The vegetable garden is growing beautifully at the farm and I thought you might like to see a corner of the patch where the cole crops, have been planted. ‘Cole’ refers to any of the various plants belonging to the Cruciferae family. There is much variety and we’ve already begun to harvest some of these amazingly healthful vegetables. 
Cruciferous is the scientific name given to a group of vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, kale, collard greens, broccoli rabe, and brussels sprouts. Research has shown that by eating a lot of these vegetables you may significantly reduce your risk of various types of cancers. Named for the cross-shaped flowers they bear, crucifers contain a wide variety of disease-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals – including carotenoids, vitamin C, and indoles, which scientists believe may stave off the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach, colon, and lungs. Dark collard greens, kale, and turnip greens are packed with calcium as well; and brussels sprouts are filled with iron. In addition, all crucifers are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
With all of their wonderful nutritional benefits, doesn’t it make sense to incorporate more crucifers into your diet? Health experts recommend consuming at least three servings of these vegetables each week. Crucifers are very easy to steam, sauté, or roast – all methods that preserve their vibrant flavor and color. Boiling them can be a bit tricky. Cooked too long, crucifers emit an unpleasant sulfurous odor, and they also lose many valuable nutrients.
The following photos were taken using my Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Kohlibri kohlrabi
a beautiful head of Tendersweet cabbage
a red cabbage called Super Red 80
purple Graffiti cauliflower
broccoli Calabrese
yellow Cheddar cauliflower
a head of Arrowhead cabbage
a fluffy Snow Crown cauliflower
Gonzales cabbage
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Hi Martha, These are absolutely stunning photos of your cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kohlrobi. I have never seen or heard of some of the varieties. Did you start them in your greenhouse or cold house early? I can't believe they are mature enough to eat already. Wow, how great! You must have excellent compost to produce such beautiful cole plants. Can we get some of those varieties through Johnny's Seeds? I would eat these veggies everyday if I had them. I really enjoyed your program "At Martha's Table with Emeril today. You two sure have a good time together. Have a great trip to Warsaw. Can't wait to see the blog about your trip. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 17, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Isle Dance | June 17, 2008 at 01:25 AM
Love the different colored cauliflowers. They taste so good just steamed with garlic or sometimes I make vegetable curries with them mainly because they have a meaty texture and holds up well to the sauce. Take more pics of your garden - would love to see how other things are growing :)
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | June 17, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Hi Martha,
Great looking vegetables so early!
I'm wondering what is used in your garden to battle aphids that attack the cruciferous veggies? I've given up on broccoli and cauliflower because they get infested so badly. So does my cabbage but they are easier to wash. What is your insect defense?
Thanks! Pam
Posted by: Pamela Regentin | June 17, 2008 at 01:40 AM
I think it might be time to have a giveaway of one of those Canon EOS-1D Mark Cameras - don't keep all the fun for yourself - lovely shots! Thanks for sharing your gardens with us.;)
Posted by: Jessica | June 17, 2008 at 04:37 AM
Oh, boy! I wish I'd live someplace warmer than Finland! My veggies aren't even close to that lushious! I have the same purple graffiti cauliflower, but it's just few inches tall at the moment. But at the end of the summer I should be able to get at least some of the wonders Mother Earth gives us, I hope!
Thank You Martha for sharing your pictures with us!
Raisa
Posted by: Raisa K | June 17, 2008 at 05:11 AM
Hi Martha,
The veggies look wonderful!! You are so right people should eat more fresh produce with no chemicles, people rely too much on artificial means of getting there vitamines and minerals!! Maybe there wouldnt be so much cancer and other illness? You never heard of all this cancer in the "olden days" when people used to grow there own produce, meats and milk!!! Have a great day !!! :)
Posted by: Paula | June 17, 2008 at 06:54 AM
Your vegetables are beautiful. I's afraid it's been so hot in the Carolinas our vegetables just sit there no matter how much water you spray or haul to them. And of course we have terrible insect problems even we try to grow cabbage in the spring or collards or turnips in the fall. It is just so amazing how beautiful your vegatables and flowers are with the short growing season you have compared to ours. Love your website. I look forward to seeing the pictures on it everyday. Oh, what do you do with the excess. It appears you could feed a small town every day and the flowers could supply alot of florists or friend's homes and of course your offices.
