Cima di Rapa Quarantina, 30-day Raab
Extremely fast-growing crop for early spring, late summer, or fall. In 30 to 40 days from planting, it produces a foot-high bunch of savory leaves and buds like tiny broccoli. In Italy, this is boiled or steamed and then either served cold with oil and lemon, or quickly heated with oil, garlic and red pepper flakes and served over pasta or with meat. Quick, easy, and satisfying. During the busy season of spring, Cima di Rapa with a fried egg on top or tossed with cheese and pasta is our go-to meal, taking only a few minutes from garden to plate. 200 seeds (Plants are small--12" high).
We carry 3 kinds of Cima di Rapa: 30-40 day, 50-60 day, and overwintering for use in spring. They can all be sown at once in late summer to fall for a long harvest.
Quarantina, the fast-growing type, can be sown either as soon as soil can be worked in spring or in late summer. Direct-sow into fertile soil and keep moist. Sow 3" apart in rows 12" apart, and thin the week-old plants to 6" apart. Plants are small, about a foot high. Like most fast-growing crops, they need good fertility and adequate moisture so they can grow without stress. Thinning is critical; crowding makes them bolt.