Brassica Medullosa

[Mozart321]

In Portugal they make a soup from what they call Couves.

I got some seeds and they are Brassica Medullosa.

As anybody heard of these?

[Flummery]

It's also known as marrow stem kale or collards. I think Momol grows collards. I've not grown it before but 'm sure someone here has.

[momol]

In Portugal they make a soup from what they call Couves.

I got some seeds and they are Brassica Medullosa.

As anybody heard of these?

Hello Mozart,

I grow Collards but not the Medullosa. Ate my Collards the very first time in Portugal (Madeira), they were stewed with some bacon, delicious and I love it so much that went searching for it's name (didn't know it was called Collards then).
I presume you have eaten Sopa De Couves which used collards in it ( yummy soup !!!).

I also saw lots of Collards grown in Madeira, they were treated like cut and come again and was told that they lasted for years (parennial).
Mine are Southern georgia (huge plant) and Morris Heading (more compact and form loose head during winter).
Both Collards can cope heat and cold very well. Mine overwintered nicely and I still got several plant ready fo harvest.

You can grow your collards during early spring or late summer (for overwintering). Hope this help...

[Mozart321]

Thank you both for your replies.
It's strange that this plant is isn't more widely grown here (esp. for soup) According to the seed packet (in Portuguese) you can grow it 12 months of the year too)
Is it a perennial or an annual?
Thanks
Mozart.

[momol]

All Collards are parennial Mozart but you can grow them as annual. I have no idea why aren't they grown widely but even in the Netherlands, they are also a forgotten veggies. In the past, they were used as the animal food or food of the poor (in NL for sure) and perhaps due to that they are not desired. I don't know the truth but I do know they are tasty.
Happy growing.