Cavolo nero

A variety of cabbage that grows in Tuscany; we have never seen it in Italy south of Rome. It grows well in England, as we have discovered by giving seeds to one of the organic farmers who grows vegetables for us.

The leaves grow separately up the main stem so can be continuously picked, and will re-grow in the winter and early spring. We have been told that the texture of these big leaves is only perfect after the first frost. They are very dark green in colour, rather than nero, black, and have a strong bitter taste.