Not so common veg to grow

[Maggiethecat]

Involved in a small group plot and thinking ahead about things to plant in the spring.

We’ll probably do the usual courgettes, kale, beet and will try for squash, cucumbers, (aubergine- easy to grow?)

Is there anything a bit unusual/uncommon that you’ve had success with and enjoyed growing/eating.

You'll probably need a greenhouse for aubergine.

How about celeriac?

Look up heritage varieties

How about hazelnuts. Not veg but they do grow in the UK.

Kohlrabi was always provided in our veg box last year and I think it's easy to grow. I used to chop it and use it in stir fries or have it as a slaw.

You could try slightly unusual varieties of the veg you’ve already decided to grow, for example red Russian kale - it’s delicious!

I’ve found with beetroot the standard boltardy is a reliable cropper but you could add a row or two of chiogga or similar for a bit of fun.

Another slightly unusual variety of a standard allotment veg - Golden Gate French beans. A climber, they produce long flat pods. Really tasty.

Yellow beetroot
sugarsnap peas

redcurrants

I've found Kalettes really easy to grow and they're amazing roasted in olive oil. They are quite prone to white fly though so do need covering.

Rainbow chard

Skirret

Chard it just keeps on producing and will easily feed you all for a year.

I grew about 10 very successful aubergines on my patio this summer (Variety: Black Beauty).

I may have been helped by the hot summer but thought I'd post as reassurance a greenhouse isn't needed.

Cucumbers (you mentioned) are easy and very tasty so really worth it.

Ditto sweetcorn.

And broccoli - though this does need netting.

Cucamelons! Grew loads this year really easily. Elephant garlic, pumpkins, kale too

For kale we always grow Cavelo Nero which is a slightly less usual variety and absolutely delicious with pasta.

Salsify and Jerusalem artichokes are easy (and delicious) root veg but not often found in shops.

Another vote for swiss chard! So versatile I use it raw or cooked, great substitute to lettuce, spinach or kale. Very disease resistant (aphids).

I grew ornamental gourds one year… but I did have a big patch!

Sorrel? Nice with fish.

There’s an Italian seed company that do some interesting veg too.
seedsofitaly.com/vegetable-seed-bulbs/

Just be aware that a lot of beautifully coloured veg return to their normal colour when cooked. I was gutted when my purple French beans turned green.

Mini pumpkins are fun (Jill be little or Casperita)
Cucamelons
Rainbow carrots
Glove artichokes
Asparagus pea
Rainbow chard
Rainbow corn
Mange Tout
Sugarsnap peas

Patty pan squash

How about hazelnuts
You'd need to be on guard 24 hours a day against squirrels.

I've grown cornichons in the past to make my own pickles.

I've enjoyed different varieties of normal veg - purple carrots, red kale and baked potato squash were successful last year.

Posted late last night and woke up to all these suggestions! Thank you

I’ll have to look up skirret and cucamelons - don’t know what they are!

I've been given some multi coloured sweetcorn seeds which I'll try next year.

Sorrel is very easy to grow, and is a cut and come again plant, so will see you right through the summer. It's tasty as part of a mixed green salad for a spike of bitterness, or can be cooked like spinach or a few leaves added to pasta, risotto or stir fry.