Wonky bulb, veg and the sound of summer
I’m quite fond of a wonky piece of veg - somehow it seems so unfair to exclude them when we are an inclusive bunch of people. And then, having watched Clarkson’s Farm, and learning how Farmer’s are abysmally paid for wonky veg, I’m wondering if it’s time to campaign for the revival of wonkiness in all that we eat.
BRING BACK WONKY VEG!
Jokes aside, I’d never considered how the cost of growing a wonky, or a non-standard size, weight and shaped piece of veg was actually the same as the ‘normal’ equivalent. Just not right is it? I mean, no farmer goes out and actively purchases wonky veg seed, do they! Can you imagine placing that order on the phone?
“Mornin, I’ll have 5 tonnes of your best wonky veg seed.”
‘You’re lucky you phoned, Farmer, we’ve all but sold out. Next few days we’ll be disappointing every other Farmer in the land . . . and beyond. Now how about some normal veg seed then, not popular I agree, that said you can have it at 50% cost today.’
'“Well I’ll be darned, how about you put me down for a future order of 10 tonnes of your best wonky veg seed, then.’
“And the normal seed?”
“Tempted, only there’s no margin in it. It’s wonky that sells.”
SUPPORT OUR FAMERS! EAT WONKY VEG!
Years and years ago when wonky was the norm, I well remember peeling a rather rude shaped carrot and digging the eyes out of spuds. And once cooked, they tasted the same as every other root veg in the saucepan. Bonus, they made us laugh too.
Wonky bulbs then. The Alium you see above all this text is in my garden, and it is my most favourite plant this year. What I think has happened is the bulb went into the ground ok, only as it emerged and headed towards the sun, it became entangled with the lovely blue bush below it - no idea of its name - or, it got stuck under the lip of the pot. Regardless, having noticed and moved it a little, my wonky bulb remains wonky and is about to bloom. Way to go wonky bulb!
And finally, for anyone missing the sounds of The Great British Summer Time, the short video above is there to help you remember what you’ve missed, plus what we’re all hoping for.
ENJOY THE YEAR OF WONKY