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Purple sprouting broccoli
Posted by: Jane Moore, 20 March 2008, 05.01PM
I love the first harvest of the new season - it's so welcome after the long dark winter. For a while now, I've been harvesting winter veg, such as leeks, kale and cabbage. These stalwarts of the plot have meant we've had fresh veg for soups and winter roasts when there's been nothing else available.
But now the mornings are getting lighter and brighter, the raspberries are starting to leaf up on the plot. I must confess I'm getting a tad bored of my usual selection of vegetables.
So you might be surprised to hear that this week I couldn't wait to get up to the plot and start picking. Even Paul braved the icy winds to give me a hand with the harvest. And why were we so excited? Because the purple sprouting broccoli was ready.
Luscious green, purple-topped stems have appeared over the last fortnight - I've watched them developing, biding my time, waiting for the moment to pounce. This week I judged that the sunshine and rain would have matured the spears just enough to warrant picking them.
My judgement was right and within a couple of hours the first shoots of the season were harvested, gently steamed and served with a knob of butter.
The first harvest of purple sprouting broccoli, along with spring birds and emerging blooms have fired Paul and I up about the plot. We're now planning to plant some spuds and build a compost bin this weekend.
Comments
kelly lamb
24 March 2007, 06.21PM
brett.landers
26 March 2008, 06.47AM
Stacey
09 April 2008, 12.47PM
Christine
10 April 2008, 01.41PM
gill
21 April 2008, 03.26PM
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