I grew some celeriac for the first time this year.
My mum got me some young plants from a plant sale so I stuck them in next to my leeks and they've been growing happily since the spring.
Just lately I've started to use them and I must say that it's a difficult vegetable to fall in love with. There seems to be a lot of waste from the roots, the slugs have been at them as well, so I've had to cut quite a bit away inside leaving a lot in the sink - although this may be to do with the fact I've just left them in the ground until now and they might have been best lifted and stored somewhere
. To be honest I'm just not a very big fan of celery and that's essentially what they are - the smell puts me off!
On the other hand when I've been adding them to stews it has given over a really nice flavour and they help to bulk out a stew and add another vegetable to it so it can't be bad for us.
I did buy some seeds to grow my own this coming year but now I'm in two minds. I know space isn't that much of an issue with me, but it is another vegetable to look after all year, although growing a few probably wouldn't hurt.
What's everyone's opinion on celeriac?
I had them mashed with butter and pepper and thy were nice, but when I tried to grow them it wasnt a great success, they are not on my list to grow this year
ReplyDeleteI think they can't be planted out too early although the seeds need to be started off early! makes them awkward to grow.
DeleteI love them :) Not been too successful growing them though . but a friend informs be they need a bit of work the regular removal of the lower leaves and exposing the crown apparently getter better roots so will try again this year and follow her instructions
ReplyDeleteI didn't do much to these just weeded around them (sometimes) and the roots are huge, they had plenty of muck though which always helps!
DeleteLike yourself, I use them in stews, a different addition.
ReplyDeleteThe more in a good stew the better!
DeleteMash them with carrot to top cottage or fish pies. Roast them. Cut finely and combine with a mustard dressing as a salad. I love'em!
ReplyDeleteWith carrot might work but not sure if the taste would be too sweet. Never a big fan of raw veg so with mustard wouldn't work for me either!
DeleteKev - we're not too particularly fond of them although all of the foodie blogs make celeriac puree for plating meat. they are ok...but that's all. and we only wish to put our efforts into food that we love.
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
Yeah people seem to love them. Maybe I'm not using them right yet - I've a few more to experiment with yet so maybe I'll nail it yet.
DeleteEating celery always makes me feel I am chewing on one of those green Scotch-Brite scouring pads and tastes about as good. Never cared for the stuff.This is a celery free household. LOL I can't imagine anything that's similar to it would be much better.
ReplyDeleteI hate normal celery and like you it's the texture. The root veg does have some nice flavour to add to stews.
DeleteThe French often use grated celariac together with grated carrot as a salad - with a vinaigrette, it's rather good. I use it mainly as a background savoury flavour in soups and stews.
ReplyDeleteI like the savouryness of it but as a raw veg I know I wouldn't like it as I'm terrible at eating raw veg!
DeleteI haven't had success here growing celariac here. As with many cooler weather veggies I struggle to grow them. I think I would like it as I love celery. I don't grow something if at least one of us doesn't love that vegetable or fruit. As you said its a lot of work growing food. :O). There so much we do love so with the few we don't I don't bother.
ReplyDeleteI like to experiment and see if there's more I can add to our list of fruit and veg and some I like and some I don't! The cucamelons I grew last year are going to become a every year staple whereas the verdict is still out on celeriac!
DeleteCan't say I've ever eaten it.
ReplyDeleteJane x
If you like celery I'm sure you will.
DeleteI like celery, and it's really good for you. I never heard of celeriac.
ReplyDeleteI think your like this then Harry. It's not yet rocked my world!
DeleteI tried to grow them once, they got to golf ball size and ran to seed! Haven't bothered since.
ReplyDeleteI think it's to do with if they have any frost on them, if they do then they bolt otherwise they stay good until the winter.
DeleteIs it like regular celery where it supposedly takes more calories to break it down in the stomach than it delivers? As a stew stretcher though I could see it being useful also I doubt the cooked pieces are as hard to digest as the raw. Celery always seemed like a good food for those who eat to much already so not one I have looked into much.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure on the calories thing, it seems filling when it's in a stew. I guess I eat too much sometimes but I can't stand the normal celery.
DeleteWe grew it once but we weren't impressed.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I'll give it another year yet before I make a decision.
DeleteI love it! Grated as remoulade fir a starter, but also thinly sliced and layered with potato as a gratin to go with ham - totally delicious! I have had mixed success growing too and found the feet way was hidden in amongst the glower beds - insects and pests left it alone then!
ReplyDeleteI've grown celeriac from seed for the last couple of years. It seems pretty easy to grow although a right faff to prepare. I guess that's the trade-off!
ReplyDelete