Uncommon vegetables? do you grow any?

[suzjbibby]

I love growing Jerusalem Artichokes I harvest the roots in Autumn and peel and use them much like potatoes though they have a more nutty flavour. Once you grow them you will always have them unless you make a concerted effort to dig up all the roots. I grow mine along a side fence and the tall fast growing stalks are simmilar to sunflowers, they make a lovely screening plant from the neighbours at least during spring and summer

do you have any uncommon vegies you like to grow?

 

[zigs]

I like Jerusalem Artichokes, but my digestive system doesn't.

Got some Calaloo seedlings coming up, not tried it yet though, as I managed to kill last years plants.

 

[loopyloo]

This year we are trying to grow purple tomatillios. I have no idea how they will turn out but I thought it would add a nice splash of purple to my garden so we decided to make a go of it. Its almost time to start those seeds and start counting down to planting them in the great outdoors.

 

[Ian]

I don't know if I've had Jerusalem artichokes before... would I use them the same way as potatoes for example? Globe artichokes on the other hand, I can't get enough of (as it happens, we're cooking with some right now in a risotto!).

Got some Calaloo seedlings coming up, not tried it yet though, as I managed to kill last years plants.

Please let me know if you have success with Callaloo . If only it was possible to grow Ackee in the UK too.

 

[suzjbibby]

I don't know if I've had Jerusalem artichokes before... would I use them the same way as potatoes for example? .

Yes they can be used in place of or in combination with potatoes in a lot of recipes, but they are not as hard as potatoes and have a shorter cooking time. They can become quite mushy if they get overcooked

 

[Jed]

I'm a fan of Jerusalem Artichokes. The way to eat them is to boil them for a time and make a bowl of tasty flavours. Olive oil pepper and soy sauce. Squeeze the tubers into it and eat throwing the skin away. This may help your problem zigs. Some call them Farty chokes.
I had them growing for years and always left plenty in the ground. For some reason this year I have only a couple of small plats. It's if they have been exhausted using this method. Also mine have never flowered here in the cooler climate of Tasmania .

 

[zigs]

Please let me know if you have success with Callaloo . If only it was possible to grow Ackee in the UK too.

Had to Google Ackee, looks interesting

I will do Ian, it failed last year, but so did everything else. Was eating 2 year old beetroot at lunchtime

 

[Ian]

Had to Google Ackee, looks interesting

I will do Ian, it failed last year, but so did everything else. Was eating 2 year old beetroot at lunchtime

Thanks zigs

This is a great meal to have with Callaloo: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/ackeeandsaltfish_86812

The supermarkets near us sell tinned Ackee in the world foods section (looks very much like scrambled eggs when you use it), but personally I'd skip using salt cod and just use some fresh cod instead (easier and tastier, IMO - although not authentic).

 

[Rzashida]

I just bought Jerusalem Articokes, and plan on planting them tomorrow. I've never tasted them, but the flowers are marvelous. I plan on growing planting root vegetables this week ginger and, turmeric too.

 

[zigs]

I just bought Jerusalem Articokes, and plan on planting them tomorrow. I've never tasted them, but the flowers are marvelous. I plan on growing planting root vegetables this week ginger and, turmeric too.

Go steady on the Artichokes if you've not tried them before, they can make the World fall out of your bottom

 

[zigs]

Please let me know if you have success with Callaloo . If only it was possible to grow Ackee in the UK too.

Progress report : Blooming hopeless at the moment, most of them keeled over and died, 2 surviving ones I've re potted twice, still only an inch high with 3 true leaves. Greenfly keep attacking them too

 

[Ian]

Progress report : Blooming hopeless at the moment, most of them keeled over and died, 2 surviving ones I've re potted twice, still only an inch high with 3 true leaves. Greenfly keep attacking them too

Ah not good . Do you think you'll give it a try again next year?

 

[zigs]

Ah not good . Do you think you'll give it a try again next year?

I'll still keep trying with it this year Ian, all is not lost yet.

Nothing is getting away yet, need warmer temps.

 

[dconklin]

Go steady on the Artichokes if you've not tried them before, they can make the World fall out of your bottom

Makes me worried to try it I have only had it in things (like pasta with artichokes.) I had often thought about trying it from the store but not sure that I want the world to fall out!

The strangest vegetable for me would be the purple peppers and chocolate beauty peppers I am growing this year. I have grown peppers, but I am new to these 2 varieties.

 

[zigs]

Pasta with Artichokes is more lightly to be Globe Artichokes, not related. Globe Artichokes are Thistles, Jerusalem Artichokes are Sunflowers.