First new vegetable for 10 years the "Flower Sprout"

[JWK]

I read about this new veg recently and wondered if anyone was planning to grow any? I've found the seed supplier here http://www.tozerseedsdirect.com/seeds/flower-sprout/ so I'm going to give it a go



"Similar to Brussels Sprouts, a tall stem with rosettes forming all the way up to a frilly-leaved top. Extremely winter hardy and with a similar cropping calendar to sprouts the harvest window stretches from October to early March from mid-March sowings. The taste is milder and sweeter than a Brussels Sprout with a good texture. It is an ideal winter vegetable and can be steamed, stir-fried or microwaved"

[NatalieB]

Very interesting John, never heard of it before but certainly worth a try. I like brussel sprouts alot, but wonder if the milder taste might go down a little better? Will have to get some seeds quickly and make sure we give them a try.

Another vege (not new by any means) I want to try again this year is the asparagus pea - a highly underused product I think - and a great taste as long as harvested before it reaches about 2 inches long - otherwise it gets woody.

[JWK]

Natalie; It will be worth a try to see what the taste is like, apparently M&S have just started selling it in their veg section, that's not a store we generally use but it's the only place that stocks it.

I've never heard of the asparagus pea before, I'll have to investigate that thanks. Is it grown the same way as peas?

[Palustris]

Asparagus peas are hardly worth the bothering. Unless you pick them as soon as the flower forms, they are stringy to the extreme and the crop per plant is minimal. The taste is not that good either.
The new one sound interesting though.

[NatalieB]

Thanks John - might venture off to the local M&S and try some before deciding on planting them! Of course, we all know that they taste just that much better when you grow your own - but just for a sample

Palustris - we like them, and yes, you have to pick them young and tender - as they get extremely stringy and then woody almost. Funnily, the one year we did grow them we had a tremendous crop and the taste of them lightly sauteed with bit of butter and favourite herbs they were delicious!

[Periwinkle]

Originally Posted by Palustris

Asparagus peas are hardly worth the bothering. Unless you pick them as soon as the flower forms, they are stringy to the extreme and the crop per plant is minimal. The taste is not that good either.
The new one sound interesting though.

Sounding good for simply the taste. If M&S have got the new veggie all the better.

must have a taste sometime.

Regards
Kathy
x

[Hartley Botanic]

I would grow that just for the look of it. It's pretty!