How to Grow Zamboni Broccoli Raab

Broccoli raab or rapini's edible leaves, stems and buds have a peppery, sharp taste and a texture similar to broccoli. While two main varietals allow gardeners to plant in the fall or the spring, Zamboni needs spring planting because it can bolt in hot weather. Blanch broccoli raab, then sautee or steam until tender. This vegetable is generally too bitter to be eaten raw, and loses its edge through cooking.

Shovel
Landscape rake
Sharp knife

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the soil for planting in spring, when the ground can be worked. Turn over the earth with a shovel, breaking apart soil clods and removing rocks and other debris. Rake the soil with a landscape rake to create an even garden bed with no hills or valleys.
- 2
  Dig a shallow furrow 1/8 inch deep. Sow rapini seeds in the furrow at the rate of one seed per inch. Cover the seeds over with soil. Space rows 18 inches apart.
- 3
  Water the broccoli raab after planting. Keep the garden bed moist until the seeds germinate.
- 4
  Thin to allow 6 inches between plant so each has enough to grow.
- 5
  Water your Zamboni when the soil becomes dry to the touch, adding liquid to saturate the soil.
- 6
  Harvest broccoli raab when buds form, typically at 60 days for Zamboni. Cut the stalk off the plant using a sharp knife. While you can also cut and cook leaves, leaf nodes -- where the leaf attaches to the plant -- will produce new buds if left on the plant. Harvest all buds before their flowers open, since the plants take on more bitter flavor at this point.

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