Allotments 4 All

OK first the good, grew 15 plants successfully, they loved the rain and have hearted up beautifully, harvested 2 yesterday and was quite pleased:


now the bad, oh my goodness it is so bitter and gross how the heck am i going to eat this :-X. even tried cooking it with no real change in bitterness. I'm hoping that a few frosty nights might help reduce the bitterness. i also read today that some people discard the first head and allow the second head to grow in a forced environment to encourage a sweeter product.

so has anyone else tried growing this and what did you do to get a usable crop. i don't want to through the lot as yet :-\.

an italian guy once told me to add aliitle sugar or honey to the dressing, did you take out the core??
I have also stir fried them in a little butter and a small ammount of sugar

we like the bitterness. We use it as a salad leaf - try soaking the individual leaves in cold water for 20 minutes (we don't do this mind)

Quote from: lolabelle on September 22, 2008, 16:32:18
an italian guy once told me to add aliitle sugar or honey to the dressing, did you take out the core??
I have also stir fried them in a little butter and a small ammount of sugar

the core was all baby leaves so no i didn't remove it should i have. and i will try eating with a little sugar/ honey, but it was so bitter i don't think this will help :((5 adults tried it raw and cooked and only my husband didn't seem to think it too bitter).

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on September 22, 2008, 16:36:52
we like the bitterness. We use it as a salad leaf - try soaking the individual leaves in cold water for 20 minutes (we don't do this mind)

i will try the soaking for 20 minutes in cold water and see if this also helps.

did either of you ever try to grow it blanched?

we'll be trying forcing Witloof this season (whenever you're supposed to do it)

If it's dry you can up end a flower pot over it and cover the drainage holes with crocks... it can go mouldy under the florist buckets... leave for a week to ten days....  :)

Quote from: saddad on September 22, 2008, 17:53:34
If it's dry you can up end a flower pot over it and cover the drainage holes with crocks... it can go mouldy under the florist buckets... leave for a week to ten days....  :)

do i cover the existing heads or do i cut off the current heads and let new heads grow under the pots ???

Cover the existing heads, and when you have cut them either let a new one grow and cover again or leave the pot on to force a new one...  :)

Try this dressing with it, it really takes the bitterness off:

1/2 tsp of mustard
1 tsp of honey
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp of dried ginger
4tbsps of cider or wine vinegar (or ordinary vinigar mixed with wine)
shake of salt and pepper
1 tsp chopped basil, (or any herb available)
4 tbsps olive oil

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake well.  Pour over any bitter salad leaves.

Hope that helps,
Ali

Quote from: alipally on September 22, 2008, 19:23:41
Try this dressing with it, it really takes the bitterness off:

1/2 tsp of mustard
1 tsp of honey
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp of dried ginger
4tbsps of cider or wine vinegar (or ordinary vinigar mixed with wine)
shake of salt and pepper
1 tsp chopped basil, (or any herb available)
4 tbsps olive oil

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake well.  Pour over any bitter salad leaves.

Hope that helps,
Ali

i hope it helps too :-\

Quote from: saddad on September 22, 2008, 19:05:12
Cover the existing heads, and when you have cut them either let a new one grow and cover again or leave the pot on to force a new one...  :)

thanks saddad i'll give it a try.