Just Put It In Your Mouth

And see what happens? I am not talking about the Adult Entertainment Industry here friends, I am of course talking about the introduction of new vegetables in my garden this year. I find it quite rare nowadays to meet people with curiosity for new or uncommon vegetables. I know people as a matter of fact who simply find them repulsive because they grow in the dirt... Which begs the question: Why do you prefer something that came out of somethings butt or probably was fed its own poop. Believe me, I am no vegetarian but on the scale of all things gross, I find it barely comparable.

Kohlrabi

I had kohlrabi for the first time last year after visiting the Redmond Saturday Market. I had seen it around in some grocery store but had never tried it. The stem makes several long leafs and creates this bulb that you harvest, trim and eat like a root vegetable. It's truly a beautiful plant that could make it in the decorative category. I am looking forward seeing if  they produce a decent bulb this year. These actually overwintered.

Paw Paw Tree

New addition to my backyard, a lovely couple of Paw Paw trees. These exotic looking younglings will be growing up to 15 feet tall and produce a fruit which apparently tastes like banana custard. It's one of the few fruits you probably will never see in the grocery stores. I probably won't see any fruits until next year or more, until they are well established but am already intrigued by its exotic looks.

 

 Arugula... Surprise, the flower.

 

So I've grown arugula plenty of times And was a little disappointed this spring when it bolted during the few warm days we had a month ago. I have been picking at the leaf and removing the stems as I do thinking that it was pretty much a wash until I discovered that unlike most things that bolts, there is a positive twist: the flowers. They are actually edible and a fantastic addition to your arugula salad. Those who have had nasturtiums before will recognize the same complexity in their taste, from an onion like to arugula to sweet and aromatic. Arugula is so easy to grow, it add some spiciness to your greens and provides long after its prime. Try it!