Chinese Broccoli, Chinese Kale

Brassica oleracea, Alboglabra Group

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By Elizabeth Schneider

Published 2001

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Also gai lan, kaii laan, jie lan and variations (Chinese)

Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale is not broccoli or kale as we know them, nor is it truly Chinese in origin. This handsome vegetable is a species apart—and individually, distinctly delicious. And while we are on the subject of misleading names, if you have tasted Broccolini (Asparation), the diminutive offspring of Chinese and standard broccolis, you will recognize its Chinese parent in the similarly smooth, straight, waxy stems and inimitable juicy crunch.