Sea Kale, crambe maritima

Known from the 1st century when it was pickled by the Romans to prevent scurvy. A hardy perennial, it grows to 60 cm high, with large, pale glossy green leaves from which arise frothy white flowers that attract butterflies and insects. As the shoots emerge in spring, they are blanched to exclude light and harvested when 10-15 cm long, for crisp tender shoots. Priced for: 9 cm pot