Unusual things to grow and eat

[Oola]

Just wondering about what I want to grow this year. I'm trying to expand my horizons and eat things that I usually wouldn't find or opt for in a supermarket (yes, I know, I should be going to the farm shops...).

My step-uncle gave me half a turnip that he grew so I could try them. I've always known about them - I seem to remember a story that I was told as a child about a turnip that someone tried to dig up, and then needed more and more help to pull it out lol. Anyway - the point is, is that I've never actually eaten turnips, despite them being one of the oldest cultivated vegetables in existence!

I'm going to try growing some different curcubits - two different squashes at least this year. I'm also opting for some broad beans. But what other things do you suggest I try? Is there anything you grow that's a bit different or usually hard to find? Ideas most welcome!

[magic cochin]

Here's some of my veg plot favourites that you probably won't find in the greengrocers or supermarket (and they're easy to grow)

Chard - try Rainbow Chard, so many beautiful colours to brighten the garden, tastes great and it's good for you.

Radishes - (no ... wait ... don't say you hate them) let them flower (pretty and edible) and go to seed, the young seed pods are lovely in salads.

Coriander - sow outside from April onwards (don't transplant they'll go to seed quickly), you'll have loads of fresh coriander for summer recipes. Let some flower - really pretty - and set seed to collect for next year.

Cut-and-come-again (loose leaf) lettuce - lots of varieties (frilly, red, oak-leaf) - you can just pick what you want when you need.

Red Orache - also called Hamalayan Spinach. Beautiful slightly fleshy pinky-red-green leaves for use raw in salads or put into stir fries. The pink-red faethery flower stalk is dramatic too.

Salsify - the Vegetable Oyster (root veg) but I grow it for the flower buds, they're lovely in stir fries. Let some flower - lovely purple flowers pretty enough for the flower border and dramatic giant "dandelion - clock" seed heads.


If you're feeling adventurous and want to support a good cause, join the Heritage Seed Library (http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl/index.php). Help to ensure that the diversity of vegetable varieties live on and grow some amazing heritage vegetable varieties.

:) Celia

[jazzactivist]

Hi Oola, I have always enjoyed growing mange tout, different types of beans and squashes, and also the more unusual types of potatoes. Also, some of the more unusual herbs such as chervil and Vietnamese corriander. This year, if I still have a garden, I intend to try growing some Jerusalem artichokes as I saw a nice recipe on a TV programme for baked artichoke wedges with lemon and corriander mayonnaise. The plants look good too as they are tall with flowers a bit like yellow daisies. Apparently you have to grow them somewhere that you can keep them under control, though, as they do spread.

[lily]

Tuscan Kale grows well, lasts into the winter, cooks well in stir fry. May say Cavalo Nero on packet. Mixes with chard, mentioned by magic cochin. I've grown Jack be Little squash, it performed well unlike butternut which was a bit disappointing. land cress is excellent. tastes like its watery relative and mine has lasted all through the winter.

[Oola]

Some interesting ideas! I've been scouring the seed stands at one of my local garden centres as they're doing half price seeds until the end of January. Yesterday I bought amongst the usuals for me, aubergines and butternut squash. I'd like to try a range of squashes/curcubits and should be more adventurous with my herbs and salad leaves. I'm possibly the only vegetarian on the planet who isn't very keen on salad at all, couldn't eat it on it's own in a bowl and definitely not with raw tomatoes (yeuuuuk!). I will definitely take all your suggestions into consideration. lily my Mum loves watercress so I'll suggest the land cress to her.

Jazz I've often wondered about artichokes, although I think I've only ever eaten globe artichokes. I did enjoy them, but again it's one of those things I'm going to have to research before I plant. As long as I know I've got lots of recipes I can use them in I'll have a go at growing it!

Celia I did wonder about joining the heritage seed library last year, but as I'm currently masquerading as a poor street urchin (and looking a bit like one too), I haven't been able to put the money towards it. But it's definitely something I want to do in the future! Amongst my library of gardening books I have the Heligan Vegetable Bible, which cites many old varieties that I wouldn't mind having a go at growing, probably best sourced from the HSL.

[sunflower]

I have grown Jerusalem artichokes for 2 years now......but have'nt dug them up to eat them yet!!! Jazz is right, they are an attractive plant with a pretty sunflower waving at about 5 foot. They make good wind shields for other plants. Mange Tout has to be my favourite though. Sweet and lovely. Mine rarely see the kitchen. I eat them as I pick them!! Last year for the first time I grew chillies for one of my sons.(I do'nt eat them) According to him, they were hotter and tastier than the shop bought ones, also looked attractive.

[franbee]

Need to be careful eating Jerusalem artichokes....

[Oola]

Yeah, heard about that...although the starch that causes it is apparently very good for you!

[Redstart]

Try perennial rocket - this grows into quite a bush and comes up every year, so you don't have to keep growing seed. There are also lots of different chillies to grow from seed, ranging from mild to red hot. Tiny French or Italian turnips make a lovely summer vegetables (I grow Tipo Milano) - you eat them when they are about the size of a tennis ball, no bigger. In fact alovely summer meal for is a vegetable plate of turnips, new potatoes, courgettes, mangetouts, etc. - home grown vegetables simply cooked straight from the garden! Mmmmm!