Baby and Teen Brassicas - Tatsoi, Mizuna, Turnip Greens

Brassicas are the largest vegetable family with well known members like cabbage and broccoli. There are many Asian cousins that thrive in the cooler temperatures early and late in the growing season. Brassicas are nutritional powerhouses; most have high amounts of viatmins A , C, some of the B complex, calcium, and iron. Many people know brassicas as crucifers because their first leaves form a cross. They are high in antioxidants.

Many of these Asian brassicas appear in salad mixes; they are beautiful and flavorful. They also make great half and full size plants. Tatsoi has bright green spoon shaped leaves on white stems. Mizuna, found in both green and red varieties, are jagged sometimes feathery leaves.

As baby and teen plants I usually add to salads. As teens and adults I often add brassicas to braising mixes or soups. They are great additions to pasta salads for their color, texture and mild cabbage flavor.