So Many Varieties!

[digitS']

We all know there are lots of tomato varieties.

Would you have expected so many varieties of broccoli raab (link).

How 'bout, escarole and endive (link)?

I have grown one variety of escarole, thanks to @Nyboy . (I should tag him to explain all this!!) I grew broccoli raab once and decided it didn't like my garden. Maybe, I just tried the wrong one so I tried a few seeds from the garden center in 2014. It did fine but I'm sure neither were identified by more than "broccoli raab" on the packet.

Are you surprised at how wide the offerings are for some vegetables with which you have little experience? And, what are you gonna do about it?

Steve

 

[digitS']

I can see this all gettin' outta hand!

More Broccoli Raab

Escarole and Endive

Then there is that Pomona tomato I'd like to try ...

You know, Pinetree Seed used to separate their seed categories by ethnic gardens. I'm glad they don't do that anymore. It made for like 4 or 5 places to look for a tomato, for example. I'll see what they have in these greens ... and tomatoes, and, and ....

Steve

 

[Nyboy]

I vote for the Escarole Endive mixed seed pack.

 

[TheSeedObsesser]

Is endive/escarole that good? I've read that they taste similar to each other. But I haven't grown/eaten either of them before. I have been meaning to branch further into cool weather crops and have more than enough room to plant. The room that I have is usually cover-cropped, especially in the fall because winter here seems to have a habit of jumping out of nowhere. I would like to have more fall vegi plantings.

I'm already thinking about buying those endive/escarole seeds and I don't know what's so great about them. I just can't seem to go a few weeks without placing an order for seeds. There's something for the New Year's Resolution thread, a tighter budget...

 

[Nyboy]

@TheSeedObsesser Escarole is really good with beans, as I write this I am eating Escarole and bean soup. If you have space try some you willn't be sorry.

 

[digitS']

Until 2014, I'd never eaten escarole. Endive, you might find between the bowls of food at the salad bar. Or, it may show up at a corner of your plate in a restaurant.

Now, I'm adventurous with food and always eat the parsley, in similar settings ... I learned to avoid the endive. Permanent pucker from a nibble ..!

That broad-leaf escarole has a new fan, however .

Steve
who won't be able to go beyond a single leaf of radicchio in his salad.

 

[TheSeedObsesser]

Escarole then, which is good because they look much easier to wash then some of the endive varieties that I'm seeing (mostly frissee(sp?) types). I'll have to order a few packets before spring. I have an idea - how about the three of us try different varieties at some point this year and report back on them later on?

We already have a pucker-y green here - Sheep Sorrel. Good if you like occasional sour things but not the thing to eat if you have thin tooth enamel. Ouch!

 

[Nyboy]

The last 2 times at supermarket escarole was sold out. I sent @Carol Dee a pack this fall because Steve pointed her name was in escarole. Not sure what variety will have to ask her.

 

[Carol Dee]

The last 2 times at supermarket escarole was sold out. I sent @Carol Dee a pack this fall because Steve pointed her name was in escarole. Not sure what variety will have to ask her.

Broadleaf Batavian, Thanks Nyboy

 

[Nyboy]

@TheSeedObsesser Escarole goes prefect with beans !! Italians always use canelini beans with it. I am sure with all the beans you grow, you will have your own favorite combo.