Thinning out - what can you eat?

[jennybb]

Hi,

I've just been reading about eating pea shoots and it reminded me that I wanted to post about this a few days ago and forgot.

I'm pretty new to all of this. When thinning seedlings, what can you use for a salad, for example? Can you eat the leaves from radishes? Is there anything that should definately not be eaten?

Cheers

Jenny

[Rich75]

no idea... I know beetroot leaves can be dodgy when they're big ( they contain oxalic acid, as does rhubarb )..but other than that.. not sure!.. sorry

[jennybb]

Don't apologise - I knew about rhubarb, but not beetroot.

[MrsC]

you can eat radish leaves (young) though, chopped up, a bit like spinach when young

[ClayGarden]

you can eat radish leaves (young) though, chopped up, a bit like spinach when young

You cant each spinach when its not young? But thats all it is isn't it?

[rustylady]

Most thinnings from veggies can be eaten as salad. I've never heard of beetroot leaves containing oxalic acid - in fact the baby leaves are recommended as salad. Check the exotic salad and sprouting salad mixes from the big seed suppliers - you'd be surprised what they contain. Radish leaves are OK, but a bit hairy. Obviously, onion thinnings, also lettuce if you've sown in situ, can all be used as salad.

[Rich75]

its only the large beetroot leaves that are iffy

Sanitarium - Beetroot: The sweet beet

[MrsC]

You cant each spinach when its not young? But thats all it is isn't it?

i was referring to the taste of young radish leaves, likening to a spinach taste

[jennybb]

Thanks everyone.

[Mike and Louise]

Young broad bean leaves can be eaten too.
Never tried it though as we don't have to thin our beans. Just read about it in our veg book.

[Paulottie]

Its the tips that you pinch out to avoid blackfly on your BBs that are then cooked. Horrid in smell and taste I thought but hey give it a go.

For saladings...goodness many veg, flowers and even weeds ..ie fat hen, ground elder(better as spinach), chervil and so many others can be eaten. Difficult to name here You really need a book on the subject.

[Alice]

If you're growing some nasturtiums with your edibles you can eat the leaves, flowers and seeds.

[FoxHillGardener]

I'm sure I read somewhere not to eat parsnip leaves. Can't remember where though