Looking more like something from an alien planet the bitter melon is actually an edible vegetable. For those familiar with the range of subtropical and tropical edibles that horticulturist’s like Annette McFarlane, myself, Jerry CW, and the wonderful Frances & Jeff from Green harvest have been promoting for decades, these are nothing new. But those new to gardening through hot humid summers these are edibles that will thrive. The next catch with creating awareness of these heat loving edibles is that folks often don’t know what to do with them. How do you prepare, cook and eat all these edibles. The bitter melon is a climbing plant so a trellis will be needed to allow them to grow to their full potential. Best planted during spring for summer and autumn harvests. Grow all year round in the tropics. To eat, once the bitter melon is of a reasonable size 20cm+ harvest, slice in half, scoop out seeds and then parboil for 3min to remove some of the bitterness and intensity of flavour. It can can now be sliced and added to stir fries, curries, soups or when left unsliced you can stuff them with a spicy pork mince. The bigger the bitter melon becomes the more bitter it becomes. Big isn’t always best! Note: Bitter melon has a natural substance in it that acts like insulin so those on diabetic medications should avoid eating bitter melon. Pregnant & breastfeeding women and small children should also avoid this vegetable. #bittermelon #momordica #edibles #subtropicalveggiepatch #tropicalgarden #veggiepatch #vegetables #climbingedible #asiancuisine #heatlover #brisbanegarden #subtropicalgardening #clairesgoodlife #clairebicklegardeningforthegoodlife
A couple of weeks ago I found this climbing spinach that I forgot I planted and added a climbing frame. It’s now covered in lovely pink buds as well as giving us edible leaves for salad 😋 swipe ⏪ to see the flowers. Bonus plants and flowers are the best! #climbingspinach #bonusplant #spinach #buds #pinkflowers #ediblegarden #mygarden #veggiegarden #brisbanegarden #cottagegarden #gardeningaustralia #subtropicalveggiepatch #subtropicalgarden #mypatch
The ornamental flowers on the ‘painted lady’ beans are quite something 🌱 . . #grownfromseed #beans #veggiegarden #raisedgardenbed #paintedladybean #growyourownfood #happygardener #runnerbeans #inmygarden #subtropicalveggiepatch
After a lot of added soil, the no-dig is starting to pay off - so happy with how productive everything is now....💕💕
Temporary winter veggie patch coming on well after an attack on the kale initially! Oh and a couple of chooks got in and demolished quite a bit! #chooklife #winterinqueensland😎 #subtropicalveggiepatch #gardeninglife #veggiepatch #growyourownfood #growwiththeflow #carrots #kale #lettuce #beetroot #cabbage #cauliflower #onion #mint #silverbeet #chives #dill #dianthus #coriander #peas #basil #rocket #asiangreens
Like peas in a pod 🌱👌 #yummypeas #peasoup #freshpeas #givepeasachance #lol #veggiepatch #winterinqueensland #subtropicalveggiepatch
Dwarf simba beans popping through. These were a very successful variety for us at our last property, excited to try them here and see how they go before our major veg garden plans #dwarf #simba #bean #sunshinecoast #subtropicalgarden #subtropicalveggiepatch
So impressed with this Aussie cute cumber variety. Absolutely covered in flowers and fruit. #sunshinecoast #subtropicalveggiepatch #cucumber #cutecumber #curcubit
Dark Opal Basil!! Looks great as well as being edible. And don't forget the seeds are edible as well, along with the flowers. Pink vinegar? Yep, just add some purple basil to a bottle of vinegar = pink basil infused vinegar :) #basil #purpleherbs #pinkvinegar #edibleflowers #edibleseeds #winterinbrisbane #subtropicalveggiepatch #beefodder #herbs #italiancooking #clairesgoodlife