Vietnamese greens

As a gardener (and as a cook), it would be hard not to like the Vietnamese interest in vegetables and greens. Vegetables at every meal, great, and the variety of fresh herbal greens, extraordinary.

I spent some time today ordering seeds to grow some of them (this link is an excellent overview of their diversity). Most, outside of cilantro and Thai basil, aren't greens that we grow frequently in the U.S., although they're available in Southern California in farmers' markets grown by folks of Vietnamese heritage. Thanks to one of my favorite podcasts for the information!

In markets in Vietnam, we saw both diversity of greens and fruits, tropical and imported. (Imported apples and grapes are a special treat).

A traditional (and organic) vegetable village near Hoi An was one of the most attractive vegetable production areas that I've ever seen - neat mounded rows of vegetables grown in fabulous soil with freshwater 'seaweed' for fertilizer.

Comments

  1. What lush gardens! The leafy greens are great, there seems to be such a variety in the photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so hungry for some good Vietnamese cooking. At Lang Van, in Charlotte, the hostess always tells the cook what to prepare for us based on what meat we want. We never order from the menu. I miss that place.

    Really enjoying the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tom,
    Isn't Vietnamese food amazing? I've just ordered a variety of Vietnamese herbs to grow (so I can use them in fresh spring rolls, etc.) Totally delicious.

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I enjoy hearing from fellow nature lovers and gardeners. Let me know your thoughts.