I've done my talk on unusual veg quite few times now ( a few dozen!), it's a really popular one and one I love doing. I just love talking about all these unusual foods that my kids think are normal yet people have never heard of. In fact I love it so much that I've put together a second talk on the subject and garden clubs seem keen to have me back with that one as well!
One thing I do get a lot from it is often people telling me they've grown something from the list and didn't like. Normally it's Achochas or Cucamelons.
Each time I have the same answer -
You're eating them wrong!
Normally people say the skins were too tough (in the case of the Cucs) or the seeds got in the way (in the case of achochas). But both of these plants are best picked at their youngest. The cucamelons get to the size of a grape and then just stay there, skins getting harder but not growing; the achochas start to form seeds after about a day and a half with an empty cavity full of Bart Simpson's head shaped seeds!
The picture above shows a Achocha at the peak for eating off the plant. They're not huge like this, but what the fruit lacks in individual size it makes up for in numbers and vigour - this plant is unstoppable. I put a few in the polytunnel and I'd say I picked these fruit 20ft away from where it's in the ground! It climbs everything and grows at an incredible rate - you can almost watch it growing!
One thing I haven't done with it much is cook with it, so that is something I must experiment a bit more with. I've gone it off and on for the last 6 years and I think after really getting to grips with the fact it needs to be eaten small if eaten fresh that it is now a regular summer staple here and will be grown yearly.
Another huge advantage is the fact it's dead easy to save see from and the seeds are pretty much indestructible.
Who else has these growing in their garden? is it something you grow regularly? What top tips would you give for using them?
Kev, I live it the hot and humid. I try growing corn and beans every year, but fail miserably. I do much better with Black Eyed Peas and Sweet Potatoes.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think playing to your climates strength is important, that's why I'm loving the polytunnel so much this year, along with the greenhouses, really ups the number of things I can grow. I need to grow sweet potatoes as still havent yet and we love eating them in this house!
DeleteKev, this is only my second year growing sweet potatoes. They are really rather easy to grow as long as they have sun.
DeleteThat might be my trouble, even where the polytunnel is is a little shaded at points. A good year I might manage it. Must add it to my list to try next year - be good.for my talks if nothing else. New zealnad yams are a good one to try.
DeleteI had no idea Achocha can have such big spikes on its skin. I've been growing it for years, but I had a variety without spikes. Indeed, they are the best when they are young, although I used to harvest big ones too and mix them in a jar with whole peppers. When you force someone to clean the peppers before eating they don't complain about cleaning achohca. They actually enjoy the big seeds and easy cleaning :) I lost the seeds while we were moving and they can't be bought here so no Achocha this year, but I'll find them sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteI grew the big ones one year and just got swamped, I was worried they were going to take over the earth! Where are you? I know real seeds have the big ones.
DeleteI look longingly at all your things you have grown. I need a green house or a poly tunnel here. We have had rain, then torrential rain, then rain and hail. My peas only got to 15-20cm tall the wind here has clipped their growth. Maybe in the future I will be back on the horse. Right now I am reading your blog like its food porn.
ReplyDeleteThis year we have nailed for production, so much coming out of the garden- but to anyone else my garden is just a big weedy mess! Maybe you could get one of those polycarbonate tunnels they make for exposed areas? I'm my tunnel this year but really over planted it and regret that a bit as you have to literally fight your way in!
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