Posted by: faye carlyle | June 17, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Hi Martha,
ABUNDANZA!!!!!! In Portuguese, that means, abundance, and that's exactly what you have growing in your vegetable garden!
Thank you for shaing these photos. I tool, anxiously await for the abundance my garden will provide to my family!
God Bless your harvest, and all that you do Martha! You're a great inspiration to us all!
Your devoted fan,
Sandy Resendes
Montreal-Canada
Posted by: Sandy Resendes | June 17, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I love crucifers and especially broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. I have only tasted the grocery store varieties though and have never seen your unique varieties except possibly the cheddar cauliflower.
Any chance you could share some crucifer recipes with us on your community page? You only have 2 recipes on there; I commented on the vegetable cocktail and I'll let you know more after I've made it. I think I cook my vegetables too much so recipes would be good. Thanks Martha! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 17, 2008 at 09:49 AM
I love the diiferent colors of the vegatables. The plants thrive well in your garden. Good luck on the harvest season.
Posted by: Dedric Clark | June 17, 2008 at 09:59 AM
The pictures could be made into posters. Such grand colors, lines and shapes.
Posted by: Margie | June 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Hi Martha,
Your assortment of cauliflower is wonderful! Have never heard of "cheddar cauliflower" bet it is delicious. I will try to find it at my local farm market which opens this week.
Posted by: joan vogt | June 17, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Ah, so that's where the word "cole" slaw comes from! I never knew! You're always teaching, Martha!
Posted by: Sara | June 17, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Amazing pictures! I love the assortment that you have and the Cheddar cauliflower is amazing! Thank you for sharing
Claduine
Posted by: Claudine | June 17, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Your gardens are spectacular!!! Could you tell us what you do with the amazing abundance of vegetable that you grow? Do you share them with your friends, employees, neighbors? or do you donate the excess? or sell them at a farm stand? Just curious because they are fabulous, but I can't imagine that you can use all of them yourself. Please let us know. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Barbara | June 17, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Hi, Martha,
Simply stunning photos of your cole crop! They are gorgeous, and the taste is most likely the best, too. Thanks for the post of your produce. Did you grow them---or start them---in your new greenhouse?
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | June 17, 2008 at 04:14 PM
The photos are beautiful! Martha and all please check my website for beautiful baskets and accessories to put your fruit and vegetables in for a beautiful display!
There is a huge sale through Friday of this week to the public:
www.longaberger.com/jenniferfancher
Thanks for visiting. These veggies need baskets!!!: ) Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Fancher | June 17, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Martha -- The cole crops are beautiful -- I have never heard of the chedder cauliflower. Wonder where we can get then in Nebraska? Wish I knew so we could try them next year.
Posted by: Faith | June 17, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Hi Martha, it would be great if you posted a few recipes you use to steam or cook your crucifiers.
Variety is the spice of life. Great pictures - did you start these vegetables in your cold house?
Posted by: Gizella Gallipeau | June 17, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Dear Martha, sigh. It's getting cold here in Melbourne Australia so it is with great envy that your Australian fans look at images of your springtime garden. I am intrigued by the cheddar cauliflower. I wonder does it retain that amazing colour after cooking?
Posted by: Ramona | June 17, 2008 at 09:12 PM
I am just slightly envious. If you find a foreigner rifling through your garden, it might be me.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | June 17, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Uh, Martha? I had NO idea that cauliflower came in any color other than creamy white! Absolutely stunning photos - and so delightful! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: CMN | June 17, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables! I've never grown it before, but these pics sure are inspiring. Wish I had some right now to put into my soup.
le-potage.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michelle | June 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Martha,
Simply gorgeous! What Mother Nature has for us gardeners!!
Where do you get your varieties from? Do you start in your greenhouse because ours are just starting to grow but not as large in CT.
Love the colored cauliflowers! Snow Crown is way too cool! Trying some of those next year!
Thanks again for the beautiful photos inside your vegetable garden!
PS. Love the new Everyday Food issue with you and Emeril! Love his recipes in it! Thanks Emeril!
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. :) | June 18, 2008 at 03:34 PM