Broccoli 'Romanesco'
A truly fascinating and intriguing vegetable that looks like a cauliflower but grows like a broccoli. This heirloom vegetable dates back to 16th Century Italy and showcases a stunning fractal pattern of carefully constructed whorls of vibrant lime green florets that appear as dramatic peaks across the head of the broccoli. Fading from white to green, they may also appear purple if exposed to too much sun and heat while the heads are developing. Aside from its good looks, the tender heads have a mild creamy, nutty flavour.
Preferring a slightly alkaline soil, like other members of the cabbage family, broccoli is easy to grow, and if you plant the sprouting varieties, they can be continually harvested for up to 3 months. Prepare the ground with plenty of well rotted manure or compost. Always pick the central head first, this will encourage the prolific growth of side shoots. Pick these shoots regularly and do not allow it to flower, as this will stop production of new shoots. In windy gardens the plants might need to be staked as they become top heavy.