Lift the bulb carefully with a hand trowel, without bruising it, and leave it on the soil to let the outer skin dry and harden.

As well as green, the outer skin of this long, narrow vegetable can be shades of purple, dark red or yellow.

Peel back the outer skin to reveal a crisp interior with more uses to it than its many layers.

I always peel broad beans as the outer skin detracts from their subtle, creamy flavour and it's a shame not to see their brilliant colour.

Add a chopped apple, the fennel, finely diced after the tough outer skin has been removed, the sliced chicory bulbs, the broccoli and spring onions.