Are They Just for Goats?
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Are you throwing away edible parts of the plants that you grow? Leaves and stems. I had lots of questions about this subject.....
- Can you eat leaves?
- Would you want to?
- How do they taste?
- Do you eat them raw or cooked?
1. Yes, you can eat the leaves of your vegetable plants, as a general rule. For specific plants, I would look them up, just to be sure.
2. Yes, the leaves of your vegetable plants are good for you, and it prepared correctly, they can be delicious too.
3. Some have very distinct flavors that are great additions to salads or stirfries. Preparation can be key when cooking the leaves and stems of plant.
4. They can be eaten both raw or cooked, depending on the dish. Here are some examples:
2. Yes, the leaves of your vegetable plants are good for you, and it prepared correctly, they can be delicious too.
3. Some have very distinct flavors that are great additions to salads or stirfries. Preparation can be key when cooking the leaves and stems of plant.
4. They can be eaten both raw or cooked, depending on the dish. Here are some examples:
- Radish leaves - good raw in salads, but use sparingly as they have a very spicy flavor. They are also good chopped and cooked with vegetables or in casseroles.
- Pea leaves and curly shoots - leaves are delicious chilled and mixed in a green salad or in tuna or chicken salad. Curly shoots and leaves can be clipped off and will regrow throughout the life of the plant. Early in the season they are especially tender and sweet.
- Celery leaves - These mild flavored leaves are terrific in salad, or chilled on a sandwich. They can also be shredded and served on top of salmon. I have also chopped and put them in pasta salad, they really make it look attractive.
- Brussel Sprout, Broccoli and Cauliflower Leaves - These leaves are better if picked and eaten early in the season, as the older they get the more stronger tasting and tough they are. They can be shredded and put in a green salad, or they can wilted or seared in a pan with olive oil and seasoned salt and pepper. They are also quite delicious stredded and sauted in butter with onions and garlic.
- Garlic and Bulb Onion Tops - Both are great minced and added to just about anything. They can also be chopped and frozen for later use.
- Carrot tops - these tops are edible, but they have a taste that most people don't care for, including me. Give them a try, who knows you may like them. If you do, they make a fine addition to salads. If you don't, they make really pretty garnishes.
- Broccoli and cauliflower stems - both of these are excellent for adding crunch to a green or pasta salad. They are also great in a stir fry, or sauteed in garlic butter. Both of them also make an awesome slaw, when shredded and tossed with other veggies and dressing. See below for my recipe.
 Image by Author | Ingredients
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Directions:
Mix lemon juice, vinegar, mayo, blue cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Taste and if needed, add sugar to taste
In a separate bowl, toss the broccoli shreds, onions, pepper, and bacon
Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss until mixed thoroughly
Chill for about two hours and serve
Mix lemon juice, vinegar, mayo, blue cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Taste and if needed, add sugar to taste
In a separate bowl, toss the broccoli shreds, onions, pepper, and bacon
Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss until mixed thoroughly
Chill for about two hours and serve
As always, if you have never eaten something before, it is better to introduce it to your body slowly, in small amounts, building up to more over time. Your digestive system will thank you.
Have a great day!
Jade :)
Have a great day!
Jade :)
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