Kohlrabi

Food editor Maggie Ruggiero became enamored of a sesame-dressed salad at Donguri, a Japanese home-cooking restaurant in New York City. This is her take on it. Because the sesame seeds are unhulled, they have a richness that flatters the freshness of spring vegetables—here, cool kohlrabi and sweet pea shoots.

We love the contrasts at play in this dish—from its earthy, sweet flavors to its velvety, crisp textures. The convenience of being able to roast these vegetables along with the turkey roulade is just another reason to make them.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Part chowder, part fish pie, this delightful blend of smoked fish, butternut squash, rutabaga, and potatoes creates a flavorful stew.

As long as the kohlrabi's greens are fresh-looking and not wilted, you can eat them. They can be sauteéd just like spinach.

Kohlrabi "bulbs" fall somewhere between the size of golf balls and softballs. The smaller they are, the sweeter they are, which is desirable for this recipe since you're serving them raw.

We especially like the combination of parsnips, kohlrabi, and celery root in this bacony mash. Prepare the dish a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld (and save time on Thanksgiving Day).

Kohlrabi, a bulbous vegetable with thin stems attached, is a member of the cabbage family. Both green and purple varieties are available. The flavor is a mix of turnip, celery root, and radish; it goes quite well with red lentils and couscous.