swede tops (leaves)

dannie

My (purchased) swede has started to sprout tiny green leaves and roots. What do the leaves taste like? Is it possible to thinly slice off the top of the swede (like with carrots) and the swede will then continue to grow thick edible leaves?

Also, regarding the root system, I assume that it is impossible to do anything with this part of the swede?

Thanks.

ALIBOBSY

We have eaten beetroot and brassica leaves (swedes,caulis,broccolli) mixed into salads when the leaves are young plus pea and bean tops, radish etc. I also wack in loads of fresh soft herbs mmmm
But I choose to just take a few from each plant so some are left to help it continue growing. If you take too many the root/veg top won't grow.
Some people grow some to crop for leaves some for the main veg.

Only stuff I can think of that we grow that is posinous to eat is tom and potato plants or rubarb, I also wouldn't eat sweetcorn plants or any of the various squash plants we grow.

ali x

Taste wise think young cabbage or other greens.

Roots go on the compost heapor buried in the bed to rot down for the next year (providing not deseased).

chelms38

Jamie Oliver & that Hugh Fernleywhatsisface seem to eat leaves and survive so go for it.

dannie

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify - I bought the swede last month and will be eating it, so will the shoots contine to grow if I slice off the top? Never seem to do very well doing this with carrot tops.

Sunnyday

I grew swedes last year which were rubbish

When i dug them up there was hardly any root and what there was was as tough as old boots - but we had lots of lovely meals from the leaves, i just cooked them as cabbage and they were very tasty. Would grow them again just for the leaves.

HTH

SD

dannie

Thanks for the info Sunnyday. Maybe I'll eat this swede the last?