kohlrabi

American  

[kohl-rah-bee, -rab-ee, kohl-rah-bee, -rab-ee] / koʊlˈrɑ bi, -ˈræb i, ˈkoʊlˌrɑ bi, -ˌræb i /

noun

plural

kohlrabies

1. a cultivated cabbage, Brassica oleracea gongylodes, of the mustard family, whose stem above ground swells into an edible, bulblike formation.

---

kohlrabi British  

/ kəʊlˈrɑːbɪ /

noun

1. Also called: turnip cabbage.  a cultivated variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea caulorapa (or gongylodes ), whose thickened stem is eaten as a vegetable

---

Etymology

Origin of kohlrabi

First recorded in 1800–10; from German, from Italian cavolrape (plural of cavolrapa literally, “stalk or cabbage turnip”), with German Kohl “cabbage” for Italian cavol-; cole, rape ²

Explanation

Kohlrabi is a vegetable that looks like a turnip but is actually a type of cabbage. You can eat kohlrabi raw in salads and slaws, or you can cook it. Kohlrabi gets its name from the German words for "cabbage" and "turnip," Kohl and Rübe, and that's just what this strange vegetable is, a kind of cabbage-turnip. Sliced and eaten raw, kohlrabi tastes a bit like a slightly spicy radish, but if you roast it in the oven, it takes on a sweet flavor. Kohlrabi is especially popular in Kashmir, India, where it's called ganth ghobi or munj.

Example Sentences

The crabcake appetizer comes with a slaw of cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel and cucumber topped with a vinaigrette made using gochujang, a red chili paste and a bowl of chilled yellow squash soup.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2023

The meal itself will kick off with crab cakes along with cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel and cucumber slaw.

From Reuters • Apr. 24, 2023

The first course will include Maryland crab cakes, along with a cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel, and cucumber slaw dish.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2023

Most cabbages can be grated or chopped into a slaw and mixed with onion, fennel, celeriac, carrots, kohlrabi.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2023

One of the kohlrabi buds had fallen off when he was hit, but a new one was already sprouting in its place.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova