Whenever I buy root veggies with tops at the market (beets, carrots, etc.) they always ask if I want the leaves removed. At first I would say yes, but this past year I started saying no. Seeing all that green get tossed onto asphalt always gave me pause. Seemed a bit of a waste. The thing is you want to top your root veggies – the leaves tend to suck nutrients (and flavor) from the roots in an effort to stay alive. And I do so when I get home. But instead of tossing all that foliage, I use the tops for quickie bouquets. I added rosemary to yesterday’s carrot tops for some height and voila, a pleasing all-green spring display on my backsplash. It won’t last terribly long. But for a few days it’s a nice reminder of market day.
March 16, 2008 at 10:07 am
well, that bit about tops sucking nutrients is only half true - root vegetables are all biennials; that is, they complete their life cycles in two years. in the first year, the leaves actually send nutrients to the roots, which act as a sort of winter storage (like a squirrel’s stash of acorns). this is the point at which we harvest the roots to eat. in the second year, the large root uses its stored nutrients to feed new leaves that replace those that died out during the winter, as well as to provide energy for the plant to produce flowers and seeds - this is when the tops drain the root, leaving it withered and small.
i’ve never tried it, but i do know that carrots and parsley are in the same family - i wonder if you could use the tops as an herb?
March 16, 2008 at 10:16 am
Jeffje - Never tried them as an herb, but I have tasted them - similar fresh, slightly bitter flavor. Regarding the nutrients issue - I was told by a farmer, who may or may not have been correct, that once harvested the leaves stop the adding process and go into reverse.
I did find this reference regarding the moisture-nutrient drawing issues regarding root tops: http://www.pinoynegosyo.blogspot.com/2007/10/carrots-farming.html
As it’s a blog, I’d regard it with some skepticism. But the rest of the entry sounds pretty spot on.
Thanks for reading!