Where Can I Buy Romanesco? Your Guide to Finding This Unique Veggie

Romanesco is an eye-catching vegetable with spiraling, bright green cones that looks almost too cool to eat. Its one-of-a-kind appearance and nutty, sweet flavor make it a fun addition to recipes. But with its unusual looks, you may be wondering where you can find romanesco near you.

This guide will walk you through the best places to buy fresh romanesco, whether you shop online, at grocery stores, farmers markets, or grow it yourself. We’ll also share some tips for picking out high-quality romanesco and storing it properly so you can enjoy its unique texture and taste.

What Is Romanesco?

Romanesco is an Italian heirloom vegetable that belongs to the brassica family, along with broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage. It has an eye-catching, spiraled shape with conical lime-green peaks The heads are made up of small buds that resemble tiny spiraling towers

These fractal spirals give romanesco an almost otherworldly appearance. When cut the spirals reveal a stunning interior pattern that makes for gorgeous presentation on the plate.

Beyond its looks, romanesco has a sweet, nutty, and slightly grassy flavor. Its texture is firm and crunchy like broccoli, with a mild taste similar to cauliflower.

Romanesco can be enjoyed raw in salads, lightly steamed or roasted, added to soups and stir fries, or substituted in any recipe that calls for cauliflower. Its versatility and unusual appearance make it a unique addition to many dishes.

Where to Buy Romanesco

Online

Ordering produce online has made access to unique vegetables like romanesco easier than ever. Online grocery delivery services allow you to shop from the comfort of home and get romanesco shipped straight to your door.

Melissa’s Produce offers fresh romanesco grown in the USA year-round. You can order single heads or cases for delivery in most areas. Melissa’s has high standards for quality produce, so you can trust you’ll get delicious, undamaged romanesco.

Other online produce delivery companies like Imperfect Foods and Farmbox Direct also carry romanesco when it’s in season. Their “ugly” or surplus produce subscription boxes are budget-friendly ways to try specialty veggies.

Grocery Stores

Your best bet for finding romanesco at brick-and-mortar grocery stores is to shop at retailers focused on organic, local, or specialty produce.

Whole Foods is a great option, as they carry fresh romanesco in the produce department when it’s in season. Other high-end grocers like Sprouts, Earth Fare, and Fresh Thyme may also stock romanesco.

At large conventional chains like Safeway, Kroger, or Publix, romanesco can be hit or miss depending on your location. You may be able to special order it at the customer service desk.

Call ahead to ask your local grocery store if they carry romanesco to avoid making a wasted trip.

Farmers Markets

Buying local produce straight from the farmer is a fun way to get your hands on romanesco. Search for farmers markets in your area to connect with vendors.

Many farmers markets run seasonally, with peak months being summer and early fall. Check market schedules to know when romanesco is likely to be available. Showing up early when the market opens increases your chances of grabbing romanesco before it sells out.

Don’t be afraid to ask vendors questions about their romanesco. Farmers are happy to share tips for selecting, storing, and preparing their specialty crops.

Growing Your Own

If you have the space and interest, consider growing your own romanesco! This requires some gardening experience and the right climate conditions.

Romanesco thrives in cool weather and takes 60-100 days to harvest. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant seedlings when daytime temps reach 60-65°F.

Provide plenty of space between plants and enrich soil with compost. Water regularly. Harvest when heads form spiraled peaks for peak flavor.

Growing romanesco from seed takes patience, but being able to snip fresh heads straight from your garden is extremely rewarding.

What to Look for When Buying Romanesco

Follow these tips to select fresh, high-quality romanesco:

• Look for vibrant color: Opt for heads with rich, lime green hues. Avoid yellowing or browning.

• Seek compact spirals: Tight, defined spirals indicate freshness. Loosely formed heads are past maturity.

• Feel for firmness: Heads should feel dense and firm with no mushy spots when gently squeezed.

• Inspect the bottom: Avoid romanesco with discoloration or sliminess on the bottom stem. This indicates spoilage.

