soft and meaty. Cardoon has a more bitter than sweet taste that hints of artichoke, asparagus, celery, and salsify. […] More

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    Ten Ways to Cook and Serve Kohlrabi

    Kohlrabi steamed

    Cook kohlrabi or eat it raw. Kohlrabi is crunchy like radish and tastes like a mild, sweet turnip with a bit of radish tang. Young kohlrabi is juicy and crisp and delicate. The peak kohlrabi harvest season is mid-spring to mid-fall. In mild-winter regions, kohlrabi and can be grown and harvested through the winter. Favorite […] More

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    How to Cook and Serve Bamboo Shoots

    Fresh bamboo shoots

    Bamboo shoots slowly simmered have a delicate, bitter flavor and earthy aroma. Fresh bamboo shoots can be sliced and boiled, sautéed or braised, and served as an accompaniment to meat and fish. They can be slow-cooked with other vegetables or stir-fried. The crunchy texture of young, tender bamboo shoots makes them a great choice served […] More

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    Tasty Ways to Cook and Serve Celery

    Celery sliced

    Celery can be eaten raw or cooked. Celery brings texture and a mild flavor to salads, hors d’oeuvres, soups, stuffings, stews, and stock. It can be steamed, braised, or sautéed and served as a side dish. Celery tastes best when it comes to harvest in cool weather, late spring, or in autumn. How to choose […] More