Scorzonera or salsify ?

[snohare]

Bought a cheapo packet of seeds from Lidl's, because it said "Black Salsify" on the label and I wanted to grow salsify. Then I looked at the latin name...Scorzonera somethingorother ! So, I am now thinking this is scorzonera with an EU name I have bought, and what is the difference anyway as they are both supposed to taste of oysters ?
Not that I have ever tasted oysters, so I may not even like them, but I thought this would be a much cheaper way to find out than going to a restaurant for the real thing...
And just where does either of them stand as regards pests, diseases etc ? Am I right in thinking that they both come under root crops for crop rotation ?

[Nicos]

I'm growing a white skinned Scorzonera for the first time.
Apparently they have a flavour cross between an oyster and asparagus which is supposed to be superior to that of a parsnip!
The secret to keeping the delicate flavour is to peel after cooking!
I have planted them about 3cm apart rather than as parsnips ( in clusters) as they don't thin out well, and I can't stand wasting my carefully nurtured seedlings.
Harvesting is from Oct-April but as they are brittle, don't try and lift them during a frost.
They store in the same way as carrots .
I'm looking forward to trying them.

[muckdiva]

I find scorzonera roots marginally easier to peel than salsify. Be careful when harvesting - the roots can break off fairly easily.
Scorzonera is lovely steamed until soft, then sauteed in a little butter.

[dexterdoglancashire]

I find scorzonera roots marginally easier to peel than salsify. Be careful when harvesting - the roots can break off fairly easily.
Scorzonera is lovely steamed until soft, then sauteed in a little butter.

Does it really taste like oysters? what do they taste like?
Bernie aka Dexterdog

[Nicos]

Does it really taste like oysters? what do they taste like?
Bernie aka Dexterdog

Salty!!! (and if you can cope with the 'glug' in your mouth) and
icy/light/fresh/creamy.
(Boy am I bad at describing things!!!!! )

Well that's if you aren't washing it down with Guiness and Irish soda bread!!!

The veg won't be salty of course!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Its the "glug" I cant cope with! Gulp! Am growing salsify for the first time this year, and its sprouting, so lets give it a go!
Bernie aka Dexterdog

[muckdiva]

Does it really taste like oysters? what do they taste like?
Bernie aka Dexterdog

I think I tried an oyster once and didn't like it, but I do like scorzonera and salsify. I think they taste a bit like the middle of a globe artichoke. Anyway, a great value winter veggie. Hope you give it a try (likes similar soil to carrots otherwise they fork)

[snohare]

How large do these things get ? (He asks, all hopeful all of a sudden ! ) Worth growing in florists buckets ? (I seem to be growing everything in buckets since I got the wrong sort of compost to put in my raised beds... )
I have visions of the neighbouring bucket not getting on well with the scorzonera ..."Oh don't talk to them dear, they think they are superior to us" say the parsnips... Oops, time to go take my medication.

[serenity]

I am trying these in buckets snohare. I wouldn't have room otherwise so I thought I may as well have a go. If parsnips can work in a pot can't see why these shouldn't and at worst I have wasted 19p