Saturday, September 4, 2010

Eating the Rainbow: Vegetable Garden Update

August2010 484

I tell everyone that I plant vegetables in unusual colors for my kids. I say that “kids like eating colorful food. It makes meal times more fun…” But I also tell people that I am reading the Percy Jackson books so I can discuss them with my children. And I tell people that I watch Pixar movies with my kids, because “it is  important to watch movies with your kids rather than use them a video as a babysitter”. Truth be told, I enjoy colorful vegetables, children’s literature and Pixar movies, as much as, if not more than, my children!

My son is proudly holding an Atomic Red, a Lunar White, and a Bambino Carrot. We pulled a few carrots for a salad. I hope the next time we pull one up we get a Cosmic Purple!

We have been enjoying Blue Potatoes, which are blue on the inside too: August2010 062Although our purple pepper seeds did not germinate, we have still enjoyed green, red, orange, and yellow peppers: August2010 092

Earlier this week, I shared my recipe for Vegetable Confetti, which calls for colorful peppers, at $5 Dinners.

The first couple straight neck yellow squash on the bush below, were unsurprisingly yellow. The last several squash have been green on the bottom 2 inches of the fruit: September2010 024 They still taste like yellow squash to me.

One of my green bean plants is producing purple green beans:  September2010 021 I don’t know why I have purple green beans. I only know that I did not plant any purple green beans. Of course, I did not plant morning glories in my potato patch, but some were growing in there.

And how about one normally colored vegetable? I have never been so glad to see pumpkins ripen! Last week, I went to 7 different stores trying to find pureed pumpkin and finally settled for pureed sweet potato. In response to last year’s pumpkin shortage, I planted Small Sugar Pumpkins which are great for baking. However, it will be a little while before this one is turned into a pie: September2010 018Last week I picked up a few ears of Sweet Red Corn at the Farmer’s Market and it was the best corn that I have ever tasted. I definitely want to add some to my garden next year and not just because it is red. Really!

Do you like eating unusually colored vegetables? Or do Blue Potatoes just seem wrong to you?

To view vegetable gardens from all over the country, visit Grow.Eat.$ave at $5 Dinners.

4 comments:

Alison said...

Glad your pumpkins are ripening! I don't think I will be planting any purple potatoes, but I definitely plan to try red carrots next year.

Anonymous said...

I love the carrots-that would be fun to try growing those. I would also love blue potatoes too though Bat doesn't want anything different-maybe I could sneak some in and surprise him.
It's going to be fun to see young people's movie's again -I was always too embarrased without a younger one with me but now we have a grand child. Yeah!
vickie

Melinda said...

I love the multi-colored veggies! I've never heard of red sweet corn or purple peppers - what fun!

Isabella Gift said...

Those purple green beans are actaully normal. But I don't think it is about the soil or lack of nutrition. I think the heat has something to do with it. But it tastes the same actually. That pumpkin sure is getting ready for the harvest!