Brassica Flower

Driving past fields of invasive wild Brassica Nigra, ubiquitous in the hotter regions of the West Coast, it’s easy to take her for granted. It’s easy to resent her presence, resent the fact that this Mediterranean native loves our lands as much as we do.

But if we take a closer look, stop to smell the flowers so to speak, she has a lot of individuality and beauty to share, and offers bright, sunny color when the rest of the garden is dormant.

Our brassica flowers are not brassica nigra (which can be very hot and mustardy), but come from a variety of Kale we allow to bolt and bloom. These are slightly sweet, like baby kale. They are bright and friendly on the plate, and are one of the last (and first) flowers we can offer, sometimes well into December and as early as March.

Type: Flower

Flavor: Kale, spinach, mild

Color: Lemon yellow

Size: 2 - 3 cm

Season: All but the very coldest months

Storage/Care: Keep refrigerated in a lightly moist environment.

Other names: Mustard flower