We are at the height of summer vegetable gardening across the northern hemisphere. Plants are established in their spaces and we, the gardeners, are starting see the rewards for our work. Surely a garden tour is in order, right? Keep in mind, that my garden is mostly potential at the moment, not edible produce.

This week, pause for an extra couple of minutes in your produce department. Take a special gander at what's new, what's unfamiliar. Skip past the broccoli and the sweet potatoes, the stuff you know and cook again and again. This time of year (at least in the northern hemisphere), chances are, you'll find kohlrabi, the cabbage- and turnip-like vegetable. Find ones with green skins or purple skins, no matter, the flesh inside is white and firm and moist - and quite sweet too. You can eat raw, like an apple, just be sure to peel it first. You may want to buy a couple of pounds, for in addition to eating raw kohlrabi, there are so many great ways to cook with it, too.

Freddie and his mum Charlotte from the UK food blog The Great Big Vegetable Challenge are issuing a challenge to kids and cooks around the world. Mum says: "It has been Britain's wettest summer on record. Entertaining children in the wet is never easy. We have watched our entire DVD collection, played board games and visited all the museums. But who would have thought the answer to family boredom lay in the vegetable basket?" ~ The Great Big Vegetable Challenge Ready to take on Freddie's challenge? See who else is responding and check all the details, Go On, You Know You Want To BlogHer food editor and veggie lover Alanna Kellogg couldn't resist the challenge and is proud to unveil the Great Green Forest Creature.