Featured Product: Massachusetts Bok Choy

A veggie that has raised its Farmer's market profile in recent years is Bok Choy, aka bak choi, paak choi, Chinese chard cabbage and Chinese mustard cabbage. It is a vegetable that resembles celery although it is actually a member of the cabbage family. It has thick, white stalks and dark green leaves that have a round shape.

When purchasing bok choy, select stalks that are pure white and firm. Additionally, look for leaves that are dark green and non-wilted. Do not select bok choy that has any brown spots on its leaves, as this type of bok choy is less flavorful. Once purchased, you can safely store bok choy in your home for up to three days provided that you refrigerate it in a plastic bag immediately

Bok choy continues to rise in popularity as a milder-tasting  alternative to cabbage, that can be used either raw, or cooked in soups and stir-fries. Both bok choy's stalks and leaves are edible. When cooked, it has a sweet flavor and its stalks are firm. Baby bok choy is best when cooked whole and used as a side dish to a meat entrée.

Another reason that bok choy is becoming popular to use, besides its similarity to cabbage, is because of its nutritional value. One half cup of raw bok choy, which is approximately 56 grams, contains only 10 calories. Additionally, bok choy contains no fat or cholesterol and is a good source of calcium. It is also low in sodium and high in vitamins C and A. 

Find farms growing vegetables that may include bok choy in Massachusetts: