Post by ottawagardener on May 15, 2010 8:02:06 GMT -5
Campanula rapunculoides
Also known as 'cancer-of-the-garden,' 'hellcat bellflower' and I believe I've also seen 'the evil twin.' There might have been a couple mentions of cute names like 'harebell' and 'fairy bells.'
Anyhooo - I have a few patches that I decimated in my vain attempt to control their spread. With a wheelbarrow full of carrot taproots and leaves, I decided to eat them.
The taproots were yesterday. My report is that they were okay, crunchy with what looks like an indigestible skin that can be slipped off during the cleaning process if you are so inclined. The flesh was crunchy, slightly fiborous in my opinion and the flavour vaguely nutty and slightly bitter.
Roots, even carrots, are slightly bitter, in my garden so it may be my soil conditions. I have tried 'sweetening' it but without much luck. I think it may be the dryness or some constituent of the clay underbase. Who knows?
The only roots immune are parsnips and oyster root.
Back to the bellflowers. I can see why this one might be a useful green as the leaves are large in comparison to many. I haven't tried mine yet. Any recipe suggestions?
Also known as 'cancer-of-the-garden,' 'hellcat bellflower' and I believe I've also seen 'the evil twin.' There might have been a couple mentions of cute names like 'harebell' and 'fairy bells.'
Anyhooo - I have a few patches that I decimated in my vain attempt to control their spread. With a wheelbarrow full of carrot taproots and leaves, I decided to eat them.
The taproots were yesterday. My report is that they were okay, crunchy with what looks like an indigestible skin that can be slipped off during the cleaning process if you are so inclined. The flesh was crunchy, slightly fiborous in my opinion and the flavour vaguely nutty and slightly bitter.
Roots, even carrots, are slightly bitter, in my garden so it may be my soil conditions. I have tried 'sweetening' it but without much luck. I think it may be the dryness or some constituent of the clay underbase. Who knows?
The only roots immune are parsnips and oyster root.
Back to the bellflowers. I can see why this one might be a useful green as the leaves are large in comparison to many. I haven't tried mine yet. Any recipe suggestions?
Let me know how yours do and what they taste like!