Celeriac

'Apium graveolens'

Celeriac is a fairly large, pale brown tuber, approximately 15 cm in diameter, with lots of nodes and roots. Like white and green celery, celeriac is part of the celery family. It is the thick, edible root of the celery plant. Celeriac is grown for its tuber, but the green leaves can also be eaten. Celeriac with leaves is only available in the early spring. Celeriac has a creamy white colour on the inside. It has an aromatic smell and sweetish taste. Celeriac is a traditional vegetable in the Netherlands, where it is typically used in pea soup and celery salad. It is available all year round.

Cucumber

‘Cucumis sativus’

Cucumber is a long, plump fruit with a crunchy green skin. The flesh is transparent white with a jelly-like core containing edible seed. It is often used raw in salads or on bread to give it some ‘bite’, but it is also delicious in soups or stir-fries. Cucumbers are available in the Netherlands from January to November.

White cabbage

‘Brassica oleracea capitata Bloktor’

White cabbage has smooth, creamy white to pale green outer leaves and a spherical, closed and firm head. White cabbage has a typical cabbage taste and is perfect for mashed potato and vegetable dishes as well as in salads and casseroles. Traditionally, cabbage is a winter vegetable but nowadays it is available all year round in the Netherlands.

Red cabbage

‘Brassica oleracea capitata Regelius’

Red cabbage is oval to round in shape, has smooth, dark-red to purple outer leaves and a spherical, closed, red head. Red cabbage has a typical cabbage taste. This cabbage is perfect for mashed potato and vegetable dishes, as well as in salads and casseroles. Red cabbage grown in the Netherlands is available all year round.

Carrot

‘Daucus carota’

The carrot belongs to the Umbelliferae family. It is a large, thick, orange root. Rich in vitamin A, carrots are delicious and wholesome. They are nice and crunchy, the ideal snack, and can be fried, boiled, stewed or even stir-fried. Dutch carrots are available all year round.

Pepper

‘Capsicum annuum’

Peppers have a firm pericarp. Beneath the pericarp is a white core, which contains the seeds. Peppers are also called sweet peppers or bell peppers. The most common colours are yellow, red, green and orange, but they also come in special colours such as brown, lilac and purple. Peppers are delicious when eaten raw, in a salad, stir-fry or stuffed and grilled. Dutch peppers are available all year round, except in January and February. June to October is the height of the pepper season.

Opperdoezer Ronde

The Opperdoezer Ronde is a small, yellow/white fleshed potato with a yellow skin and an irregular shape. It is a waxy potato. The potato’s extremely thin skin makes it fragile, which is why it is harvested by hand. The Opperdoezer Ronde is an early potato that is harvested from late June until late September. The Opperdoezer Ronde is available until the end of December. It is a unique potato that may only be grown in the Dutch village of Opperdoes. Opperdoezer Ronde is a protected name in Europe.

Cauliflower

‘Brassica oleracea capitata Marine’

Cauliflower is a tasty, easily digestible type of cabbage with plenty of different ways to prepare it. The best known dish in the Netherlands is the typically Dutch meatball with potatoes and cauliflower with white sauce or cheese sauce. Cauliflower is also delicious in a stir-fry. Cauliflower comes in white, green and even purple-red varieties. Another variety is Romanesco, which has a yellow-green pyramid-shaped head and a milder and sweeter taste than white cauliflower. Cauliflower grown in the Netherlands is available from late June until early November.