The latest superfood impresses Alastair Gilmour, as does a cold cure
There’s never a quiet time in an allotment. Times less busy than others, but never quiet.
It’s planning time and already a local garden centre has phoned saying their seed potatoes have arrived. Having just taken over an extended plot, I’m still mulling over what to plant where and when – but I refuse to panic. King Edward can wait.
The allotment looks a bit dull and lifeless – except for a vibrant green patch that looks like it shouldn’t be there at this time of year. It’s healthy and it’s flourishing and until recently I didn’t have a clue what to do with it. Kale.
There’s me thinking the plantlets passed over the fence last year by a kindly neighbour were simply a space-filler and a substitute for cabbage on the dinner plate, but I knew instinctively what the reaction would be at home. “Yeuch, not eating that stuff.”
Cabbage has its detractors, sprouts are a challenge, but I could see kale was going to be a distinct no-no – until I discovered how many magazine and newspaper articles have been devoted to this superfood. Kale even has its own fan club – www.discoverkale.co.uk – and someone has even suggested making ice lollies out of it to get children to benefit from its health properties without realising they’re licking and sucking on “yeuch”. Kale is truly super.
Portion for portion, it’s hard to beat when it comes to the amount of nutrients it contains, and it’s a great choice for a healthy balanced diet. Kale is an excellent source of vitamins K, A and C, as well as containing useful amounts of manganese, copper and phytochemicals, which are believed to help guard against certain types of cancer.
And our curly kale variety has a lively pungency with delicious peppery and earthy qualities. Still “yeuch” to some folks, though.
Another use for our horseradish has come our way, perfect for this time of year.
It’s a simple Russian recipe for getting rid of colds and snuffles. The powerful horseradish effect attacks your nose and makes your eyes water, clearing sinuses like a council drain rod.
So, take one large, fresh horseradish root, a litre of vodka and five teaspoons of honey. Peel the horseradish and slice it into long, thin slivers. Pop them into a thoroughly cleaned bottle. Pour a little vodka into a glass, stir in the honey until it dissolves, then pour over the horseradish slivers. Add the rest of the vodka, fill right up to the neck, covering the horseradish. Leave in a dark place for three or four days to infuse before pouring the liquid through a sieve.
Discard the horseradish and return the vodka to a clean bottle.
Breathe clearly. Do not say “yeuch”.
