Kalpalatha Melmaiee, kmelmaiee@desu.edu, Amaranatha R. Vennapusa, avennapusa@desu.edu, Rose A. Ogutu, rogutu@desu.edu.
The DSU Cooperative Small Farms Extension Staff and Plant Molecular Breeding Lab held a tour that showcased production of alternative vegetables at the DSU Outreach and Research Center. Local garden enthusiasts, Master Gardener Volunteers, and local Small Farmers attended the event. A variety of vegetables that can be grown for late spring to early fall were produced. These can be for a family to have in a backyard garden or for a small farmer to provide produce for sale. Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee and Dr. Amaranatha R. Vennapusa educated the growers and students about unexplored vegetables’ nutritional and health benefits and delicious recipes on how gardeners can adapt them. They discussed the agronomic practices on soil preparation, planting, nurturing until the harvest, and seed preparation for the next crop and highlighted the versatile agronomic adaptability of these alternative vegetables to diverse environments. These vegetables require low efforts and low investment that saves money and time of the growers. Dr. Rose Ogutu enlightened the growers about high tunnel production and the Incubator farm projects on climate-smart agriculture and shared the potential funding options from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
Bottle Gourd
Botanical name: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.
Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits or Gourd family)
Origin: Tropical Africa
Planting time: Early June
Duration: 40-60 days
Nutritional Benefits: Rich in fiber and source for Vitamin B & C, Folate, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc.
Health Benefits: Low in calories, potential in reducing blood glucose levels, supports liver health and reduces skin-aging properties.
Recipes: Curries, soups, stir-fries and smoothies, sweet desserts.
Other Names: Calabash, Opo squash, Lauki, and Long Squash
Ridge Gourd
Botanical name: Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits or Gourd family)
Origin: India
Planting time: Late May to early June
Duration: 60-75 days
Nutritional Benefits: Source of Iron, Magnesium as well as Vitamins A, C, and B6.
Health Benefits: Supports liver functions, promotes weight loss and skin health, and boosts the immune system.
Recipes: Curries, salads, chutney, stir-fries, stews with meat and fish.
Other names: Luffa, Chinese okra, and Sponge gourd.
Bitter Gourd
Botanical name: Momordica charantia L.
Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits or Gourd family)
Origin: Africa
Planting time: Late May to early June
Duration: 55-60 days
Nutritional Benefits: Source of fiber, folate, and Vitamins A & C.
Health Benefits: Promotes digestion and skin health and reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Recipes: Curries, soup, stir-fries, teas, pickles, chips.
Other names: Karela and Balsam pear
Snake Gourd
Botanical name: Trichosanthes cucumerina L.
Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits or Gourd family)
Origin: Southeast Asia
Planting time: Late May to early June
Duration: 40-60 days
Nutritional Benefits: Source of fiber, Vitamin A, B6, C & E, minerals, and plant substances, including phenolics and cucurbitacins.
Health Benefits: Promotes hair growth, digestion, immune system, and reduces respiratory issues and diabetes.
Recipes: Curries, chutneys, soup, stir-fries,
Other names: Serpent gourd, Snake tomato, Chichinda, and Padwal
Roselle
Botanical name: Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Family: Malvaceae (Hibiscus family)
Origin: Africa, most likely West Africa
Planting time: May-June
Duration: 4-5 months.
Nutritional Benefits: Source of Vitamin A & C, and Magnesium.
Health Benefits: Lowering blood pressure and improves digestion.
Recipes: Caribbean drinks, (the calyces from fruit), wine, juice, soups, and sauces, flor de Jamaica tea, Chutney and Pickles, Gongura Chicken, and mutton (goat curry).
Other names: Gongura, Lemon Bush, and Florida cranberry.
Okra
Botanical name: Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench
Family: Malvaceae (Hibiscus family)
Origin: West Africa, Southeast Asia
Planting time: May
Duration: 60-70 days
Nutritional benefits: Source of Vitamins A, C & K, as well as antioxidants, folate, and magnesium.
Health benefits: Promotes heart health, maintains blood sugar levels, and demonstrates anti-cancer properties.
Recipes: Soups, salads, as well as grilled or roasted dishes.
Other names: Ladies Finger, Bhindi, and Gumbo
Cowpea
Botanical name: Vigna unguiculate (L.) Walp.
Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
Origin: Sub – Saharan Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Asia
Planting time: Early May to Early August
Duration: 45 to 90 days after sowing
Nutritional benefits: Contains vitamins, proteins, and minerals.
Health benefits: Low glycaemic index, regular consumption reduces total cholesterol levels and improves blood circulation and heart health.
Recipes: Salad, stew, soup
Other names: Black-eye pea and Crowder pea
Peanuts
Botanical name: Arachis hypogaea L.
Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Origin: South America
Planting time: Between April and late June
Duration: 130 to 160 days
Nutritional benefits: good source of fats, protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins.
Health benefits: May aid weight loss, protect heart loss, aid blood sugar control, and reduce cancer risk.
Recipes: Salads, sauces, pastries/pastries/dessert toppings, roasting and boiling with salt.
Other names: Groundnut and Earthnut.
Asian Hyacinth or Lablab Bean
Botanical name: Lablab purpureus Alba
Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa, India
Planting time: April to June
Duration: 90 days
Nutritional benefits: source of protein, phosphorous, Potassium, Zinc, and Copper.
Health benefits: Anti-inflammatory, promotes heart and digestive health, and provides support for brain functions.
Recipes: Stir-fries, soups, and curries.
Other names: Indian bean.
Purple Long Bean
Botanical Name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis
Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Origin: Southeast Asia
Planting time: May to June
Duration: 75 days
Nutritional benefits: Sources of Vitamin A & C, protein, fiber, folate, magnesium, thiamin, potassium, and iron.
Health Benefits: Strengthens immune system, regulates digestion, supports organ functions.
Recipes: Soups, grilling, stir-fries. Whole pod can be used as a vegetable.
Other names: Asparagus bean, Yardlong bean, and long-podded cowpea.
Eggplant
Botanical name: Solanum melongena L.
Family: Solanaceae
Origin: India, Africa
Planting time:
Duration: 65-80 days
Nutritional benefits: Low in calories, high in fiber and a source of Vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
Health benefits: Promotes heart and eye health and reduces cholesterol levels.
Recipes: Stew, Ratatouille, Eggplant parmesan, and Pizza.
Other names: Garden egg, Guinea squash, and Brinjal.
Chilis
Botanical name: Capsicum annuum L.
Family: Solanaceae
Origin: Central/South America
Planting time: June-July
Duration: 60-150 days
Nutritional Benefits: Sources of Vitamin A, C & B6.
Health Benefits: Strengthens the immune system, fights inflammation, and promotes heart and digestive health.
Recipes: Salsa, soups, hot sauce, taco topping, marinade, pickles, curries.
Other names: Hot peppers.
Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum L.
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family).
Origin: India, tropical Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Planting time: Late May to early June.
Duration: 30-74 days
Nutritional Benefits: Source for Vitamin A & K, Calcium, and Antioxidants (Beta carotene, Lutein, and zeaxanthin).
Health Benefits: Reduces oxidative stress, supports liver health, anti-cancer and anti-skin aging properties, supports cardiovascular health, and reduces blood sugar, inflammation, and infections.
Recipes: Pesto sauce, soups, marinade, salads, refreshing drinks, and pizza toppings.
Other names: Sweet basil.
Turmeric
Botanical name: Curcuma longa L.
Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
Origin: India
Planting time: March
Duration: 8-10 months
Nutritional Benefits: Rich in Antioxidants, Vitamin B-6 & niacin, Vitamin C & E, Potassium, Iron and zinc.
Health benefits: The primary active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It has antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer, and antiarthritic properties and many other health benefits.
Recipes: Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in several Asian dishes, imparting an aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods, and a natural coloring agent. It is used in many products, such as in curries, detox drinks, canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn, cereals, sauces, and gelatin.
Other names: Haldi.
Ginger
Botanical name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
Origin: Southeast Asia
Planting time: March
Duration: 8 -10 months
Nutritional Benefits:
Health benefits: Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility, improves immunity, relieves nausea and upset stomach, improves blood sugar regulation, prevents cardiovascular disease, and many others.
Recipes: Ginger Tea, marinade in vegetable and meat cooking, curries, canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, cakes, pickles, candies, cereals, and sauces.
Other names: Ginger root and Adrack.
