Fava beans are my current obsession at the moment. Before the discovery of the New World, they were the only beans consumed by the Europeans. Apparently, we have the Native Americans to thanks for the multitude of legumes we eat today. It amazes me that the only bean to have come from the Old World has not been able to gain the level of popularity enjoyed by our native varieties. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen Fava beans at the supermarket. Sure, they are a bit more laborious to prepare, but they have a rich flavor and butteriness that, in my opinion, elevates them to among the very best of what the garden has to offer this time of year. I'm savoring each pod as if it were my last.
Lastly, it looks like the zucchini that I hand-pollinated earlier this week is almost ready to be picked. I prefer my summer squashes on the smaller side so there's a good chance that this guy be featured on Monday's harvest post. I hope that my zucchini plants are prolific producers this year as I'd like to freeze and dehydrate the excess to have in soups and stews this fall and winter.
The longest day of the year is almost upon us and the summer crops are slowly starting to trickle in. Are you as excited as I am?
I was excited, when we had two warm days in a row, but now it's raining again. That dampened my enthusiasm just a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat is, indeed, a lovely lettuce! I'm just a wee bit jealous of the zucchini, but not as jealous as I was over the first Sungold.
That zucchini is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try fava beans, they look interesting!
The lettuce looks lovely also :)
I have some dwarf fava beans that my grandfather brought over from England when he retired in BC in 1974 and my mother and he have been seed saving ever since....I could share.....
ReplyDeleteThis year we only got three super talls all the rest are dwarf size, which is very convenient....
How do you prepare them? I've never been a huge fan, I grow them now for my mother......
I am so looking forward to my zukes being ready....I love fresh zukes....
I think that when red and green lettuce are grown together they are good enough for some kind of bedding scheme.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know that many people that grow fava beans. They are not as popular here. I think it is because they are more difficult to cook, as you say.
ReplyDeletePretty zucchini and it grows so fast. I also have one growing. At the end, it pollinated naturally. I guess they just need more time than I expect.
The zucchini looks beautiful! Have one growing quickly to harvestable size too - won't be far behind you with the first zucchini harvest of the 2010 season.
ReplyDeleteYou've convinced me to give fava beans a go next spring - we call them broad beans here and I have horrible childhood memories of strong tasting grey lumps, but they were probably old and over-boiled. Maybe I can give my kids some different memories of them!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I have never had a fava bean. Very interesting history on beans.
ReplyDeleteYour lettuce and zucchini look wonderful. I guess you did a good job on the hand pollination. Maybe your nickname should be "Cupid" :)
I'm amazed at your early veggies! They look wonderful. I can't say that I've ever had a fava bean. Maybe I should try them one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThat sucker looks pickable now. I never thought of dehydrating them....do you eat them like that or just reconstitute them later?
ReplyDeleteAre you really hand pollinating zucchini? LOL you will be one very busy person this year if so! It does look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day, Thomas & Marc! I am sure you are busy out celebrating with your little guy today, have fun!
ReplyDeleteMy zucchini have buds but not blossoms yet (and only male ones right now). I'm anticipating, but not nearly as much as my cucumbers.
ReplyDeleteHi Ribbit- if I do dry some, they will be reconstituted before cooking.
ReplyDeleteErin - thanks! I hope you get to skype with your hubby and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh about the idea of hand pollinating zucchini! My problem with zucchini is that they come in faster than I can cook, eat or freeze them!
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