mystery veg

We like vegetables. So we’re very excited to have the people from Riverford come along to our fete this year. What they don’t know about veg isn’t worth the forking manure, and we consider them to be a key partner in our quest to help people eat slightly fewer sausage rolls and a bit more fruit and veg.

As part of this quest, Riverford would like you to bring your strangely shaped veg to our fete. Wonky carrots, bulbous onions and courgettes that look like the Dalai Lama – all are welcome. The best ones will win a prize and be shown off in the Riverford tent. Or you can just post a photo of your weird veg here.

Also, we have a small competition for you. Just name the vegetables below (proper Latin names please, as well as their everyday names) and you can win one of three fancy boxes of Riverford fruit and veg. Post your answers as a comment, along with a tie-breaker – a maximum of 15 words completing the following phrase - "I love wonky veg because............"

Good luck (deadline is the end of this Friday 25th July).

Mystery veg 1

Mystery veg 2

Comments

[Sam Mallett]

Look at this tasty collection:
http://uliwestphal.110mb.com/mutatocollection/

[dan at innocent]

Smashing stuff Sam. Nature does some odd things.

[Caroline Green]

Kohl rabi and romanesco, both members of the brassica oleracea family

I love wonky veg. because each is unique and interesting and full of goodness.

[alibobs20]

Veg 1: Beta Vulgaris - Beetroot

Veg 2: Broccolo Romanesco - Romanesco Broccoli

I love wonky veg because humans haven't meddled with it and it is as nature intended.

[Seakay]

KOHLRABI (possibly purple vienna)
Brassica oleracea gongylodes caulorapa

ROMANESCO
Brassica oleracea italica

"I love wonky veg because it's usually a sign that they are organic, or at least home grown, and so the flavour will be perfection."

[Maria]

Mystery veg 1 = Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea (Gongylodes Group)
Mystery veg 2 = Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea (Botrytis Group)

I love wonky veg because... I'm a slightly odd shape myself, and like to be surrounded by those similarly blessed.

[Chris]

1) 'Purple Vienna' kohlrabi (can be Brassica caulorapa, or Brassica oleracea gongylodes)

2) Romanesco broccoli (Brassica oleracea)

"I love wonky veg because each vegetable can be an unique, regulation-free, tasty wonder."

[Sophia Perry]

Mystery Veg 1 is the lovely purple beetroot aka Bete Vulgaris conditiva
and Mystery veg 2 is the Spiral Cauliflower aka Brassicas Oleracea Botrytis yum yum!

I love wonky veg, cos its often the stuff left in the bottom of the basket or box that no one wants and it gets lonely and wants to be eaten so it can give you all if its crunchy veggie goodness and go one to live an immortal life in veggie heaven. Poor lonely wonky veg, I'll have you!

[Elizabeth Wootten]

The first vegetable looks like kohl rabi, but some weird purple variety thereof, and the second is Romanesco broccoli. Both are loosely of the species Brassica oleracea.

I love wonky veg because, like people, vegetables should be allowed to celebrate their differences.

[Sarah]

I think the veggies are

Kohlrabi: Brassica Oleracea - Gongylodes Group

Romanesco Broccoli: Brassica Oleracea - Botrytis Group

"I love wonky veg because it makes me giggle"

[Sophia Perry]

Although that may be a purple cabbage (Kohlrabi, Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) masquerading as a beetroot to confuse me... pesky cabbage!

[Louise]

1)Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea
2)Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea

"I love wonky veg because".....wonky rules! And let's face it where's the fun in perfect??

[Beth]

veg 1 is kohl rabi
brassica oleracea (purple vienna variety)
veg 2 is romanesco
brassicae oleracea l.

I like wonky veg because...
it's a feast for the eyes and also the tum, funny but also tastes yum

[Catherine Long]

I belive the first veg is Kohlrabi and the second is Romanesco Brocolli.

"I love wonky veg because it is always reduced in supermakters as consumers cannot look outside the box and realise it WILL TASTE the same, plus will look a bit more unique in your fridge and your boyfriend can have hours of fun making rude shapes with it!"

[Catherine Long]

sorry i forgot the latin names

1)Brassica oleracea gongylodes caulorapa

2)Brassica oleracea italica

[Ben Ravenhill]

I think these weird and wonderful specimens are

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because if its made it to the supermaket to deserves some recognition!

