Radish, Raperonzolo Rampion

Rampion, Raperonzolo. Mid-early annual plant. Young leaves are used in salads, and long roots can be enjoyed as a radish.  A very old German heirloom looks much like a radish and is used much the same except the tops may also be used as a green.  The leaves and root are used in salads, although they were cooked in the past. The root has an agreeable nutty flavor.

A popular vegetable in Europe It was widely cultivated in the 17th century in central Europe.   Rampion has a very tasty root and top green with a colorful history. There is a Grimm Brothers tale about the unfortunate child Rapunzel (German for 'rampion') who was given up to a witch after her father was caught stealing these roots from the witch's garden.

The plant has a pretty, bell-shaped flowers

Campanula rapunculus, (17th C) German 'Peasant Root Veg', Leaves used as spinach & roots look like a long radish. Can be cut early for salad leaf or left & harvested from late Autumn when the roots are long, best cooked in stews or sauces & it has the most beautiful purple flower which has to be seen! Hardy, Ht: 12 to 16 " – A root, when full-grown, is often 10 to 12 in long & carrot shape, whitish on the outside & in.  When Eaten, the thick, outer covering of root is removed & dressed like Salsify/Scorzonera offering a rich nutty flavor.

 SOWING - Sow very tiny seeds (mixed with sand) undercover early spring & pot on as soon as big enough to handle, Harvest Late summer for leaf or Autumn for root. Full sun or partial shade, Ht: 30 to 40 cm, prefers compact soils. (Leave until 2nd year for flowers)