POTATO sector giant Albert Bartlett has announced an addition to its root vegetable range this autumn – salsify.

Despite being widely known in continental Europe, salsify is relatively unknown outside high-end foodie circles in the UK.

Launching the novel product, Bartlett said: 'Salsify is a versatile vegetable with a subtle flavour. Its taste is unique – a little like a mild artichoke, perhaps with a trace of liquorice or, when cooked, some even claim to detect a hint of oysters.

"Harvest is usually between late September and December. There are two varieties – black and white. Roots can be sautéed, baked, puréed or creamed to make soup. It can also be eaten raw as long as you wash it peel and then grate it or chop it finely."

The main Albert Bartlett crop is black salsify grown in Cambridgeshire and in the sandy soil of Ayrshire, but will include a small amount of white.

From this week, Albert Bartlett will supply selected Waitrose stores with salsify, and the company anticipates that its season will run through to the spring. Waitrose veg buyer Gary Grace commented: "We are excited to be introducing Albert Bartlett Salsify to our range of root vegetables in a number of our branches. Salsify is a largely forgotten vegetable that was favoured in Victorian England due to its versatility, especially during the winter months. Over recent years we have seen many of the traditional cuts of meat come back into favour and we hope that customers will feel the same about Salsify and enjoy this vegetable once again."

Salsify contains fibre, Vitamin C, B6, folate, potassium, manganese and a little bit of protein, calcium and iron. Nutritionally, it has been likened to kale, particularly in that it is low in calories and great for your digestive system.