A new vegetable for us this weekend as we are sampling our first harvest of Yakon from the garden…
Known variously as Ground Pear, Pear of the Earth, Bolivian Sunroot or Peruvian Ground Apple, the Yakon is a golden daisy like flowering plant originating in The Andes but which has taken to growing happily at Worton!
The slightly inconspicuous grey green plants grew happily down the side of the Cutting Garden throughout the summer before producing small but beautiful yellow flowers in September. The plants are then treated much like Dahlias being dug up before the frosts and stored frost free through the winter. In this case, the crown and Rhizomes are then replanted in the Spring whilst the bulbous tubers are taken as the crop.
The tubers on our plants have the size and appearance of Sweet Potatoes but are so delicious raw that we do not anticipate having any left to cook! Peeled, sliced and added to our signature Endive, Walnut and Stichelton Salad, the Yakon adds a crisp freshness with a hint of crisp Nashi Pear flavour – delicious, fresh and, in the year of a poor Pear harvest, an ideal replacement!
As the first Arctic weather of the year has blown in, what better time to remember the beauty and light of summer with our artist in residence, Stacey Gledhill and Cornucopia her exhibition of works painted at Worton. Cornucopia runs from this Wednesday til 1st December. Why not join us this Thursday evening from 6-8pm for the Opening Reception where you will be able to meet Stacey and have a chat over a Glass or two of bubbly … Details of the exhibition and the works themselves are available on Stacey’s website
Alternatively, there are still a few spare “easels” for the Sip and Paint evening with Stacey on Friday 22nd Nov – Click here.
A week later on Friday 29th we will be holding our last Super Club of 2024 with the Mad Professor’s next outing at our Gastrophysics Supper Club. If you would like to attend this stimulating evening of Gastrophysics – this time with a Thanksgiving twist – there are still tickets available by clicking here.
