Pointed Head Cabbage

It's Thyme, and I had an interesting visit this month at the Raleigh State Farmer's Market in North Carolina. It is always exciting because I always discover something new. This month, I spotted the pointed head cabbage for the first time. This group of cabbage is also referred to as oxheart cabbage. It used to be a popular and common variety of cabbage. Today, there are only a few cabbages from this group still readily available such as "Arrowhead" and "Early Jersey Wakefield". The Early Jersey Wakefield is so named because of its earliness. It has been popular for more than a hundred years. Although not as popular as round cabbages are today, the qualities that make it still worth planting are its tender and succulent leaves. This type of cabbage also has a nice sweet flavor, which makes it excellent for juicy summer coleslaw. It is also a good choice for a quick fall crop. Be careful because this cabbage doesn't store well. Next time you are in North Carolina, check out the farmer's market and pick up some pointed head cabbage. Please also see our latest newsletter which featured the cabbage collard, also found in North Carolina. Continue to follow us as we check out farmer's markets all around and feature some unique fruits and vegetables. For a quick and simple taste: chop pointed head cabbage roughly and mix with red wine vinegar, olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper, this will surely get you hooked! Till next Thyme!

http://www.communityfoodandnutrition.org/May_2011_Newsletter.pdf

Hot Pepper's 2011 Garden

On May 23, I planted my garden in the late afternoon. In the past, I'd tried my hand at container gardening, but even that I hadn't done in a couple of years. This year marks a new venture. I went to Lowe's, bought a raised garden, two-tier bed kit, 5 - 2 cu. ft. bags of garden soil with fertilizer, and several small plants. In fact, I went kind of crazy with the inventory including sweet basil, Thai basil, hot banana pepper, rosemary, cucumber, Thai hot pepper, jalepeno, mint, German John heirloom tomato, strawberries, Mr. Stripey and Black Krim heirloom tomatoes, crook neck squash, Chinese eggplant, Red Bull sweet pepper, Bonnie green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and Bonnie original tomato.

My son helped me put the kit together. I didn't have enought soil and had to go up the street to Home Depot for 3 more 2 cu.ft. bags. I also bought some rabbit repellent because just that morning I'd seen a baby rabbit in the backyard munching away. Originally, I was going to wait until the next day to plant, but after putting the raised bed together I got a second wind and planted everything that evening! Dirty, tied and body aching I ended the day proud of my accomplishment.

The next day, I got up, dressed and inspected my garden. Beads of rain glistened on the plant leaves after an early morning rain. Sounds corny, but it was magical. I took a picture. And every day since, I've repeated my morning ritual, watching over my little garden, watering it, and anxiously waiting to see the fruits of my labor.