YU CHOY
Yu Choy (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis) is also known as Choy Sum or Chinese Flowering Cabbage. When translated literally from Cantonese, Choy Sum means “heart of the vegetable” — it surely lives up to this name as it is a staple in staple in Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking. Yu Choy is a mild and slightly sweet green with hints of mustard. It is most succulent and tender when the yellow flowers are present, making it perfect for steaming and sautéing!
In season: June to October
Nutritional value: Yu Choy is rich in vitamins A and C, folate, calcium, and fiber! In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Yu Choy is used to support digestion, detoxification, immune function, and for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Storage tips: For short-term storage, keep your Yu Choy unwashed in an unsealed bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer for up to 7 days. If you are storing them and want to maximize freshness, wrap the heads in a damp paper towel to maintain humidity, then place in an unsealed bag. You can also freeze Yu Choy for use in stews and stocks by washing, blanching, and freezing!
Culinary uses: Every part of Yu Choy is edible — from the leaves, to the stem, to the flowers! Steam, grill, sauté, eat raw, ferment, add them into a soup or toss them into a stir fry! Think of it like any other leafy green, it goes great in curries, risottos, pasta dishes, casseroles, savory pancakes, omelets, dumplings, even smoothies! Consider classic flavor pairings like Ginger, Lemongrass, Garlic, or Sesame and Soy Sauce.