[jacqui]

Veg 1: Beetroot of Chioggia
Veg 2: broccoli romanesco

I love wonky veg because like people they are unique and strange and the way nature intended LoL

[Lucy]

Not the first but I did know - honest.

mystery veg 1 is kohl rabi
brassica oleracea (purple vienna variety)and veg 2 is romanesco brassicae oleracea

I wish Innocent did some really good veggie smoothies - pea, lettuce and mint I make alot at home with just a touch of onion.

[Jane]

The first is peas and the second is a purple carrot.
ILWV because I can't think of a reason not to and they need love too. Don't be vegist.

[Nick Harris]

1. Kohlrabi – brassica oleracea
2. Romanesco – brassicae oleracea

I love 'wonky veg' because...
It's an anagram of 'gowk envy'. Box of veg says you'll look up 'gowk' ;)

[Rolando]

I LOVE VEG AND OFF COURSE FRUITS...
CARROTES JUICE IS MAYBE THE BEST FOR ME HMMMMMMMMMMMMM SO SWEET...

[Nat]

1) 'Purple Vienna' kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes)

2) Romanesco broccoli (Brassica oleracea botrytis)

I love wonky veg because the world is straight and narrow enough.

[Lisa]

Kohl rabi = brassica oleracea

Romanesco = brassicae oleracea l.

"I love wonky veg because they make wonky people feel less inadequate"

[Julie Crouch]

1) Kohl rabi - Brassica Oleracea
2) Romanesco - Brassica Oleracea

I love wonky veg because nature isn't meant to conform.

[Dorothy Merrett]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

[Lobelia]

kohlrabi and romanesco broccoli of the brassica oleracea family! We eat a lot of the regular variety of kohlrabi in the hills of WV where I'm originally from. Tastes a little like a turnip. It's wonderful eaten raw with a little sea salt on it. Deelish!

[Scott K]

Top: Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group - Kohl Rabi (there are a few purple varieties, maybe Early Purple Vienna or "Delicacy Purple" or "Purple Danube". It's yummy.

Bottom: Brassica oleracea (Romanesco) or Romanesco broccoli - a fractal food, also showing the Fibonacci growth spiral nicely.

I love wonky veg because it matches my wonky cooking!

[claire close]

1 is Kohlrabi (Brassica olerecea)
2 is Romenesco broccoli (Brassica olerecea)

I love wonky veg because my husband is the cook and it takes him ages to peel them!

[Natty]

Mystery veg:

Purple Kohlrabi (or German Turnip) - Latin: Brassica Oleracea, Gongylodes group

Romanesco Broccoli (or Broccoflower) - Latin: Brassica Oleracea, Botrytis group

I LOVE WONKY VEG BECAUSE I AM A WONKY VEGETARIAN!!!

I also love badgers and if i win the prize i will leave a little bit for my badger friends at the bottom of the garden X

[Jo Bryan]

1.Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea gongylodes

2- Romanesco Brocolli.
Brassica oleracea italica

Wonky veg is always fun,
It looks like a willy or sometimes your bum!

[Emily]

1) Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea
2) Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea

(although I did cheat - my mother told me - she's the veggie-brain in our family)

I love wonky veg...because you can't get it in the shops.

[Nina]

1)Kohlrabi
(Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)Romansesco Brocolli
(Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because it's one of those small things in life that make you smile.

[Daisy Cross]

Number 1 is a purple Kholrabi Pickle

Latin Name :Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes group)

Number 2 is a Romanesca broccoli / Romanesca Cauliflower
latin : Brassica oleracea

(Again )

I love Wonky veg becuase they Make the world more interesting .Also because When I was about 7 my brother always used to get the first cucumber of the year from my neighbour... and they were ALWAYS wonky. Wonky Veg makes up some of my best memories of being 7 :D

[Tamsine]

Mystery veg 1 - Purple Kohlrabi - otherwise known as Brassica Oleracea (Gongylodes group). Kohlrabi is German for 'cabbage turnip'.
You can eat both the bulbs and the leaves. Very nice sauteed with onion and a bit of salt.

Mystery veg 2 - Romanesco Broccoli - otherwise known as Brassica Oleracea (Botrytis group) 'Romanesco'.
If you look closely you will see that this vegetable is a fractal!

I love wonky veg because I'm into individuality - who wants to eat a Stepford vegetable?!

[Daisy Cross]

OH no my last comment was more than 15 words :(

Can i enter my new one please?

