A Garden Expansion
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in February. I so enjoyed getting my hands and feet dirty. I sunk them deep in the freshly tilled soil in the unplanted section of my garden.
Our garden is going to look a little different this year. Since my family is going on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet(SCD), we are not going to plant potatoes, corn, or okra. These vegetables are not allowed; therefore, there is no reason to raise them.
I made a row and included cauliflower plants, which I have not grown before. I have heard that you can mash them like potatoes, which really appealled to my husband who is trying to wrap his head around not eating a potato for a year.
I still have onions and garlic growing. I planted more lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. I also planted red cabbage. Today I plan on planting more Swiss chard. I prefer the red stalked variety because the stalks tend to stay smaller and more tender.
Has anyone raised spaghetti squash successfully in my area? I hope to as we will not be able to eat pasta. Adrienne, I know that your family is a big fan of kohlrabi. Would you mind sharing your favorite way to prepare it with us?
Regardless if you garden or are familiar with the SCD protocol, I am asking you to help me expand my garden to include delicious vegetables that are more uncommon. Spaghetti squash and kohlrabi would be examples of the expansion. Vegetables that can broaden our food options while on SCD. Vegetables like cauliflower that can be used in place of illegal ones like potatoes.
The list of allowable vegetables is lengthy, and, fortunately, the list of illegal vegetables is short. I have already mentioned the three most common ones. In addition, yams, parsnips, chick peas, garbanzo, and fava beans are not allowed. Neither are soybeans or bean sprouts.
So pretty much everything else is allowed. What would you try? What would you plant to expand your horizons? We are in the middle of a garden expansion. Help us fill it with your favorite uncommon vegetables.
I would grow Leeks, they are so good and you can do so much more with them then just soups.
Kristy,
Great idea. In fact, I failed to mention that I have leeks in my garden. Thank you, Lara
http://ayersfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/2010/06/freezer-cooking-week.html
We grew a lot of spaghetti squash last year in Waco. It takes them a long time and I had to put a piece of tile under each squash so the underside did not rot.
Hey Lara
I am not sure what part of Texas you live but I live 35 Mile due west of Fort Worth and have growing spaghetti squash successfully for the last two years, along with butternut, acron and buttercup.
Great, Robert. Thank you for the information. We are certainly going to try spaghetti squash. I know that I can grow butternut with no problem. Thanks again,
Lara
Thank you, Tara.
I will remember your tip with the tile.
Lara