Fruit 'n' veg boxes

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I'm not convinced that we'd get rhubarb yet either.

Forced Rhubarb is just coming into "season", had a lovely crumble on Sunday.......

February rhubarb festival

[m1.carson]

Hi stewy,

I'd die from anorexia if I didn't have my frying pan.

Max.

Our rhubarb is only just showing.

[agrumpycow]

Had the veg box delivered today and so far, very pleased with the contents.
Very friendly and helpful delivery driver, very keen to make sure we were pleased and said if we weren't happy with any of the ingredients let him know and they'd substitute them next time.

As a result of the contents, I'm trying Jerusalem artichoke for the first time tonight, hubby's had it before and assures me I'm going to like it
Smells a bit suspect to me while it's being cooked at the mo, but time will tell!

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Had the veg box delivered today and so far, very pleased with the contents.
Very friendly and helpful delivery driver, very keen to make sure we were pleased and said if we weren't happy with any of the ingredients let him know and they'd substitute them next time.

As a result of the contents, I'm trying Jerusalem artichoke for the first time tonight, hubby's had it before and assures me I'm going to like it
Smells a bit suspect to me while it's being cooked at the mo, but time will tell!

I LURVE Jerusalem (f)artichokes. We grew our own last year.
Don't peel them! Lovely subtle taste.
The resulting flatulence is less subtle however.
Mark my words....

[Stewy]

You beat me to it Doug, although i've never had them either I am well aware of the "wind" factor.................

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

As a result of the contents, I'm trying Jerusalem artichoke for the first time tonight, hubby's had it before and assures me I'm going to like it
Smells a bit suspect to me while it's being cooked at the mo, but time will tell!

If you have not eaten Jerusalem Artichokes before, nibble rather than gorge. They contain a chemical called Coumarin, which causes excessive flatulence in a fair percentage of people. They do taste good and nutty, but you may need to open the windows (and maybe doors).

[Paul mabbott]

One of the major points is that you buy what is in season near you - thus avoiding travel miles and/or energy-expensive greenhouses.

Originally Posted by Jez

Why does it have to be boxed? Why can't I buy what I buy just what I want? other wise I'd buy Organic from local sources! But if it's any consolation I buy organic Deodorants, soaps, toothpastes, aftershave etc

Some box schemes will only let you have what they grow while others will let you select whatever you want. Ours is half-and-half so that any week we can knock three or four things off the list. In our case this is either things that we don't like (only one actually - Jerusalem artichokes) or which we are growing ourselves - including beansprouts (continuously on the go indoors) ....

Our box arrived earlier and is (by weight) mainly potatoes, carrots, parsnips and a large sweet potato (one of the things that I suspect most people wouldn't try without prompting) along with aubergines, tomatoes, onions and broccoli. So there's going to be stew twice this next week ..... but ratatouille tonight!

[agrumpycow]

You could have warned me before I ate it!

It was very nice, a little too nice, I may have eaten too much!

If the atmosphere around Reading becomes a little fragrant you can blame me, although, I won't be bothered myself, it's never so bad when it's your own!

[Paul mabbott]

They're a lovely plant (like sunflowers) and make a nice hedgerow. However, it's the only vegetable I actively dislike (as opposed to not being enthralled by ...). This has nothing to do with its side effects.

I used to grow it as a 'hedgerow' on one site I had. Some famous gardener (may have been HFW or Geoff Hamilton) once decribed it as "making a great windbreak" - nice piece of double entendre!

Originally Posted by Stewy

You beat me to it Doug, although i've never had them either I am well aware of the "wind" factor.................

[coasty]

Jerusalem Artichokes are a great garden plant. However they can spread and if you arent careful than can become a bit of a pest , A little like horseradish,,,

But agree wih all posts above they do taste good.. Shame about the wind though,,

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by coasty

.......... can spread and if you arent careful than can become a bit of a pest , A little like horseradish,,,

Well I've never been able to grow horseradish although I know it can be a weed in some peoples plots!
In fact we've been trying to find some because we love horseradish grated on to certain foods but all commercial sauces seem to be very high on calories .... So we're hoping to to grow our own - if only we could find a supplier. Any suggestions?

[coasty]

Hi paul...

It is a weed in the local allotments,, I have seen small plants for sale with the herbs in garden centres,,, If yu get some be wary of where you plant it,,, It really takes hold

Andy