1.4.12 Crunch Factor

Whole kohlrabi1 790 xxx
photos by gluttonforlife
A while back, I believe I mentioned a desire to explore some lesser-known ingredients with you. I've been keeping a running list—including pickled tapioca, sorghum molasses and dried Persian limes—so do let me know if there's anything you're curious about. This is kohlrabi—from the German "kohl," meaning cabbage and "rabi," meaning turnip. It's a brassica, like cauliflower, kale and collards, and has all the same nutritional benefits: low in carbs and calories, high in fiber and antioxidants. It also comes in a deep purple color. Slightly sweet and fresh, with the faintest peppery bite, kohlrabi can be eaten raw or cooked. If raw, it needs to be peeled, but after cooking the tougher outer skin softens up plenty. With all the cozy soups and hearty braises we're eating at this wintry time of year, it's nice to have some cool, crunchy salads as a counterpoint, (here's one with celery root, and another with radicchio and grapefruit), so I used my kohlrabi in a crisp, sprightly slaw.
Kohlrabi 2 790 xxx
like the happy marriage of a cabbage and a turnip
Look for kohrabi bulbs no larger than 3" in diameter with healthy green leaves which can also be eaten. The tenderest, smallest bulbs won't even need to be peeled, and can be snacked on out of hand like an apple. Try grating kohlrabi raw for salads and slaws, slice thinly and sprinkle with salts and herbs, or cut into sticks to use with dips. You can steam it, either whole for about 30 minutes, or thinly sliced for 5-10, or dredge in flour and briefly fry. It goes well with lemon, butter and herbs or curry. Add it sliced or cubed to soups, stews or stir-fries. Kohlrabi will last for a few weeks in plastic in the fridge; store the leaves and bulbs separately.
Kohlrabi 790 xxx
the fine art of chopping
I can't tell you what a difference my new knife makes with any slicing and chopping tasks. (It makes me so curious about this one!) With any slaw, texture is quite important. It's nice to have all the ingredients roughly the same shape/thickness. If you don't have the time/patience to julienne like this, you can always use a hand grater or food processor.
Pink lady 790 xxx
in the pink
The Pink Lady apple is among my favorites. It's a blush apple with a firm texture and a balanced sweet-tart flavor that offsets the mild, slightly radish-y kohlrabi.
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in the sticks
Leave the skin on, so the slaw is not quite so albino.
Jalapeño 790 xxx
flavor boosters
To spice things up, I used what I had on hand: jalapeño, lemon zest and tarragon. I was inspired to build on the slight licorice flavor of the tarragon with the addition of some fennel seeds.
Mise 790 xxx
ready to go
There is something very satisfying about setting out all your ingredients—your mise en place—as you prepare to assemble a dish. It eliminates all that frantic scrambling about when you haven't properly read the recipe.
Fennel seeds 790 xxx
seeds of an idea
Toasting the fennel seeds in a dry skillet brings out their oils and creates a richer, more complex flavor and smell. They brown very quickly, and will taste bitter when burnt, so cook over low heat and watch them carefully.
Grinding 790 xxx
back to the grind
I have a dedicated spice grinder for this, but you can also use a hand mill or a mortar and pestle, especially if you don't need a very fine powder.
Mustard 790 xxx
good to the grain
I felt like a good strong mustard would complement the Germanic roots of the kohlrabi, and I'm always looking for ways to use my Kozlik's. This Canadian company makes so many delectable mustards, it's tempting to collect them all. The one above is their Triple Crunch, made with three kinds of seeds and Canadian Club whiskey. It's almost like a spicy, vegetarian caviar.
Slaw2 790 xxx
see slaw
As you work, be sure to drop your slices of kohlrabi and apple into the waiting lemon juice, to prevent browning. Once you toss everything together, the flecks of red apple skin, yellow zest and green tarragon and jalapeño make a very pretty combination for the eye as well as the palate. This slaw couldn't be healthier, more refreshing or more delicious.
 

Kohlrabi & Apple Slaw

serves 4
  • — 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • — 2 (about 1 pound total) kohlrabi, cold from fridge
  • — 2 Pink Lady apples, cold from fridge
  • — 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • — 1 tablespoon minced tarragon leaves
  • — 1 tablespoon minced jalapeño
  • — 1 heaping teaspoon toasted ground fennel seeds
  • — 1 tablespoon coarse-grain mustard, like Kozlik's Triple Crunch
  • — 2 tablespoons walnut oil
  • sea salt, to taste

Place lemon juice in a large bowl.

Peel kohlrabi and cut off any gnarled ends. Cut in half, then into 1/4"-thick slices. Julienne into long, thin ribbons. Toss in lemon juice.

Wash apples. Quarter and core (leave peel intact). Cut into 1/4"-thick slices, then into thin ribbons. Toss with kohlrabi.

Add remaining ingredients and toss well, tasting before seasoning with salt.

If not serving right away, cover tightly with saran and chill.

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6 Comments

I'm a sucker for slaws of all sorts, and I love kohlrabi, so I'll give this a try. GORGEOUS photos. Here's to a glorious, peaceful 2012, and so glad to have found you. We'll have to plan a meet up this year--maybe Alana, too. Cheers!
Paige Orloff on January 4, 2012 at 1:48 pm —
Happy New Year, Paige! I would love to convene somewhere in the Hudson Valley!
laura on January 4, 2012 at 2:16 pm —
i love *everything* about this post- the Pink Lady is my fave, too- and Kozlik's, well, living in TO, you can imagine how i feel about it! kohlrabi is used in persian stews a lot- i am going to share this with my vegetarian persian friend immediately. love the 'slaw-style' recipe. x s
s on January 6, 2012 at 10:24 am —
Hmmm, maybe you'll post a recipe for a Persian stew with kohlrabi, Shayma?
laura on January 6, 2012 at 12:45 pm —
I make a pureed soup with onion, apple, kohlrabi and creme fraiche; topped with a pounded walnut-parsley emulsion. One of my favorite vegetables.
Michelle on January 9, 2012 at 5:41 pm —
That really sounds wonderful, and the emulsion swirled through must be gorgeous!
laura on January 9, 2012 at 6:01 pm —