Sorrento
Broccoli Raab
(Brassica rapa Ruvo Group)
40 days — Broccoli Raab is also known as Rapini, Broccoletti, Broccoletto, Broccoli di Rape, Cime di Rapa, Rappi, and in Naples, Friarielli. Although related, it is not the same as broccoli.
'Sorrento' is an early spring variety planted for a harvest during the shorter days of spring. The plants reach about thirty inches at harvest time. The leaves are a blue-green color and the heads (florets) are a bit larger and more uniform than other raab varieties.
As part of the cabbage family, it is related to, but its flavor is sharper than, broccoli. Rapini is generally used as cooking greens but can be enjoyed steamed, grilled and sautéed. A quick, favorite recipe of ours is simply to sautée with garlic in olive oil and season with some gourmet salt. The flavor is slightly nutty with a pleasant bitter component. If the flavor is too strong for you, try blanching. Each packet contains 0.5 gram, which is about 200 seeds.
