Monday, November 26, 2007

No.3 : Potato

Be it spuds or praties, a potato by any other name would taste just as sweet!

Potato Fun Facts:
1) Potatoes are 80% water and 20% solid.

2) The potato, from the American Indian word "Batata", was introduced to Europeans by Spanish conquerors during the late 16th Century.

3) When potatoes are stored in the refrigerator, the taste & texture are affected, its sugar content decreases.

4) In 1952, Mr. Potato Head was born, and was also the first toy to be advertised on television.

5) After potato plants flower, some varieties will produce small green fruits that resemble green cherry tomatoes.

Reference: Tater Act, Wikipedia

Sunday, November 25, 2007

No.2: Broccoli

Sunday brings a new fresh greenie,
the broccoli!

Broccoli Fun Facts:
1) The word broccoli comes from Latin bracchium, meaning arm.

2) Broccoli leaf is also edible and contains far more betacarotene than the florets.

3) Don't discard the broccoli stalk! Peel the outside skin from the stalk and cook as you would the rest of the broccoli. Cut stalks into thin slices and stir-fry !

4)The best way to cook broccoli is to steam, cook in the microwave or stir-fry with a little broth or water.

5)Roman farmers called broccoli "the five green fingers of Jupiter."

Reference: Dole 5a day, Food Facts: Broccoli, Wikipedia, Produce Oasis, Vegetarian Baby

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

No.1: Carrot

First up, The Veggie Patch serves
up the carrot!


Carrot Fun Facts:

1) Carrots were first cultivated in Afghanistan
in the 7th century, and they had yellow flesh
and purple skin.


2) There is as much calcium in 9 carrots as
there is in a glass (250ml) of whole milk.

3) A teaspoon holds almost 2000
carrot seeds.


4) Baby carrots aren't exactly young
carrots, they're actually carrots that
have been peeled and cut into
uniform cylinders.


5) If cows eat too many carrots, their
milk tastes bitter.

Monday, November 19, 2007

We're Sprouting!
























Give us a little time, we be springing like spongy mushrooms after the rain!