Some advice, please?

[voluptuary_manque]

From those of you who live in areas where the seasons are only four and somewhat less devastating than wet, dry, fire, flood and quake!


Here the growing season, especially for weeds, is twelve months long. Because of that what might be described as seasonal vegetables are essentially meaningless. We can grow damned near anything, especially weeds, damned near any time. However, for culinary purposes it is still nice to be able to communicate with other parts of the world.

So, when you read or hear the phrase "spring vegetables" what comes to mind?

Tenk-yew,

 

[midwestyankee]

From those of you who live in areas where the seasons are only four and somewhat less devastating than wet, dry, fire, flood and quake!


Here the growing season, especially for weeds, is twelve months long. Because of that what might be described as seasonal vegetables are essentially meaningless. We can grow damned near anything, especially weeds, damned near any time. However, for culinary purposes it is still nice to be able to communicate with other parts of the world.

So, when you read or hear the phrase "spring vegetables" what comes to mind?

Tenk-yew,

Leaf springs to mind.

 

[Xelebes]

Spring vegetables for us is rhubarb - it's the first plant that becomes edible when the snow is melting.

 

[_Lynn_]

From those of you who live in areas where the seasons are only four and somewhat less devastating than wet, dry, fire, flood and quake!


Here the growing season, especially for weeds, is twelve months long. Because of that what might be described as seasonal vegetables are essentially meaningless. We can grow damned near anything, especially weeds, damned near any time. However, for culinary purposes it is still nice to be able to communicate with other parts of the world.

So, when you read or hear the phrase "spring vegetables" what comes to mind?

Tenk-yew,

Asparagus and rhubarb came to my mind.

 

[The_Fool]

Lettuce, Radishes and green onions.

 

[_Lynn_]

I was thinking my mom had turnips in the spring. And sugar peas too. But I could be wrong.

 

[driphoney]

From my mid-west childhood: peas, radishes, leaf lettuce, green onions.

Texas, kind of the same veggies, just months earlier, also some things I think of as 'fall' veggies, seem to be spring things here: garlic, turnips, beets.

 

[YoursSINSerely]

Spinich is another one. The beet greens might be ready, but I don't think the beets will be ready in the spring. All of the lettuces like cool weather.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

asparagus, of course, and rhubarb and green onions, but don't forget dandelions - they're up early, and the leaves make a good (slightly bitter) salad green while the roots can be boiled the same as any tuber.

 

[glynndah]

Lots of wild plants can be gathered in the spring. Dandelion greens, fiddleheads, etc.

 

[stephen55]

Okay, it is a veggie........

Fiddleheads!! Definitely fiddleheads. As for rhubarb, I have always thought of it as a type of fruit. I guess it's not but the only way I use it is in, or as a dessert. When I was a kid, growing up dirt poor but not knowing it, mom had a great rhubarb patch. After I left home to go to university in the Big City, I once asked the produce guy in a supermarket why they didn't sell rhubarb. The look I got just reinforced that I was in the Big City.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I also grew up on rhubarb sauce and pie. I doubt that I'd ever have gotten very far with HM if it turned out she didn't like the stuff. Unfortunately, this far south it doesn't thrive, at least not in heavy soils. I buy it whenever it shows up in the market! YUM . . . .

The reason I've asked is that while it's easy to cook something, like a chicken, on a bed of winter vegetables or on a bed of summer vegetables (tomato, eggplant, summer squash, etc.) I wanted a batch of spring vegies but from the list you've given me, I don't think it is possible. A Rhubarb sauce with pork or chicken, though, would have to be a winner.

 

[OneLustyWench]

Peas (they are the earliest planted crop), rhubarb, lettuce, radishes, spinach and green onions. Also my herbs just start to come back so new fresh herbs.

 

[SweetWitch]

Fiddleheads!! Definitely fiddleheads. As for rhubarb, I have always thought of it as a type of fruit. I guess it's not but the only way I use it is in, or as a dessert. When I was a kid, growing up dirt poor but not knowing it, mom had a great rhubarb patch. After I left home to go to university in the Big City, I once asked the produce guy in a supermarket why they didn't sell rhubarb. The look I got just reinforced that I was in the Big City.

I hear that. Rhubarb and strawberry pie was a favorite at our house.

I also grew up on rhubarb sauce and pie. I doubt that I'd ever have gotten very far with HM if it turned out she didn't like the stuff. Unfortunately, this far south it doesn't thrive, at least not in heavy soils. I buy it whenever it shows up in the market! YUM . . . .

The reason I've asked is that while it's easy to cook something, like a chicken, on a bed of winter vegetables or on a bed of summer vegetables (tomato, eggplant, summer squash, etc.) I wanted a batch of spring vegies but from the list you've given me, I don't think it is possible. A Rhubarb sauce with pork or chicken, though, would have to be a winner.

Well, if you were in Illinois, I would say Morel mushrooms. And asparagas. And peas. I wouldn't recommend roasting your entre on these veggies, but you could certainly serve it that way. You could serve a frittata with Morels and stirfry some pea pods and asparagas to go with it.

Peas (they are the earliest planted crop), rhubarb, lettuce, radishes, spinach and green onions. Also my herbs just start to come back so new fresh herbs.

Peas, yum. Sugar-snap and snow peas are my favorite. Sauteed with mushrooms and pearl onions--damn, now I'm hungry.

 

[Handley_Page]

New Potatoes
Asparagus
Chickory
Spring onions
Spinach
Watercress
Rhubarb

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Yup, and it's the month to plant. Peas are a winter crop here but if I can get a chance, it's time to put in the flageolet beans, the eggplants, the tomatoes and the zucchini, as well as the salad greens that will grow fast enough to get a crop before they bolt in the heat. If I get the time . . .



C'monnnnnnnnnnn, retirement!

 

[SweetWitch]

Yup, and it's the month to plant. Peas are a winter crop here but if I can get a chance, it's time to put in the flageolet beans, the eggplants, the tomatoes and the zucchini, as well as the salad greens that will grow fast enough to get a crop before they bolt in the heat. If I get the time . . .



C'monnnnnnnnnnn, retirement!

I thought bears don't eat in the winter because of hibernation...

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I thought bears don't eat in the winter because of hibernation...

It doesn't get cold enough here to send bears into hibernation. That's why California black bears are bigger than grizzlies. We eat all year 'round!


As well as loll around in hot tubs, of course.

 

[SweetWitch]

It doesn't get cold enough here to send bears into hibernation. That's why California black bears are bigger than grizzlies. We eat all year 'round!


As well as loll around in hot tubs, of course.

So, west coast bears are pigs?

 

[rengadeirishman]

meat.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

So, west coast bears are pigs?

Until we go diabetic. *Sigh!* Then we turn all Left Coast, start eating healthy, lose thirty pounds and generally get all Food Nazi and obnoxious. Pathetic, I know.

 

[SweetWitch]

Until we go diabetic. *Sigh!* Then we turn all Left Coast, start eating healthy, lose thirty pounds and generally get all Food Nazi and obnoxious. Pathetic, I know.

Tsk.