My husband and I hit up a local produce store Sunday afternoon. And a couple of…odd things happened!

First off, we saw a strange produce item we’d never seen before 🤔

A friendly store employee – a younger gent –  most likely the son or grandson of the owners of the family owned store – told us what it was.

“It’s kohlrabi,” he said. He even went on to explain how to prepare this strange looking leafy – and bulbous – item – for consumption.

My husband was intrigued!

“What about the leaves?” he asked.

“Oh you don’t eat those,” the produce guy informed us.

Well, you can eat those. But that’s not important right now!

We opted not to buy the kohlrabi until we learned a bit more about it.

On our way to the checkout, another odd thing happened! A  customer saw that we had turnips in our shopping basket, and wondered where we had gotten them. We pointed her in the general direction.

Funny how at that moment turnips seemed to have a popularity that you wouldn’t think that they would enjoy! 😂

But…you’d be surprised!

A few years ago though, a local Meijer store was sold out of them when I was on the hunt for them? I had to settle for their larger cousin – the rutabaga.

Is this a “keto” or carb thing? I honestly have no idea. I just wanted the turnips at the time to make a holiday dinner for my husband and I.

Just when we thought that our vegetable shopping expedition couldn’t get any weirder…

At the checkout, the older guy ringing us up told us more about the joys of kohlrabi. He said that he sliced them up to eat raw in sandwiches.

I told him that the only thing I knew about kohlrabi before visiting the store that day was that it was mentioned by name in a Bartles and Jaymes wine cooler commercial from the 80s. Why I still remember that is a question for the ages (I did watch a lot of TV in the 80s). Don’t get me started on some of the silly ad  jingles from the time! 😂 🎵 🎶

“That commercial said that Bartles and Jaymes paired well with everything- except kohlrabi.”

The guy laughed – “I’ll have to agree with that statement,” he said.

For inquiring minds, I’m making a slow cooker chicken/tomato/vegetable stew today with the veggies we bought. And guess what’s in it?

Turnips! Among other things (zucchini, celery, chicken, spices). Also cabbage and macaroni (added separately).

Don’t knock those weird veggies til you’ve tried ’em! 😜