Number 1 is a purple Kholrabi Pickle

Latin Name :Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes group)

Number 2 is a Romanesca broccoli / Romanesca Cauliflower
latin : Brassica oleracea

(Again )

I Love Wonky Veg because they are always completely and utterly unique!

[Lizzie S]

Veggie 1: a variety of purple kohl rabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes)
Veggie 2: 'romanesco' or 'fractal' broccoli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because knobbly and bobbly is best!

[Cate]

purple kohlrabi
broccoli romanesco

I love wonky veg because they have not conformed to EU regs forcing veg to look a certain way but taste of nothing. I applaud the wonky vegetable and its real taste!

[Kayla Caruso]

The first mystery produce item is: Purple Vienna Kohlrabi. It's latin name is Brassica caulorapa or Brassica oleracea gongylodes
The second one is:Romanesco broccoli. it's latin name is Brassica oleracea botrytis

i love wonky vegetables because they give my digestion track a fun challenge!

[Laura Goldsmith]

1. Kohlrabi
2. Romanesco Broccoli
Both are species 'brassica oleracea'

I love wonky veg because its the best way to get kids interested in growing their own veg at home - wonky carrotts are great fun for kids.

[Fiona Hunter]

they look like a beetroot and a cauliflower to me!

i love wonky veg because... it rhymes with Donkey Sledge, and that's the most fun type of transport i know.

[Becca Rothwell]

Veg 1)"Purple Vienna" Kohlrabi - Brassica oleracea, Gongylodes group

Veg 2) Romanesco broccoli - Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group

I love wonky veg because they're cheaper in shops, and sometimes you get a turnip shaped just like a thingy!

[tori]

My favourite, beetroot and brocolli, though i thought it was a cauliflower...

Earlier comment about veg drinks, I can't stop drinking apple, celery, ginger and cucumber (i love it and drink pints of.. heavy on the apple and light on the ginger)

[Jane McIntosh]

1. Kohlrabi (German turnip) Brassica caulorapa var. Gongylodes = Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes [Purple variety eg Purple Vienna or Purple Danube]
2. Romanesco Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis

I love wonky veg because they’re hilarious as well as good to eat.

[Kathryn]

I think i'm a little behind in the game here but:
1. Kohlrabi (German Turnip) (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2. Romanesco broccoli, of the species Brassica oleracea (known in Italy as broccolo romanesco)

[Cher Waite]

1)kohlrabi
2)romansesco brocolli

I love wonky veg because its not a size zero, its not been airbrushed, its the beth ditto of the vegetable world therefore it rocks. The wonkier the better!!

[Cher Waite]

theres the proper latin names too cos I forgot in my wonky wonderings!

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

[frances hopkins]

They are really strange

1)kohlrabi (Brassica leracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli bassica oleracea)

[Jo Bell]

Mystery veg 1. Kohlrabi, brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group)
2. Romanesco Broccoli, bassica oleracea (Botrytis group)

I love wonky veg cos 'normal' is boring!

[Karen Dobbin]

Purple Kholrabi, Vienna - Brassica oleracea gongylodes caulorapa

and Romanesco Broccoli - Brassica Oleracea

I love wonky veg because it isn't MEANT to look perfect!

[Katy Martin]

Hello Lovely Innocent people.

I'm coming to your fete and shall be bring lots of weird veg as most of the stuff I grow ends up looking less than supermarket ready! I shall also be bringing my lovely new hat with big flowers on it - so it had better be sunny!
As for the mystery veg!
Vegetable 1 is Kohl Rabi
(Latin - brassica oleracea)from the Gongylodes Group aka the German Turnip. It's very nice in a stir fry but not as nice as water chesnuts!
The second vegatable is Romanesco (Latin brassicae oleracea l) It's called a Broccoli but it's really a type of Cauliflower.

I love wonky veg because I think secretly they love me too!

[Gwen Wagner-Adair]

1) Kohl Rabi : Kolibri F1 Hybrid (brassica oleracea)

2)Romanesco Brocolli = brassicae oleracea l

[Kelly West]

1) Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group (Purple Vienna Kohl Rabi)

2) Brassica oleracea (Romanesco broccoli)

I love wonky veg because...
nothing straight ever came out of Brussels.

[Sally]

1. Kohl rabi - brassica oleracea

2. Romanesco - brassicae oleracea l.

I love wonky veg because...what's there not to love about all things wonky?

