January to July Spring Greens

Spring greens are winter-hardy cabbages sown in duly or August and harvested when green vegetables are scarce (January to April) as immature, loose heads without hearts. In a good year they bring a youthful freshness when winter veg is getting dull and tired. Every season is different. At their best, spring greens can be sweet and tender but after a hard winter, they can verge on tough and bitter (let–s say ‘robust’) and need more cooking; you will get a pretty good idea when you are chopping them.