Many readers have responded to Nicky Cater-Joubert's query about the elusive swede (Grill Hills, March 20).

As a Scot living in the Cape, I also miss not being able to get swedes, but I have found an alternative called geel raap (yellow turnip) which is every bit as tasty as the swede - especially if it is peeled, chopped and boiled in some salt water until tender and then mashed with lots of butter and black pepper. I manage to get them at Checkers or, occasionally, Pick n Pay. - Johan Ingram (Mrs)

I grow about six swedes every year in my garden in Johannesburg. I'd be happy to send Cater-Joubert some seeds if she wants to grow her own. I much prefer them to the white turnips which I find so bitter.

In the UK, they are a winter vegetable; you plant the seeds from May-July and then harvest October to March. Here in Johannesburg, I generally plant the seeds in November-December and leave them in the ground until I am ready to eat them. They are easy to grow. - Amanda Renwick

Swedes are certainly available in South Africa, but only around November. My wife always buys them whenever they are available at the supermarket. They make a delicious change from turnips.

Swedes are best diced very small, with an equal amount of carrots, and mashed with a knob of butter and a pinch of salt and pepper. I have also grown them successfully from seed obtained from Stark Ayers of Stellenbosch, though they are a slow grower. - R Hannath

I once found some swedes at Checkers in Somerset West, to my great surprise and joy. As an Australian who has been living here for 45 years, I was used to them as a child but could never find them. At the time, I bought several bunches, cut them up and blanched them, and froze them successfully for use over the following months. They are wonderful in Cornish pasties with carrot, potato and onion.

Can someone advise why another elusive, tasty vegetable, kohlrabi (German turnip), is so rare? It should grow in the Stellenbosch area in winter/spring, but not in our very hot summers. It's also interesting to note that our gem squash is not found easily in Australia. My daughter there longs for it but it appears to be impossible to find in Victoria. - Judy Krohn