Unusual British Vegetable Varieties

If you’re passionate about growing your own vegetables, you might be on the lookout for something a little different. Unusual British vegetable varieties offer a unique way to spice up your garden and your dinner table. In this post, I’ll introduce you to some of the more intriguing and lesser-known veggies you can grow in the UK, whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out. And if you’re ready to add some excitement to your garden, you’ll find links to where you can purchase these varieties from us!

What is classed as an unusual vegetable?

An “unusual” vegetable is one that you may not commonly see in supermarkets or even in most traditional home gardens. These can include heirloom or heritage varieties that have been passed down through generations, as well as newer breeds that are gaining popularity for their unique flavours, textures, or colours. Often, these vegetables are rare or less commercially viable due to their distinct growing requirements or limited yield.

Unusual vegetables tend to bring something different to the table, whether it’s a vibrant hue, a wild flavour profile, or even a different shape and texture. These types of vegetables are often open-pollinated, meaning they are naturally self-pollinating or cross-pollinating without human intervention, which is why they tend to be more biodiverse and resilient.

To dive deeper into the significance of these vegetables, you can read more about open-pollination, heirlooms, and heritage vegetables in our Open Pollination Heirloom & Heritage Guide. So, let’s take a closer look at these fascinating vegetables, and I’ll guide you on how to grow them, when to sow them, and how to use them in your cooking.

Kale ‘Jardin Crimson’

Kale Jardin Crimson

How to grow:

 Check out our blog that dives deeper into how to sow and grow Kale HERE.

Best time to sow:

 The best time to sow kale is from February to May in full sun.

Tastes most like:

This pretty kale variety has the usual earthy and delicious kale flavour you’d expect and is packed with nutrients.

How to cook:

To cook kale, keep it quick and fresh to preserve its vibrant goodness. Strip the leaves from the stems, rinse them, and toss them into a hot pan with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt. Add a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of chilli flakes if you’re feeling fancy, but honestly, kale’s flavour is so robust it doesn’t need much help. Simple, fresh, and utterly delicious!

Purple Sprouting Broccoli Rudolph

Purple Sprouting Broccoli Rudolph

How to grow:

  Read our handy blog about common problems when growing brassicas HERE to help you get ahead when growing your broccoli.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your broccoli seeds is between February to May in a position that gets full sun.

Tastes most like:

This is one of the best tasting broccolis around.

How to cook:

 Purple sprouting broccoli is a stunner in both the garden and the kitchen, so treat it simply to let its flavour shine. Blanch the tender stems briefly in boiling water, then toss them into a hot pan with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or a dash of chili for a bit of zing, and you’ve got a dish as vibrant as it is delicious.

Artichoke Italian Purple

Artichoke Italian Purple

How to grow:

 Dive deeper into growing this beautiful heirloom and other perennial vegetables you can grow in the UK HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your artichoke seeds is February – May in a position that gets full sun.

Tastes most like:

 A delectable treat for you foodies out there.

How to cook:

Artichokes are a labor of love, but their tender hearts are well worth the effort! Start by trimming the tough outer leaves and snipping the thorny tips, then steam or boil until a leaf pulls away easily. Serve with a simple garlic butter or lemony aioli, and savor the joy of scraping each leaf to uncover the prized, buttery heart within.

Celery Blush

Celery Blush

How to grow:

We’ve written a blog that goes deeper into how to sow and grow Celery from seed HERE.

Best time to sow:

Celery seeds are best sown from February – May and grown in a position with full sun.

Tastes most like:

Tastes like the classic celeries but with a pretty pink tinge.

How to cook:

Celery often gets overlooked, but it’s a kitchen superhero with so much to offer. Roast it in the oven with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt until caramelized and tender, or slice it thin and toss it into a hot pan for a quick sauté with garlic and herbs. Cooked celery transforms, becoming sweet, silky, and full of rich, earthy flavour—perfect as a side dish or a base for soups and stews

Carrot Black Nebula

Carrot Black Nebula

How to grow:

Check out our blog on how to sow and grow carrots HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your carrot seeds is between February to May in full sun.

