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A GUERNSEY GARDENER IN LONDON

Butternuts... A little like buses... (AGGIL 2)

3/10/2019

10 Comments

 
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Butternuts, it appears, are a little like buses.  You wait ages for one to come along, and then three appear at the same time!
It hasn't been a great year for our squash, or at least not at the allotment.  There are a few Cheeky Prince growing amidst the toppled Gigantes and buckled rose arches; some of these squash royalty are green and some distinctly turning a bright orange.  However, on the whole squash on our allotment plots this year have been few and far between... literally!!
When I meandered down earlier to check on our plots and read the site water meter, I thought whilst I was there I would just pop over to where we are tending to a 2m by 1m patch on a fellow allotmenteers plot.  The two Achocha that Vivi gave us in early July are both about seven or eight foot high now, and covered in little fruits (note to self - make Vivi's Achocha & Chickpea Curry!!), and the sight of them did brighten my day.
​One of them did look a little off though...  Odd colour... Odd shape...  Had it not been pollinated correctly?  Had it been distorted somehow by rubbing against the willow pole structure?  Or was it in fact not an Achocha at all?!?!
So you can imagine the flush of warmth inside and the big smile that came to my face when I saw the little wee Butternut Waltham above.  Finally... FINALLY we had a butternut.  And then I spotted another!  And yet another!!!!!
 
So, after all that slightly pained forlornment of the past few months, we finally have three baby Butternut Walthams, though as Hamlet said, 'there's the rub'!  It is now the third of October, the nights are chilly, rain is always round the corner, sun shines brightly and then is quickly scurried away by storm clouds, and therefore the chances of any of these three beauties ripening to maturity is slim to none.
However, it is now true that we do have butternuts.  They may not lift to the heights, maturity and fruitfulness of Hugh & Mama and their plump family of last year, but they are Butternut Walthams none the less.  And that, in itself, is worth smiling about.  
A Guernsey Gardener in London, Day 2
10 Comments
Dalia Monterroso link
3/10/2019 04:18:17 pm

That was so delightful!

Reply
Paul Savident
3/10/2019 04:40:27 pm

Thanks Dalia. Much appreciated. 😊

Reply
Marie Currie
3/10/2019 04:25:07 pm

So wonderful to see the blog up & running. It's much easier for me to access than YouTube when I'm on my break at work (my days off are few & far between now).
I really enjoy your writing & I look forward to following in the future.

Reply
Paul Savident
3/10/2019 04:43:21 pm

Really appreciate your words Marie. It will take me a little time to get back in to my style of writing rather than automatically going to one of the styles I use for my clients, who of course have a very different 'voice'. 😊

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David Croft link
3/10/2019 05:07:45 pm

Thank you for the recipes,I’m trying to eat more healthy and they are a great encouragement

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Paul Savident
3/10/2019 06:27:28 pm

You are very welcome. 😊

Reply
Fiona
3/10/2019 07:04:44 pm

Achocha - did I say that right? A-cho-cha. Oh well you get my drift anyway. Ever since I saw Vivi growing them they’ve caught my fancy. Thought I might give them a go myself. Ive seen a recipe where they’re sautéed in olive oil with red peppers so that will probably be my go to taste test. Enjoy yours, let us know what you think of them.

Reply
Paul Savident
3/10/2019 08:44:15 pm

That's it... All Ch, Ch, Ch...😊 I am leaving some for seed, as I am sure Vivi will too. That recipe idea sounds both simple and yummy. 😊

Reply
Amin Paul
8/10/2019 04:26:17 am

Hello Mr. Paul
This is my mother's most loved veg. When she is around it's something she loves to make. There is a sweet dish recipe of these some where. Some days i wish there was some way to be with my mum and make the food. i cut and prepare and she puts in the right amount of salt and other things. magic. i hope your day has been great and the garden is fabulous. Respect

Reply
Paul Savident
8/10/2019 08:00:25 am

Amin, we do love butternuts too which is why it is such a shame to have none grow to full size. Last year we were inundated!! Those memories with your mum are valuable indeed. Many times I have done the same with my mum, and I must remember this when she does offer to help. From her chair she can do much peeling and chopping, and I need to treasure that. 😊

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