[Karen]

1) Khol Rabi - Brassica oleracea
2) Romanesco Broccoli - Brassica oleracea [Botrytis Group]

I love wonky veg because it puts a smile on my face!

[Kate]

1.Purple Vienna (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group)
2. Romanesco broccoli (Brassica oleracea Botrytis group)

I love wonky veg because it's like my momma always says: wonky see, wonkey do!

[Hannah]

Hello lovely innocent, the first is Kohlrabi or German Turnip, of the variety Purple Vienna. The second is Romanesco broccoli with it's fractal patterns :). Both members of the Brassica oleracea or Gongylodes Group.

"I like wonky veg because... whether they're long, thin or loop de loop, they all taste awesome in my soup!"

[Brett Pereira]

1. Beetroot
2. Brocolli

[Anne Benson]

1 - Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea
2 - Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea

I love wonky veg because it's better to stand out from the crowd, the wonkier the better.

[Sarita]

Kohl Rabi and Romanesco Broccoli, both Brassica Oleracea.
I love wonky veg because it reminds me of the muddy hands and strawberry-stained lips of my childhood.

[Nicola Butterworth]

Mystery veg Number 1
Beetroot.. beta vulgaris

poor beetroot even your latin name means people are not naturally attracted to you. Personally i think you can;t beat a lancashire chees and beetroot butty.

Mystery veg Number 2
Romanesco broccoli...Brassica oleracea

let's face facts this veg wouldn;t look amiss on the Clangers - would be a great accompaniment to blue string pudding

[lauren lakin]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love Wonky veg - cos wonky veg loves me!! And let's face it, wonky is funky (Man!!)

[Peter Williams]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because if you are REALLY lucky they can look like willies!!!

[Kat]

Mystery veg 1: Kohlrabi (brassica oleracea, Gongylodes group)
Mystery veg 2: Romanesco broccoli (brassica oleracea)

So funky that such different veg have the same Latin name! :)

I love wonky veg because mathematical perfection tastes like dust compared with the flavour explosion of randomly-shaped veg!

[Anna White]

1 kohlrabi
2 Romanesco

Both brassica oleracea 1-gongylodes 2-botrytis

I love wonky veg because I'm slightly wonky myself and i know how it feels!

[Lana Wool]

Veg 1: Kohlrabi of the Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group

Veg 2: Romanesco Cauliflower otherwise known as a Spiral Cauliflower of the Brassica oleracea Botrytis group

I love wonky veg because...

God wouldn't have wanted us to be bored now would he?

[Annie]

1: Kohlrabi, Brassica oleracea - German Turnip

2: Broccolo Romanesco - Romanesco Broccoli

I love wonky veg because when you've finished laughing at it, you can eat it!

[DK]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

"I love wonky veg because it means supermarkets haven't wasted perfectly good food to look aesthetically pleasing"

[Dora]

1. Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group, Brassicaceae)

2. Romanesco broccoli (Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group, Brassicaceae) - a fractal food, and probably the only one.

I love wonky veg because they're special and random and fractal and make me smile.

[Cathryn Bowen]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

"I love wonky veg because............" it brings me back to my roots

[Veronica still]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea
what a great idear getting people to grow weird shape veg makes it more execiting

p.s. dont know what URL is

[Vicky]

The edible bulbed vegetable is Beta vulgaris - beetroot.

The second is actually an edible flower called Brassica oleracea - Romanesco brocolli.

I like wonky vegetables because they can act as an innocent looking snare capable of hooking on and capturing what ever it is that keeps on making all these crop circles...

[Lyndylu]

I love wonky veg because that's how it's meant to be.

[Lyndylu]

Kohlrabi - brassica oleracea
Romanesco - brassica oleracea

I love wonky veg because that's how it's meant to be.

[Kate Buckland]

1)Kohlrabi / Kohl Rabi. Brassica Oleracea - Gongylodes Group.
2)Romanesco Broccoli. ('Broccoflower') Brassica Oeracea

I love wonky Veg,
because it doesn't cost much wedge, "And makes you better in bed" (says my Green-grocer Reg!)

[Lynn Carter]

Veg 1 Kohlrabi - what common name?

Veg 2 - Cauliflower Romanescus.

I love wonky veg because - I myself am wonky - and why not?

[Jane Simons]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea)

2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

"I love wonky veg because....

it reminds me of my grandad's garden, no supermarkets, veg from garden to cooking pot.