Tastes most like:

Black carrots have a delicious earthy flavour and are packed with antioxidants.

How to cook:

Black Nebula carrots are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, their deep purple hue turning everything they touch into a vibrant work of art. Roast them whole with a drizzle of honey and a dash of cumin to highlight their natural sweetness, or slice them thin and pickle them to add a tangy, jewel-toned twist to salads and sandwiches. However you cook them, these carrots are guaranteed to steal the show!

Mangelwurzel Red

Mangelwurzel Red

How to grow:

Mangelwurzels can be sown and grown just like beetroots. Check out our blog that goes further into how to grow them HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your Mangelwurzel seeds is between February to July in a position that gets full sun

Tastes most like:

Mangelwurzels taste much like a beetroot and are a really versatile, value for money veg

How to cook:

Mangelwurzels, often overlooked, are a delightful root veg with a sweet, earthy flavor. Roast them in wedges with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt for a caramelized treat, or boil, mash, and season with butter and black pepper for a comforting side dish.

Chicory Rossa Di Treviso Precoce

Chicory Rossa Di Treviso Precoce

How to grow:

Check out our guide on how to sow and grow chicory and other salad leaves HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your chicory seeds is between April – July in full sun.

Tastes most like:

Chicory has a slightly bitter flavour that compliments oily fish and steaks, cutting through the fats.

How to cook:

Chicory has a slightly bitter edge that mellows beautifully when you cook it. Try roasting the leaves with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt, letting them crisp at the edges, or sauté them with garlic and a splash of vinegar for a warm, tangy side dish that pairs perfectly with winter meals.

Hyacinth Bean Ruby Moon

Hyacinth Bean Ruby Moon

How to grow:

Read our full guide on how to sow and grow beans HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your beans is between February and May.

Tastes most like:

Tastes much a like a normal bean but with all of the colour to bring your dishes to life!

How to cook:

Hyacinth bean ‘Ruby Moon’ adds a touch of vibrant color to any dish, and its tender beans are a treat when cooked right. Simply boil them until soft, then toss them with a bit of olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs for a light, summery salad, or sauté them with garlic and onions for a savoury addition to your favourite grain dishes. Just remember to cook them well, as raw beans can be a bit tough!

Gourd Snake Bean

Gourd Snake Bean

How to grow:

Check out our guide on how to sow and grow gourds HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow these seeds is between February and May.

Tastes most like:

Gourd snake bean is a little like Okra and holds its shape really well in the dishes you cook with it – it’s a staple food in India.

How to cook:

With their long, twisting pods, gourd snake beans are a fun and versatile veg to work with. Pick them young and tender, then stir-fry them with onions and a splash of soy sauce for a simple, savoury dish. You can also toss them into a curry, where their mild flavour soaks up all the aromatic spices—perfect for a cosy, hearty meal.

Spinach Red Orach

Spinach Red Orach

How to grow:

Read our full guide on how to sow and grow spinach and other salad leaves HERE.

Best time to sow:

The best time to sow your Spinach Red Orach seeds is between February to May.

Tastes most like:

 This beautiful purple leafed veg tastes very much like spinach – pick the younger leaves for the best flavour and cook them lightly as you would spinach.

How to cook:

Red orach, with its vibrant magenta leaves, is a beautiful alternative to spinach in the kitchen. Lightly wilt it in a pan with a splash of olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon to bring out its earthy sweetness. It also works wonderfully in salads, offering a mild spinach-like flavour with a touch of colour and texture.

Choose your unusual vegetable seeds

If you’re ready to bring these delicious and intriguing varieties into your garden, don’t wait! Start preparing for next year’s harvest and shop for seeds now. Growing your own unusual vegetables is a fun way to expand your culinary horizons. Visit our shop to find all of these varieties and more to grow in your garden.

Happy gardening!