If only I could grow rhubarb. I tried growing it for years, and eventually I gave up: too hot, too dry here in Tuscany in the summer. But rhubarb is one of my absolute favourite ingredients!
Is it something you can still buy at markets in other parts of the country? If it helps - I can't grow it at my cottage either as the ground is full of clay and much to wet - I've given up as it really does not like it in my beds, and a pot big enough would be too heavy to move around - no good as I move them around with the sun for different crops at different parts of the year!
A shame, though with the produce you get I don't feel too bad for you! So far only 4 borlotti bean plants have survived (combination of slugs and an unseasonal heatwave!) so I predict buying in a fair bit of Italian produce this summer! And at least outdoor rhubarb freezes really well.
For me, the fruit year for pies and tarts begins with rhubarb. I grow my own...so easy...from a plant that has personal history, too, Rachel. Making a rhubarb shrub (fruit, sugar, vinegar) and mixing with sparkling water is another favorite way I enjoy it. I would love to see photos of your folks’ garden.
Oh a shrub is an excellent idea - I often make them with pineapple and white balsamic. What vinegar pairing would you recommend, white wine vinegar?
During lockdown I did regular Instagram story tours of the vegetable garden and they were super popular - what an excellent idea to do one for my Substack - if everything still looks happy (we're in the middle of an unseasonable heatwave...) when I'm over next week I'll shoot one!
If only I could grow rhubarb. I tried growing it for years, and eventually I gave up: too hot, too dry here in Tuscany in the summer. But rhubarb is one of my absolute favourite ingredients!
Is it something you can still buy at markets in other parts of the country? If it helps - I can't grow it at my cottage either as the ground is full of clay and much to wet - I've given up as it really does not like it in my beds, and a pot big enough would be too heavy to move around - no good as I move them around with the sun for different crops at different parts of the year!
Unfortunately not. There’s a farm in the north of Italy that ships it. When I crave it, I buy it from them!
A shame, though with the produce you get I don't feel too bad for you! So far only 4 borlotti bean plants have survived (combination of slugs and an unseasonal heatwave!) so I predict buying in a fair bit of Italian produce this summer! And at least outdoor rhubarb freezes really well.
For me, the fruit year for pies and tarts begins with rhubarb. I grow my own...so easy...from a plant that has personal history, too, Rachel. Making a rhubarb shrub (fruit, sugar, vinegar) and mixing with sparkling water is another favorite way I enjoy it. I would love to see photos of your folks’ garden.
Oh a shrub is an excellent idea - I often make them with pineapple and white balsamic. What vinegar pairing would you recommend, white wine vinegar?
During lockdown I did regular Instagram story tours of the vegetable garden and they were super popular - what an excellent idea to do one for my Substack - if everything still looks happy (we're in the middle of an unseasonable heatwave...) when I'm over next week I'll shoot one!
Your food always looks so good!
Thank you!