Golden onions of Parma

History The Parma golden onions have a sweet, mild flavor, and are grown in the Parma region of Italy. It was in 1896 that golden onions were first introduced to Parma from Pavia. Onions grew well in the region due to its mild climate and fertile soil. The onions were cultivated using specific techniques by […]

How to Grow and Harvest Blueberries: A Complete Guide

History It was Native Americans who gathered blueberries from forests and bogs for centuries, consumed them fresh, and preserved them. It was the blueberries that were revered by Native American tribes in the northeast that led to folklore developing around them.  During the 1700s, European settlers began cultivating blueberries commercially, and by the early 1900s, […]

Artichokes Paestum

History Artichoke cultivation dates back to Bourbon times, with the statistical office recording its presence in Capaccio and Evoli in 1811. Despite the extensive land reclamation and agricultural transformation brought about by the agrarian reform of 1929-30, it was not until 1929-30 that the artichoke cultivation spread, thanks to the efforts of several Neapolitan farmers […]

Broad Beans Explained: Nutrition, Growing Guide, and Harvesting Tips

History Originating in the Mediterranean, probably in North Africa and Southwest Asia, the broad beans now grow all over the world. During the 17th century, broad beans reached Britain. It was well- known to ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Broad beans were considered low-class food by ancient Egyptians. Around 6,500 B.C. broad beans were commonly […]

Everything You Need to Know About Radishes

History Historically, radishes have been around since ancient times. The first radishes were believed to have been grown more than 4,000 years ago in China. Later, they spread to Japan, Korea, and India as well. Radishes were also grown by the ancient Egyptians, as they were depicted in hieroglyphics and were even found in the […]

Black Salsify Explained: A Nutrient-Rich Root Vegetable with a Rich Past

History Ancient Greek and Romans cultivated black salsify for its medicinal properties, and it has been cultivated for centuries. In the Middle Ages, black salsify was grown in monastery gardens throughout Europe and used in monastic cuisine. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Dutch and German gardeners introduced it to northern Europe, making it more […]

Flat white turnips

History Turnips were believed to have originated in Asia and were then introduced to ancient Greece and Rome. The Roman colonists cultivated flat white turnips throughout Europe around the 1st century, according to historical records.  Flat white turnips were first cultivated by settlers in North America in the 1600s and were widely consumed during the […]

Why Celeriac Deserves a Place in Your Garden and Diet

History Celery root, commonly known as celeriac, is a root vegetable from the same family as celery. It is thought to have its roots in the Mediterranean basin. Europeans began cultivating celeriac as a winning vegetable during the Middle Ages when it became popular as a food. In the 17th century, celeriac was used to […]

Black oval eggplant

History Black eggplant, a large, dark purple, meaty, and tasty eggplant that is almost a century old, is the standard eggplant variety. A standard variety that has been grown in gardens all over the world since 1902 was introduced by Burpee. The large size, delicate flavor, and surprisingly early maturation for such a large eggplant […]

Butternut pumpkin

History The butternut pumpkin is thought to have originated in Central and South America, where indigenous people have been growing it for thousands of years.  The butternut pumpkin was introduced to Europe by European explorers in the 16th century and soon became popular as a food crop. Yet it wasn’t until the 1940s that Charles Leggett, […]