Cabbage Romanesco is a vegetable that has appeared in the diet of Russians relatively recently. In addition to its amazing and unusual shape, this cabbage has a unique set of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and nutrients. What Romanesco is, we will consider in this article.
Roman cabbage
Cabbage Romanesco is one of the varieties of cultivars that belongs to the same varietal variety as cauliflower. It got its name from places of its origin, "Romanesco" from Italian translates as "Roman".
Some sources claim that the history of cabbage can be traced back to the 16th century, but it is worth noting that it was widely used in international markets at the end of the 20th century. This cabbage in appearance resembles a cauliflower, but has a light green hue. The version that this species is a hybrid of broccoli and cauliflower has no confirmation in authoritative sources.
Grade description
Cabbage Romanesco is an annual plant whose main distinguishing feature is its unusual shape. The inflorescences of this cabbage are arranged in the form of a logarithmic spiral, while their number exactly corresponds to the Fibonacci number. Carefully examining each bud of inflorescence, you can see that it consists of a large number of small copies of itself. This self-similar form is repeated many times, becoming less and less.
A photo of Romanesco cabbage will help to understand this unique and amazing plant shape. This variety contains a wide variety of nutrients and trace elements. Let's talk about them.
Vitamin content
This cabbage contains vitamin A, which helps the body in the fight against various infectious diseases, has a positive effect on the health of the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin K contained in cabbage gives the body vital energy and has a positive effect on blood coagulation. Vitamin C has a good effect on the state of the circulatory system and improves the process of blood reproduction.
In this cabbage there are B vitamins that improve blood circulation, as well as the work of the nervous system, which increase the metabolic rate. Vitamin PP normalizes cholesterol and prevents the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Ascorbic acid increases stress resistance and lowers the risk of respiratory system diseases. Calcium contained in Romanesco cabbage strengthens teeth and bones, normalizes heart function and its rhythm. The iron that is present in this vegetable improves the thyroid gland and boosts immunity. Zinc improves the regenerative processes in the body.
Other beneficial substances
In Romanesco cauliflower, in addition to the richness of vitamins, there is a large amount of dietary fiber and minerals. Phosphorus, selenium and fluorine favorably affect the integrity of tooth enamel. Selenium is a body protector against carcinogens and helps to better absorb food antioxidants. It is also found in cartilage and is necessary to maintain healthy joints.
Selenium is a component of enzymes that are responsible for the detoxification of cells. It also has a beneficial effect on the hormonal background, improves the functioning of smooth and skeletal muscles. Romanesco is a source of folic acid, which helps the body absorb the minerals and vitamins obtained from other products, and also normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Growing Cabbage Romanesco
Before planting cabbage, it is necessary to select and prepare a place for planting. Best for this type of cabbage is the soil in which potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers or onions previously grew. Where radishes, turnips, cabbage or lettuce used to grow, Romanesco is not recommended to be planted.
Seedling beds should be located on the side of the site that has better illumination. The soil itself should not have high acidity, this cabbage is best suited for alkaline soil. To prepare the soil it is recommended to liming it by adding wood ash to it at the rate of up to 0.5 kg per 1 m 2 , and you can also treat the soil with compost.
Planting seeds of cabbage Romanesco
Sowing seeds is carried out in the middle or at the end of April. The air temperature in the room in which Romanesco seedlings will be located must be maintained in the range from +20 to +22 ° .
After 30 days, boxes with sprouts must be moved to a place with a lower temperature, while lighting must be monitored. If this is not done properly, the seedlings can stretch out. Watering seedlings is carried out as the topsoil dries.
After 40 to 60 days from the time of sowing, the seedlings must be transferred to a constant place of growth and planted at a distance of at least 60 cm from each other. The distance between each row should be at least half a meter.
It is also worth considering the climatic conditions of the region and, depending on this, transplant cabbage so that the ovary of inflorescences occurs in early summer. The most suitable temperature for this is from +17 to +18 ° C.
Cabbage care
Caring for Romanesco cabbage is simple and does not require special knowledge and skills. Watering it requires abundant, but it must be calculated so that the soil is not oversaturated with moisture.
It is necessary to periodically inspect plants and remove pests that may appear on them. Most often, Romanesco suffers from caterpillar attacks that destroy the leaves. It is recommended to spray plants with special pests. You can also plant plants next to Romanesco that repel insects, such as mint, garlic, marigolds or celery.
Periodically, it is necessary to weed and loosen the soil around the plants, in order to avoid the appearance of weeds and to enrich the soil with oxygen. The use of organic top dressing and mineral fertilizers is recommended, such as: superphosphate, mullein, potassium chloride, ammonium nitrate and others. Over the entire period of growth of dressing, add no more than three times and in the same proportions as when caring for other varieties and types of cabbage.
Harvesting
Harvested cabbage of the Romanesco variety as the heads ripen completely. If cabbage is planted in early summer, then in mid-October it will be possible to get a good harvest. No need to delay the harvest, since in this case Romanesco will lose its juiciness and taste, as well as the content of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in it will decrease.
It is best to collect Romanesco in the morning until the cabbage has warmed up under the sun. After harvesting, it must be stored in the refrigerator for about seven days. It can also be frozen and eaten in winter, while the loss of nutrients will be negligible.
Observing technology and agricultural technology when growing Romanesco cabbage, you can get a good harvest in mid-autumn. Cabbage does not require specific care when growing, so you do not have to make much effort. Having grown Romanesco, you will get a real storehouse of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are healthy.
Reviews about cabbage
Reviews about Romanesco cabbage speak for themselves, they are completely positive.
- As gardeners note, this cabbage can be steamed, baked in the oven, fried and boiled. It makes delicious dishes, but most importantly, this amazing vegetable is good for health, as it is rich in vitamins, minerals and other useful substances. In this regard, Romanesco is popular with professional athletes.
- Romanesco cabbage is recommended for women in the postpartum period. As you know, many of them during pregnancy gain excess weight, which is very difficult to fight in the future. According to nutritionists, during this period, it is important for women to lose weight correctly, since at the same time they breast-feed the baby. In this regard, doctors recommend increased consumption of vegetables, and especially Romanesco cabbage. It contributes to the normalization of metabolism, improving overall well-being and increasing the activity of the body.
- Romanesco cauliflower grown in its own garden, due to its unusual appearance, can become its decoration. It can also be planted with flowers in the flowerbed. Moreover, it is unpretentious in cultivation, including in moderate Russian latitudes, and seeds are easy to find on our shelves.