Here it is-- the first delivery of the season. The above photo is of our pea patch. The peas are about two weeks behind schedule, due to a very cold April and most of May. Will they catch up and yield well? Or will they flower prematurely and give us a short crop? And what about the carrots? Time will tell.
I'm going to try to introduce each new vegetable as it comes into season. Let us start with Lettuce. (sorry, couldn't resist that awful, overused joke). Presumably you all know what that is, and that it is eaten in salads in this country. But did you know that in former times varieties were grown for pickling? Sounds awful, doesn't it? And in some parts of Asia varieties are grown for cooking. But the varieties we grow here are for salads.
Next we come to Tokyo Bekana.
It is a mild flavored, tender type of Chinese cabbage, best for light cooking, as in a stir fry or, as I discovered last evening, surprisingly good in curry, with the ribs still crunchy and the leaves melt -in- my- mouth tender. It grows quickly-- that's why we have it now-- but doesn't like the heat, so it will be around only for a few weeks. Mostly I grow it because it is the only vegetable I know whose color is a natural chartreuse.
And now-- arugula.
Oftentimes it is packaged in bags, but we find it keeps better in bunches like the one pictured above. Its peppery, pungent flavor is beloved by many, unpleasant to some, and detested by a few.
Semispicy baby Asian greens mix for salads-- is a mixture of various Asian greens and mustards. It comes in a bag. Even though it looks pretty clean, we have not washed it, so it is it is not ready to eat, unless you don't mind the occasional but of soil on your salad. Great mixed with lettuce.
Oops! out of time. I guess I won't be introducing each and every new vegetable after all. You'll have to introduce yourselves. I hope everything goes well with the first delivery-- remember to text me if there is confusion on the delivery day-- 717 585 4897. Be sure to check that the delivery site listed is the one you want.
John