• Pick similar sized heads: Uniform sizing helps heads cook evenly. But don’t worry if spirals vary slightly.

• Avoid wet heads: Excess moisture encourages spoilage. Pick romanesco that looks dry on the surface.

• Check for damage: Bruises, holes or cracks allow bacteria and moisture loss. Skip damaged produce.

Following these guidelines will help you end up with the tastiest, freshest romanesco to enjoy.

Storing Romanesco Properly

Once you get your romanesco home, proper storage is key to preserving freshness and preventing spoilage. Follow these storage tips:

• Don’t wash before storing: Washing removes protective layers and promotes spoilage. Wait to rinse until ready to use.

• Refrigerate promptly: Toss romanesco in the fridge as soon as you return from the market. Cold temps maintain texture and slow aging.

• Use breathable storage: Plastic traps moisture and speeds decay. Store loosely wrapped in paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag.

• Keep romanesco dry: Excess water leads to sliminess and mold. Pat heads dry before refrigerating if damp.

• Allow air flow: Tight packing in crowded drawers ruins texture. Give romanesco space to “breathe.”

• Use within 5-7 days: Eat romanesco soon for best quality. Older heads get fibrous and lose sweetness.

Follow proper storage methods to extend the life of your romanesco and reduce food waste.

Tips for Preparing and Cooking Romanesco

Now that you’ve brought home some beautiful, fresh romanesco, it’s time to figure out how to prepare it! Here are some useful tips:

• Rinse and pat dry: Rinse romanesco just before prepping to remove dirt. Gently pat dry with a paper towel or clean dish cloth.

• Trim the ends: Slice off the very bottom of the stem along with any dried out parts. A sharp knife works best.

• Consider blanching: For tender texture, blanch chopped romanesco for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then shock in ice bath.

• Roast for flavor: Toss florets in olive oil and roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until browned and tender. Season as desired.

• Steam lightly: For crisp-tender texture, steam over boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Toss with herbs, garlic, or lemon.

• Sauté briefly: For a quick side, sauté diced romanesco in olive oil for 2-3 minutes until just tender.

• Eat raw: Shred romanesco in slaws or slice thinly for salads. Toss with lemon juice and olive oil.

• Make a gratin: Bake florets in a creamy cheese sauce topped with crispy breadcrumbs.

Treat romanesco similar to broccoli or cauliflower when cooking. Its versatility lends itself to endless possibilities!

Creative Ways to Use Romanesco

Beyond side dishes, romanesco can be used creatively in all types of recipes:

• Toss spirals into soups and stews for texture and color. Romanesco takes well to simmering.

• Add raw shavings to green or grain salads for crunch. It pairs well with nuts, dried fruit, and tangy dressings.

• Use in place of cauliflower rice for a low-carb base for stir fries, rice bowls, or “fried rice.”

• Make romanesco slaws by shredding raw heads and tossing with crispy apples, citrus, herbs and vinaigrette.

• Roast florets then blend into pureed soups for natural creaminess and sweetness.

• Slice thin discs to top flatbread pizzas along with cheese, meat, and veggies.

• Bake florets into frittatas, omelets, or quiches for color and nutrition.

• Shape sliced romanesco into veggie patties along with other shredded veggies. Pan-fry for a unique burger.

With its mild flavor and crunchy texture, romanesco can fit right in to many of your favorite meals. Don’t be afraid to get creative with this funky veggie!

Enjoy the Unique Flavor and Texture of Romanesco

Part of the fun of cooking is discovering new-to-you produce like the striking romanesco. With its alien-like looks but down-to-earth flavor, romanesco is an exciting ingredient to add to your kitchen repertoire.

Now that you know where to buy romanesco and how to select and store it properly, you can start whipping up delicious recipes featuring this fractal veggie. Try serving roasted romanesco “steaks” as a beautiful side, adding raw shavings to salads, or using it creatively in soups and main dishes.

Branch out from the ordinary and give romanesco a taste to enjoy its mild sweetness with a satisfying crunch. Your cooking is sure to be out-of-this-world when you prepare recipes with romanesco!