Italian Vegetable Seeds

March 7th 2008

Some might ask, “Why grow Italian vegetable seeds?” Why bother with going international when there are already plenty of seed companies in the U.S.?

One reason is that there are Old World strains that just ‘have that certain taste’ that comes with a specific variety not offered from U.S. growers. You can be assured that some of these Italian vegetable seeds will do very well here. At www.growitalian.com, they maintain that Italy has much the same climate in the south as southern California and their northern growing temperatures match that of some of our own northern states. They do suggest that a head start may be necessary because Italy has a longer growing season.

Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that an area’s soils contribute differences to each vegetable’s taste. Different soils can alter flower colors from the same batch of seeds. Wine made from identical grapes grown in different soils taste different. So it just stands to reason that Italian vegetable seeds don’t necessarily make veggies that taste ‘like the Old Country’!

But you’re welcomed to try! The types of Italian vegetable seeds offered include basil and fennel. Can you imagine what a really good Italian dish would be if you got the ‘original’ fresh spices instead of the dried American counterparts? You might not even like the result it might be so different, but wouldn’t it be a hoot to try?

Other Italian vegetable seeds available include the entire gamut of the vegetable line. At www.italianseedandtool.com, they even have an end of season special, where you can order bulk seed packets at a discount! Again, don’t forget about eBay, which is a buyer’s dream, international and otherwise. Cucuzzi Seeds hosts a vegetable seed auction. You just might nab a bargain.

Whether you are a connoisseur or an eclectic gardener, you might enjoy trying some of these special order Italian vegetable seeds as a way to spice up your gardening for 2005. If you do, let us know how they grow, and more importantly, how they differ in taste from the your local store-bought veggies!

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Tags: garden, , , vegetable, vegetarian

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Vegetarians at the BBQ

March 6th 2008

It would seem that nowadays there are a lot of options for vegetarians. Meatless alternatives seem to abound everywhere, from the neighborhood deli, to the sushi shop, to the hamburger joint. The hamburger joint? Yes, you heard correctly. With the introduction of several brands of meatless “burgers,” vegetarians can brave the very den of carnivorous pleasure. Once viewed as an eccentric oddity, vegetarians have moved from the fringe to the mainstream. However, the truth is, all too often the meatless menu option isn’t vegetarian at allit’s just a menu item, minus the meat. Unfortunately, a white hoagie bun topped with iceberg lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, and mustard is about as unappealing to the vegetarian as it is to the carnivore counterpart.

So what about the vegetarian at the barbecue?

With its increased popularity, it’s highly likely you have friends or family members who’ve adopted this lifestyle. Don’t let this cause you angst the next time you invite them over for barbecue. With the tips below, you can be assured they’ll be licking their fingers and singing your praise as enthusiastically as your steak-loving comrades.

The first rule of thumb when barbecuing for vegetarians is that veggies are not just a sideshow anymore. Don’t doom your vegetarian guests to pick and choose among the sides to make their meals. Potato salad, relish plates, and devilled eggs? Consider. You offer steak, chicken, and fish to your meat-loving friends, but the vegetarian in attendance is offered only corn on the cob? Lame! If you want to really impress your vegetarian guests, you want to offer at least one meat-free main dish. While there are a few meat substitutions out there I advise you to think outside the box. A quick search on the internet will reveal literally hundreds of recipes for preparing veggies on the grill. A short-list of the easiest to prepare, and most popular vegetables would include potatoes, corn, tomatoes, and zucchini. If you’re willing to put in a little more effort, you can prepare a bowl of pasta to serve with the grilled veggies. Don’t blame me if your meat-loving friends fill up on this entr

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