{"product_id":"cima-di-rapa-novantina-copy","title":"Cima di Rapa, 'Cima Grossa San Martino'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Brassica rapa) \u003c\/em\u003eWe're trying to crack the code for what it will take to popularize the gloriousness that is Cima di Rapa to a North American audience. Cima di Rapa (also known as 'rapini' and 'broccoli raab') is a popular staple of Italian cuisine in the fall, especially in the central and southern regions of the country. It is a wilder, pleasantly bitter, more pungent \u003cem\u003erapa \u003c\/em\u003ecousin to the more ubiquitous 'broccolini' and broccoli of the \u003cem\u003eoleracea \u003c\/em\u003efamily. Radicchio lovers (meaning pretty much everyone now) should feel very comfortable in this terrain.\u003cbr\u003eWhile the primary goal of most rapini producers is the small budded florets, in Puglia, a version sometimes referred to as Cima Grossa can be found that produces much larger florets, closer in resemblance to a more familiar (small) broccoli head. They are more often transplanted (as opposed to directly seeded like the smaller types) and are given more space to grow into sturdy plants that can support the heading. The flavor is more assertive than its smaller, more northern brethren, but given the proper preparation of blanching prior to sauteeing with garlic and chilis, it is a very delicious bite. It's a critical step in the kitchen, the blanching, that is often overlooked with rapini, serving to mellow the bite and allowing it to play nice with other dishes. Personally, we love its bold flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn areas like ours (NW Washington) with long cool springs, it can be grown early in the season, but it is more commonly and often more successfully summer-sown for fall crops. While we have yet to thoroughly test its limits, it is said to be hardy in the fall to the mid-20sF.\u003cbr\u003e80 days. UO\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacket: 1g (~450 seeds)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e*This seed has tested negative for both Black Leg (Phoma lingam) and Black Rot (Xanthomonus campestris) as required by the WA Dept of Ag crucifer seed quarantine.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(162, 73, 73);\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e[split]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGrowing Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSOWING:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIndoors, 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransplant out 2-4 weeks before your last \u003cem\u003emild\u003c\/em\u003e frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDirect sow mid-spring through mid-summer. Best results from mid-summer sowing for fall harvests\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNote: \u003c\/em\u003ePrefers well-drained soil with high organic matter and consistent water. \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePLANTING DEPTH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\/4-1\/2\"\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSPACING:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4-6\" spacing in rows 12-18\" apart.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEMERGENCE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e3-10 days @ soil temp 60-65F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLIGHT:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFERTILITY:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMedium-Heavy. Prefers well-drained, fertile, moist soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eADDITIONAL NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRapini has a \u003cem\u003esmall\u003c\/em\u003e central head, side shoots, leaves, and flowers, all of which are delicious to eat. Harvest the central head to be rewarded with side shoots galore! \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProtect from flea beetles with floating row cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsistent water is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Uprising Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Pkt","offer_id":47938828697833,"sku":"BRO-SM-pkt","price":4.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\/4 oz","offer_id":47938828730601,"sku":"BRO-SM-1\/4oz","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0504\/6203\/2046\/files\/IMG_0891.jpg?v=1732133886","url":"https:\/\/www.uprisingorganics.sbs\/products\/cima-di-rapa-novantina-copy","provider":"Uprising Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}