Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What was hiding in the yard!

Ok so it's mid-november and we've had frost almost every night. When we get some frost it's that time of year again....

Sunchoke time!
So I got my pitch fork and went to work! I dug up a whole basket full. They will make a fine mash.
Much to my surprise I also found that the oregano was untouched by the frost, so of course I picked some.
Beans are said to be the musical fruit, but I firmly believe the sunchoke is the musical one!
Sunchokes are one of the only truly indigenous veggies from Québec. When the settlers arrived they ate the chokes just as we eat potatoes today. Why did sunchokes fall out of favor? I don't know for sure but I bet the fart factor is a reason.
They are making a comeback today and appear on the menus of some of Montreal's swankier restaurants. They have a really great flavor, nutty and mild.

I also found some kind of asian cabbage unmarked by the cold. So I picked some to use in stirfries or soup. It's delicious!

Gotta go! The garden beckons me once again. I think I saw some arugula!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Sigh. I've not had any luck at all growing anything... I wish I could get some veggies and herbs outside :)

Glad your feeling better.

Maureen said...

Sunchokes? Never heard of them!