Alexanders

[Digeroo]

Been watching the BBC Tudor Monastry Farm again and they mention Alexanders has anyone tried it.  Seems it is like celery but not quite so fussy.

I do like trying something new, or  in this case very old.

[Digeroo]

[goodlife]

I've got some growing in my plot..though I haven't tried any yet. First year it didn't do much..last year it did grew quite a lot but I didn't touch it as I wanted it to establish better.
But...this year...I hope I can try some. I spoke with some Finish lady some time ago..and she uses it as 'soup veg' and dried some leave to make 'tea'...she said being mad about this plant.

[Digeroo]

Is it a perennial?   I had expected it might die once it flowered.

[ancellsfarmer]

You might like to explore this site, especially those who have a plot with " plants in wrong places" !
See http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/steamed-alexanders-recipe

[Digeroo]

Really odd, I am really into wild flowers, yet I have never before heard of it and certainly have never seen it.

[goodlife]

Nope..not a long term perennial..

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Each seedling uses most of its energy to produce a plump root. When the root is large enough, after a year or two, the plant sends up its stout flowerstem. After making hundreds or thousands of seeds, it dies. Meanwhile, hard frost in the winter also discolors and kills any leaves. And a dry summer can make the plant wither and go dormant until rains resume in fall[/i]

http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-May06.html

[goodlife]

Being now reminded of my alexanders plant..I nipped to lottie to see how it is doing. And I'm glad to say the new growth it has made looks very strong indeed....SO...it was finally tasting time..
I was bit hesitant as I've read it being 'celery like'..YUK!, one veg that I cannot stand...but, actually it didn't taste that bad at all..
I made some food where I used some of the leaf, the softest part, as 'flavouring herb' rather than major veg contribution for the dish.
I didn't use much as it smelled quite strong for me. And yes, I could definitely taste the different flavour in the food, kind of celery like but not as yucky..the 'soapy' taste as I think of celery was missing and I think Alexanders flavour could grown on me...
It is 'keeper' for my plant selection...

[Digeroo]

The implication on the BBC Tudor Farm was that it was important for filling the 'hungry gap', so it can fill the gap in April and May when there is not much else around.

I just like to try all sorts of things.

Have you tried growing your own celery, I find it tastes a lot less soapy than the supermarket ones, and even they variety quite a bit.

[goodlife]

No...I have to admit I haven't tried growing my own..well, actually  I have grown some but for somebody else..I would not touch the stuff.
I've tried celery so many times, though always shop ones and when tasted food where there has been some..I've had to pick the bits out to able to eat the rest of the stuff. Thing is eating celery does appeal to me..the look and texture of the veg..but it just doesn't agree with my taste buds...it is same thing with earthiness with beetroot..though I can cope with that one when it is pickled.
I like to try all sorts too...and have 'trained' my mouth accept many 'funny' flavours..but those two..earthy taste and 'soapy' celery are the ones that I don't seem to be able to...well sage and ground elder are some that I will spit out too....can't think anything else now..

I can imagine Alexander been used as proper veg plant, I think I could accept it too if there would be very little anything else around..tudor times there weren't 'quick fix frozen veg from supermarket' around. But as for now..just as 'herb' for me.

[Digeroo]

Taste is an odd things I am very fussy about what I eat but do actually love celery.  I put it in loads of things, but I do not like onions.

They showed them eating the flowers heads of the Alexanders a bit like you eat broccoli and I have found a site where they steam the stems.

I very much enjoy growing veg but there must have been a lot of pressure in the past to succeed because otherwise you had no food.  A year like last year when everything was 4-6 weeks behind must have been a real struggle.  Roll on nettle soup.

[goodlife]

The good thing is.....I LIKE nettles
..not that they have that strong taste anyway. But I have some in every spring...kind of 'tonic' for the body after the winter blues..like a internal spring