Slivers of rich duck breast and liver were balanced by celeriac and dandelion greens.

NEWYORKER: Isa

Celeriac is a celery variety refined over time to produce an increasingly large, solid, globular root just below the soil surface.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

Also known as celery root, knob celery and turnip-rooted celery, celeriac developed from the same wild species as did stalk celery.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

Dishes include short paccheri pasta with chickpeas, red shrimp and cardamom powder, alongside signature dishes like grilled, marinated partridge with cabbage, celeriac and herbs.

BBC: Florence for foodies

Celeriac is cousin to anise, carrots, parsley and parsnips, some of which are bred for their edible stalks and tops, others for their edible roots.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

This time of year, celeriac can be a perfect non-starch substitute for potatoes in a warming meal, and can be prepared in a similar way.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

Even if you are planning to fry or bake the celeriac later, parboiling it first for 5 or 10 minutes in acidulated water will soften its raw edge.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

The menu seems more suited to a big-city bistro than a rural pub, offering celeriac gratin and pigeon pithivier (a type of pie) rather than chicken pie and mash.

BBC: The perfect trip: The Lake District

Admittedly, celeriac does have a couple of slight drawbacks.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

Greet celeriac, the unsung frog prince of winter vegetables.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

In Europe, however, celeriac is a historic favorite.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac