GardentoTable and French explorer Samuel de Champlain found them grown on Cape Cod in 1605. Despite the name it has nothing to do with Jerusalem, and is not an artichoke. It was probably confused by the Italian word for sunflower, girasole, and artichoke because Champlain sent them back to France stating the tuber tasted similar to an artichoke. With 650 mg of potassium per cup, they are high in iron and contain 10% of the US RDA of fiber, niacin, thiamine, phosphorous and copper. They are easy to grow with very low maintenance, just simply dig them up at least once a year and enjoy, and leave a few in the ground to grow for next year. They are similar in texture to a potato, but have a sweet nutty flavor raw and sliced thinly for salads. RISOTTO WITH JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES AND MONTASIO CHEESE 400 grams (or 14 oz.) Arborio or Carnaroli rice 250 grams (or 8.8 oz.) Jerusalem Artichokes 100 grams (or 3.5 oz.) cubed Montasio cheese 2 tablespoons grated parmigiano cheese 1 shallot 1 clove garlic Parsley Extra virgin olive oil Butter 1 Lt (or 4.25 cups) vegetable broth White wine Clean and chop the Jerusalem Artichokes, then sauté in a little butter with the garlic and parsley. In the risotto pan sauté the shallot in oil and butter, then add the rice and let toast. Add the white wine and the hot vegetable broth a little at a time, taking a minimum and maximum of 20 minutes to cook the risotto. Add the sun chokes after about 10 minutes into the cooking, and continue cooking, adding the broth a little at a time. At the end add the Montasio and parmigiano.
FLINT CORN, VARIETY STRAWBERRY POPCORN Zea mays Grows Grows 4’ tall.
The child’s smile you see after picking, popping and sharing popcorn is the pretty face of this plant, and it even has cute little ears 2-3 inches long. The kids will learn much from growing popcorn: how it has claimed a stake in history, and also how to be patient and wait for a “Slow Food.” It must dry a little in order to pop well. This popcorn needs a very hot fire, so the old-fashioned pot on the stove works well. Popcorn is one of the oldest forms of corn, with evidence from 3600 BC found in New Mexico. The English who came to America in the 16th and 17th centuries learned about popcorn from the Native Americans, and 7,000 years before the microwave, folks in Peru roasted it over an open fire. It was a popular, inexpensive snack during the Great Depression; because it was cheap, popcorn was a solid source of income for careworn farmers. When sugar was rationed and candy production diminished in World War II, Americans ate three times more popcorn than before. High in fiber and low in calories and fat, air-popped popcorn contains no sodium, and is sugar free, so don’t destroy a great natural food with too much added flavor, salt or calories.
Eggplants were included in a “How To” manual called the “Qí mín yào shù” for ancient Chinese agriculture as a favorite food for generations of Chinese Emperors. Native to modern day India and Pakistan, eggplant has been cultivated there for over 4,000 years, especially in Burma and Assam, and is still a staple in their diet. Americans call this vegetable “eggplant” which indicates that the first varieties brought to the colonies were “Old White Eggplant,” the earliest variety that resembled an egg and had reached England in the 1500s. Treat the plants with a good supply of Earthworm castings, like those available from Appalachian Organics in Travelers Rest, as they produce more in a warm organic soil. Eggplant grows no matter how hot it becomes. Offer a sturdy stake as they gain the weight of the fruits, and harvest while young and glossy. It is a good source of folic acid and potassium, but the real secret is the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods with which it is cooked. Easiest way is to slice round and grill. After removing from the grill, drizzle good olive oil, a bit of chopped fresh parsley, salt and pepper and serve warm or cool.
The child’s smile you see after picking, popping and sharing popcorn is the pretty face of this plant, and it even has cute little ears 2-3 inches long.
ROSA BIANCA EGGPLANT Solanum melongena var.esculentum Grows Grows 2’-3’ tall.
Creamy white and pinkish lavender teardrop fruits hang like Christmas ornaments on a large leafed plant between 2-3 feet tall. The flowers are rose white with yellow stamens and bloom simultaneously while fruiting.
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