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What was that root veg from yesterdays Gardeners World?
Rgardener1
Posts: 344
in Fruit & veg
Hi all I watched the show yesterday and they showed a root veg which was grown in medieval times and the roots taste like a mix between carrot and parsnip? I would love to know what it was called for some research 
0
Posts
Ryan if you get some I hope it is better than Cardoon which was the Elizabethan version of Artichoke ( I think) I grew it for the statuesque plant and the seed heads, they said it was edible if boiled, I tried and it wouldn't have been edible if I'd boiled it for six months
I bought some Skirret roots a couple month ago, can't wait to see how they turn out!
Bought if from this lady, though doesn't look like she has any of the roots for sale on her website at the moment:
http://backyardlarder.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/sizing-up-skirret.html
Salsify are worth a go too.
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The reason that these so called heritage veggies etc went out of general cultivation was that either they were tasteless, disease ridden,poor croppers or were generally useless and not worth growing!
But you always get a lot of Corporal Jones, out of step to every one else, or Little Jack Horners who say look how clever I am, GW would be better to show how to grow veggies that people, especially kids will actually eat and enjoy!
I agree with Jimmy on the reason these veggies went out of cultivation; I got salsify once in the veggie box I get delivered and I found it far too much hassle preparing and eatingn and nothing to write home about.