Winter Veggies!

Coming from the Northeast US, the idea that anything can survive (and on top of that, grow!) during winter is totally amazing to me. Before moving to Australia I never knew that winter gardening existed, or that some of my favourite veggies were specifically winter ones. Arriving in Melbourne and starting my own veggie patch was a real eye-opener for me, and nearly 4 years later I am getting pretty good at the whole winter-gardening thing!

One of my favourite veggies to grow is Silverbeet/Swiss Chard (click for nutritional info), for a few reasons. A) It's so easy. Like, "put it in the ground and forget you planted it" easy. My favourite kind of gardening. Now onto reason B) It's gorgeous. I like to buy Rainbow Silverbeet seeds because they end up looking like ornamental plants but are really edible! Which brings me to C) Silverbeet is delicious! I can't seem to find "Collard Greens" in Australia so for whatever recipe I used to use Collards in, I now use Silverbeet. Chiffonade-cut and sauteed with garlic? Yep. Chopped and sauteed with sultanas and orange juice a la Bryant Terry? Oh yes!! The list goes on and on but it's great for baking, steaming, sauteeing, etc. and very healthy for you too!

Above is our veggie patch in June, with Rainbow Silverbeet, Cauliflower, and Broccoli seedlings. On the right you will see the first of many Silverbeet harvests that will occur this winter. These were picked in mid-August. How gorgeous are they??

See below for my favourite way to use these greens, by one of my favourite chefs! If you don't know about Bryant Terry and his book Vegan Soul Kitchen, you need to get educated!!