Guy Lon (Chinese Broccoli)
IN SEASON - September, October
Also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale, guy lon is a slightly bitter leaf vegetable featuring thick, flat, glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems and a small number of tiny, almost vestigial flower heads similar to those of broccoli. Its flavor is similar to that of broccoli, but even sweeter. You can eat the whole thing- leaf, stem, and flowers!
STORAGE TIPS
Do not store greens in paper bags. Store unwashed with a dampened paper towel in a perforated plastic bag and refrigerate. By changing the towel occasionally and keeping it damp, you’ll be able to store the greens for up to a week. Freezing: Greens freeze well. Wash, then blanch for 3 minutes, drain and plunge into ice water. Chill for two minutes; drain. Pack in freezer containers or bags. Use within 6 months.
CULINARY TIPS
The stalks and leaves are often cooked separately, clooking the stalks first, until tender and the leaves until wilted. It's texture when raw or cooked is the same as regular broccoli, making it ideal to use raw in salads, steam cooked as a side dish, and in stir-fry.
RECIPES
Photo: Mypcgarden.ca