Recipe for Kohlrabi Patties for the Whole Family
Kohlrabi Patties as a Healthy, Tasty, and Sustainable Option
When you hear "patties," most people imagine the classic fried treat made from ground meat, served with mashed potatoes and a pickle. But what if there's a healthier and surprisingly tasty alternative that delights not only vegetarians but also those looking to incorporate more seasonal vegetables into their diet? Kohlrabi patties are not just an original addition to the menu but also a step towards more sustainable cooking and lifestyle.
Kohlrabi is a vegetable that continues to hold a firm place in Czech kitchens – often in the form of a salad, soup, or as a side dish with meat. Few people know that this crunchy and mildly sweet bulb can serve as the main ingredient for a hearty and delicious dish. Kohlrabi patties combine the simplicity of preparation with a surprisingly rich flavor. And what's best – they can be gluten-free and vegan.
Why Kohlrabi Patties?
At a time when more and more people are interested in plant-based diets, sustainability, and reducing food waste, it's good to seek inspiration in both traditional and forgotten recipes with local ingredients. Kohlrabi is among the so-called "humble" crops – it thrives in temperate zones, requires no complicated cultivation, and is available most of the year. Moreover, it is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, making it an ideal food for supporting immunity and digestion.
Try our natural products
While we often pass by kohlrabies unnoticed in the store, they are experiencing a renaissance at farmers' markets and in vegetable boxes from local growers. People are rediscovering that even ordinary vegetables can be the foundation for great meals – all it takes is the right recipe and a bit of imagination.
How to Make It - Recipe for Kohlrabi Patties
Making kohlrabi patties at home is easy. You only need a few common ingredients and a willingness to experiment. The patties can be prepared in many ways – baked in the oven, fried in a pan, or even as part of a burger. They are also ideal for kids, who often aren't fans of vegetables – in this form, they usually succumb.
Basic Recipe for Kohlrabi Patties
Ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized kohlrabies
- 1 large carrot
- 1 small potato
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 egg (vegans can replace it with a flax "egg")
- 4 tablespoons of oats or breadcrumbs
- salt, pepper, marjoram to taste
- a pinch of nutmeg
- oil for baking/frying
Instructions:
- Grate the kohlrabies, carrot, and potato coarsely and place them in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt, mix, and let sit for 10 minutes to release some of the water.
- Meanwhile, chop the onion finely and crush the garlic.
- Squeeze out the excess water from the grated mixture and add the onion, garlic, egg, oats or breadcrumbs, and spices.
- Mix everything thoroughly – if the mixture is too runny, add a bit more oats.
- Shape into small patties and either place them on baking paper and bake in the oven at 180 °C for about 25 minutes (turn halfway through), or fry them in a pan until golden.
Kohlrabi patties can be served with mashed potatoes, a vegetable salad, or as part of pita bread with yogurt dip. They are also ideal as a light meal for travel or work – they taste great even cold.
Seasonality and Sustainability on the Plate
One of the reasons why kohlrabi patties are becoming increasingly popular is their simplicity. You can prepare them from ingredients you probably already have at home and use up vegetable scraps from the fridge. This reduces the amount of wasted food, which is a key goal of sustainable cooking.
Moreover, seasonal vegetables, like kohlrabi, have a lower ecological footprint than those imported or grown in greenhouses. Did you know, for example, that according to FAO data, up to a third of globally produced food goes to waste? Yet local and seasonally prepared meals can significantly reverse this trend.
A great example is a young family from Brno who decided to cut back on supermarket shopping and started subscribing to vegetable boxes from a local farmer. "Every week we have different vegetables and have to come up with new recipes. Kohlrabi patties were a surprise – simple and the kids love them," says Martina, a mother of two young children. Such an approach not only supports the local economy but also teaches children a relationship with food and nature.
Nutritional Benefits That Delight the Body and Soul
Kohlrabi is often an overlooked ingredient, even though it has much to offer. It contains high amounts of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and fiber. It's low in calories and yet filling, making it perfect for weight loss diets or as part of a light dinner. The carrot in the recipe adds beta-carotene and sweetness, while the potato helps bind the mixture without the need for gluten.
If you want to enrich the patties further, you can add finely chopped herbs, grated cheese, or a bit of chickpea flour to increase the protein content. The sky's the limit – the important thing is that the food tastes good and doesn't weigh you down.
When Food Makes Sense
To cook kohlrabi patties, you don't need any special equipment or experience. Just a willingness to try new things and openness to a different take on traditional cuisine. And that's where the magic lies – Czech cuisine doesn't have to sacrifice taste to be healthy, eco-friendly, and modern.
At a time when there's increasing talk about climate change, loss of biodiversity, and responsible consumerism, even a seemingly small step like preparing a lunch from kohlrabi can be part of a larger change. Every choice counts – and if yours leads to simple, homemade food that doesn't burden the planet and tastes good to the whole family, then there's no dilemma.
Next time you're at the vegetable counter and hesitating about those big, green bulbs with leaves, remember: kohlrabi patties are not just a recipe, they're an attitude towards food and life.
