The British called this plant “glasswort” and the French called it “samphire.” The French name is the most commonly used today along with sea asparagus and sea pickle. There are two versions: marsh samphire and rock samphire. Rock samphire is fairly rare and not easy to find. Marsh samphire, the most common, grows wild along … Read more
Rabbage is a cross between two unrelated plants, Cabbage and Radish, Actually it was once thought next to impossible to breed two plants that were unrelated but modern science found a way. Technically they are not GMOs but they teter on the fence between hybrid and Genetically Modified Organism [GMO]. They are known as ‘intergeneric … Read more
What is Radicchio? Radicchio is actually a type of Chicory, it is red, often called Italian chicory, and bears a strong resemblance to red cabbage. When properly used it adds not only aesthetic value to many dishes due to its vibrant color but is most importantly very flavorful. Radicchio is a frost-tolerant vegetable that, cool weather … Read more
Malabar spinach hails from East Asia and flourishes as a perennial in subtropical regions of the World, but is grown successfully as an annual elsewhere. Unlike most green leafy vegetables it flourishes in hot balmy weather. Botanically speaking it isn’t truly a Spinach, it is a vining plant. From a culinary point of view — … Read more
Growing Bitter Melons Bitter melons aka bitter gourd or karela in India, are curcubits, related to cucumber, squash, cantaloupe and other melons. They have been popular in Asian cuisine for centuries. Varieties differ widely both in overall appearance and shape as well as in taste. The fruit is commonly eaten green, just prior to its turning … Read more
Ivy gourd aka Coccinia cordifolia aka C.grandis is closely related to cucumbers, but its not a cucumber. It is also closely related to Melons, but its not a melon. It is distantly related to gourds but it’s not a gourd. In India they call it tindora, in some places they call it baby watermelon, but … Read more
Loofah gourd aka Luffa is most commonly known for the ‘loofah sponges’ it produces, is used for cleaning and bathing. A loofah scrub is frequently used in saunas and is the preffered back scrubber of tree huggers, hippies and herbalists around the world. It is 100% natural and works well leaving no carbon foot print. … Read more
Jerusalem artichoke is not related to true artichokes. It is in the sunflower family and closely resembles the common sunflowers. Also known as sunchoke, it is considered an invasive weed in some places, in others it is a staple crop that produces an edible tuber similar to potatoes. Healthy Jerusalem Artichoke plants produce an average of 60 … Read more
Rambe maritima Brassica USDA Zones 4 – 9 Soil pH 6.5-7.5 Full Sun ~ Partial Shade Perennial Contrary to what its name implies Sea Kale is not a type of seaweed, it has been called sea kale since the days of the Roman Empire when it grew wild primarily along the Atlantic sea shores … Read more
Blitum capitatum syn. Chenopodium capitatum Full Sun-Partial Shade Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.8 Strawberry spinach is an annual edible native North American plant. It produces Spinach , as well as edible berries. It is more heat tolerant than common spinach and is available in warmer weather when other spinach plants are not producing. In reality, is not … Read more