What is this vegetable?

Helena, MT

I bought this at a farmers market but don't remember what the name is. The name on the sign was two words, the first being two or three syllables, the second one syllable with five letters--something like shake or choke or... It's probably a good 2 feet tall, with the top leaves longer than the bottom root. The bottom root looks rough like a kohlrabi but long like a parsnip (though cylindrical, not pointed at the bottom--but it's whitish). The top is long pointed leaves that are smooth and a medium dark green. The man said both the top and bottom are edible and may be eaten cooked or raw. (The bottom part needs to be peeled first of course.) Any ideas what this may be?

Thumbnail by ktot
Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b)

ktot - Salsify also known as oyster plant - maybe? I've never grown it, but it's supposed to be similar to parsnip.

Shawnee Mission, KS(Zone 6a)

Horseradish.

Helena, MT

No, neither salsify nor horseradish, but thanks for the suggestions. I did err in my initial comments. I had thought the lower white part was from underground but I see now it's just a thick white stalk that had leaves (like above, most likely) that had been cut off where clearly the underground portion began. With this correction, any other ideas?

Quote from HoneybeeNC :
ktot - Salsify also known as oyster plant - maybe? I've never grown it, but it's supposed to be similar to parsnip.


Could that be Culantro?

Oceanside, CA(Zone 10a)

Take a look at Celtuce aka Chinese Stem Lettuce.

Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b)

Ray_Der_Phan - right on!

I Googled Celtuce photo and there it was! I've never heard of this. Have you grown it?

Oceanside, CA(Zone 10a)

Quote from HoneybeeNC :
Ray_Der_Phan - right on!

I Googled Celtuce photo and there it was! I've never heard of this. Have you grown it?


Nope, haven't grown any yet but plan to soon. I too, never heard of them until about 3 months ago. I was given some seeds from a friend who's family grows it in China. Gonna be interesting to see how it grows here.


Charlotte, NC(Zone 7b)

Ray_Der_Phan - seeds from around the world - I love it! Keep us updated on how they grow and taste.

Oceanside, CA(Zone 10a)

Most definitely. I'll be sowing some in the next few weeks. If it does well and it's worth it, I will be saving seeds to share.

Alba, TX(Zone 8a)

Very cool! (Of course I think every new-to-me veg is very cool!)

One can also find seeds here: http://www.kitazawaseed.com/seed_068-162.html

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