March 12th 2008

Standing in the garden yesterday I couldn’t help but notice just how much all the bees and other insects absolutely love the flowers of the Jerusalem artichokes. Jerusalem artichokes are in the asteraceae family as are many of our flowers that the bees and insects enjoy, but on reflection I think Jerusalem artichokes are one of the best. Not only do the bees and hover flies and beneficial insects love them, but because they have large leaves they are loved by the lady birds etc to lay their eggs. They are great garden habitat for beneficial insects.

Red skinned Jerusalem artichokes

Our garden is brimming over with colourful veges at the moment here is a recipe we made up this week to use them all.

Rainbow Autumn Salad

Urenika potatoes, Pink Fir Potatoes, Karoro potatoes or any mix of heritage waxy potatoes that make great salads. Use 2 potatoes per person, boiled with skins on then cooled and peeled. They are easy to peel, just slit the skin and it peels away from the potato

Yellow ,Red, Green, Orange and stripey tomatoes. Use 1 or two per person, cut into bite sized pieces

Hard boiled eggs 1 per person - sliced

1 California red onion finely sliced

A big handful of finely chopped chickweed, parsley, basil chives, or whatever greens you have

A few pieces of chargrilled sweet pepper (stored in a jar of olive oil with a garlic clove in the fridge)

A diced and grilled purple skinned eggplant

Mix all together in a salad bowl and pour over a dressing made of 50% quality olive oil and 50% organic cider vinegar

This could easily be a meal or a salad to go with a meal

Kay