All is well in our house now, because we finally tracked down rapini seeds!
Also known as cima di rapa or broccoli raab/rabé, these are our staple winter green, growing abundantly in our backyard. All vegetable seeds have been in short supply in Sydney in recent months, so we were pretty happy to discover that The Italian Gardener still had these available. Here’s one of our favourite recipes for this slightly bitter green leaf, but these days we often eat it simply stir fried in garlic and oil. It also freezes brilliantly, so we get to eat it year round.
The name “Quarantina” refers to the fact that the plant takes an average of 40 days to flower (there are also slower flowering varieties, but we’re far too impatient to try them).
Ironically, the origin of the word “quarantine” is not unrelated – according to dictionary.com, it used to refer to “a period, originally 40 days, of detention or isolation imposed upon ships, persons, animals, or plants on arrival at a port or place, when suspected of carrying some infectious or contagious disease.” So these really are the perfect leafy green to be planting now! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I’m so glad you were able to find seeds! Seeds of pretty much any kind are in high demand here as well.
I LOVE Rapini and bought and ate every week for 1 1/2 years and then went…….WOOF, I need a break :) Am ready for more now, esp after seeing that post. Neighbors have tried to grow it but it bolts too quickly here.
Enjoy, enjoy!
What a great site, I’ved saved, will peruse… I love how they detail how to use/cook the veg.
Can you grow a couple of plants for seeds, harvest them, and have them for next year?
We’ve done that for years – it mostly self sows in our yard – but last year’s drought took out most of our garden!
My father always used to make us eat cime di rapa growing up, his assertion was that “they purify your blood” :)
Celia, I always think of you went I see cima di rapa seeds for sale.
when oops!
My mother in law cooks rape that grow on their own in her backyard. I think they are an Italian staple.