Rapini

Also known as broccoli raab, this vegetable has green leaves with a strong flavor that is slightly bitter. It is a relative to the turnip ("rapa" is the Italian word for turnip) and does not grow in a head, but instead grows in stalks, which have small buds with tiny yellow flowers growing at the end.

Rapini is available from November to March in Chinese markets, produce stores and is becoming more available in supermarkets. When selecting, look for crisp leaves, moist, green stems and firm stalks, avoiding those with cracked stalks, wilted leaves and bud heads that are overly bloomed. Rapini will keep up to five days when wrapped in plastic and stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.