[stephaniem]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because eating and laughing are both essential to life

[Jess]

veg 1 is Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea Gongylodes Group, veg 2 is Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea Botrytis Group

I love wonky veg because it will be a heck of a lot more wonky when I eat it =)

[Debs1971]

1. 'Purple Vienna' Kohlrabi = brassica oleracea gongylode

2. Romanesco Broccoli = Brassica oleracea botrytis

I love wonky veg because...
you can pretend they are rude body parts and send them to Esther Rantzen!!

[Paula Sainthouse]

kohl rabi
brassica oleracea
romanesco
brassicae oleracea

I love wonky veg because they’re a real treat. Can look like deep-fried aliens but are still great to eat.

[C Whatley]

The veg are:

Kohlrabi
Romanesco

Wonky veg are more natural and taste better

[suzanne marke]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)
i love wonky veg because.....
wonky veg loves me full of wonky goodness and on my plate for tea

[Phil Collins]

Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea gongylodes caulorapa

Romanesco
Brassica oleracea italica (otherwise known as "fractal Cauliflower")

I like wonky vegetables because they're one of the few things in life that you can have a good laugh at, then eat for dinner. Yum.

[Natalie Rosen]

Veg 1:- Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea (Gongylodes Group)
Veg 2:- Romanesco- Brassica Oleracea (Botrytis Group)

I love wonky veg because they go against societies misconception of beauty and perfection!!

[Pauline]

1: Kohl Rabi - 'Purple Vienna'
(Brassica oleracea)

2: Romanesco Broccoli
(brassicae oleracea l. - Botrytis Group)

I like wonky veg because, they remind me of happy summer days digging in the garden with my Dad

[william burton]

Beta Vulgaris - Beetroot

Broccolo Romanesco - Romanesco Broccoli

both very tasty mmm

[Debbie Henry]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because in a world obsessed with perfection it reminds us that imperfection can be perfect.

[Michael Stephens]

Well even though I have no idea what they are. I would like to say that number two reminds me of a fractal.
This being an object or pattern that no matter how much you 'zoom' in on it repeats over and over again it really is wierd.

I love wonky vegetables because they make slicing and dicing in the usual way impossible, also they're good to laugh at.

[Verity Milligan]

1) Kohl rabi - Brassica Oleracea
2) Romanesco - Brassica Oleracea

"I love wonky veg because it matches my wonky donkey!"

[Sarah Buchanan]

1. Purple Vienna Kohlrabi (german turnip). Brassica oleracea, gongylodes group.

2. Romanesco broccoli (broccoflower). Brassica oleracea.

I love wonky veg.
They start life on my window ledge,
Then re-planted at the foot of my hedge.
They are tasty, so I pledge.
A great big thank you to all wonky veg.

[Beverley Kerry]

1) Kohlrabi
2) Romanesco

I love wonky veg because it confuses the heck out of my rescued guinea pigs!

[Samantha Mackie]

1)Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)Romansesco Brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because like everything else in life it's not the outside that matters, but the inside.

[Joanne Davis]

1) Kohl rabi - Brassica Oleracea
2) Romanesco - Brassica Oleracea

I love wonky veg because strangely anough it always tastes that little bit better!

[julie earnshaw]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

Naturally healthy eat,
Freshly grown , imperfect treat,
Not artificial, tasteless plastic,
REALly juicy,VEG fantastic!

[Florence Cross]

"I love wonky veg because they're as nature intended, and not cosmetically enhanced.
1. Kohl rabi - Brassica Oleracea
2. Romanesco - Brassica Oleracea

[Csaba Bali]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (brassicae oleracea l.)

I love wonky veg because they're tasty, healthy and fun!

[Ann Fenton]

1) Kohlrabi - Brassica Oleracea
2) Romanesco - Brassica Oleracea
(it is a type of cauliflower)
I love wonky veg because who needs physical perfection when the heart is good.

[Kirsty Collard]

Veg 1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
Veg 2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

"I love wonky veg because............my kids think veg with 'rude bits' are funny and clear their plates with smiles"

[Lola!!!!!]

The first one is beetroot - Beta vulgaris conditiva.

The second one is Romanesco broccoli - Brassica oleracea.

I love wonky veg because it's generally tastier than most people. (just kidding).

[Helen]

1)kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group)
2)romansesco brocolli (Brassica oleracea)

I love wonky veg because sometimes it can be a little bit rude ;) x