The Elbert County tribune., 1915-03-19


Notwithstanding the low fuel value
of the leaves and stalks of plants that
are commonly served under the name
greens" the thrifty housewife recog-
nizes the necessity of supplying her
family with this type of food. Partic-
ularly in the early spring will she sup
ply her family bountifully with them,
as they are very welcome after the
winter diet of canned goods, dried
vegetables and root vegetables stored
in the cellar. A double purpose may
be accomplished in the country hcme
by the use of wild greens, namely,
freeing the ground from weeds and
providing food. The common dande-
lion may be used in this way.
The dandelion is cut close to the
ground before the flower bud has ex-
panded. When it is desired to root
out the plant from a lawn, the entire
root must be dug up; If simply the
top is cut off, the dandelion grows
again and in larger head. The slight
ly bitter flavor of the leaves is not
disagreeabe. The roots furnish a
bitter extract often used incidentally,
particularly in the domestic medicine
of early times. When cultivated, the
dandelion is milder and more tender,
and may be used as salad, as may the
very young wild plants
Asparagus is long-lived, easily cul-
tivated delicacy, and it is strange that
any farm should lack it. Many an
asparagus bed does good service to
the second and third generation of
owners. 1t can be cooked in many
ways. As is the case with most green
vegetables its delicate flavor is spoiled
by overlooking. 1t should be cooked
only long enough to make it tender.
Spinach is a favorite form of green's
and is seen in city markets most of
the year. 1t can be grown easily in
any garden. A French proverb calls
it the broom of the stomach" and it
appears to be richer in iron than most
common foods The tenderest leaves
may be served raw as a salad.
Lettuce makes an excellent green"
for cooking. although American house
wives seldom realize this. In Europe
the tougher or outer leaves of the let
tuce are used in particular in this
way. Care should be taken to see
that such lettuce is not overlooked.
Rhubarb is another plant in which
the leafstalks are the useful portion,
though it may from it's use be classed
as a fruit rather than as vegetable.
The various acids and other flavors it
contains are acceptable in the early
spring when it is at its best. Later
in the season, when the stalks are
tough and fibrous, the juice may be
extracted for jelly making. Because
1t contains some oxalic acid the use
of rhubarb is frequently forbidden to
persons of gouty tendencies. or with
certain other diseases.
The Useful Onion Tribe.
Onions owe their flavor to a eola-
tile, oil-like compound containing sui
,phur. They are very succulent but
nevertheless supply some nutritive
material. Many varieties are grown
by American farmers and gardeners,
and the crop is very important one.
The tiny pearl and button onions are
convenient for salads or pickles or for
the hint of flavor wanted where
large onion would be far too much
The white-skinned Egyptian onions
are usually a satisfactory variety.
There are many onions in the market
which are strong in flavor and tough.
and justify the prejudice which the
undiscriminating have against all
onions. In general, the greenish yell
low and red types of onions, owing to
their texture and flavor, are less sat
isfactory for cooking as a vegetable
than those of lighter hue.
Onion tops, like the stalks of wild
leeks and chives, can also be used for
favoring, especially the sprouts that
start when the bulbs have been kept
in a warm room.
Preparation Of Onions.
To prepare onions, peel under wa
ter so that the volatile bodies which
affect the eyes may remain in the wa
ter and be kept from scattering.
Where the onions are especially strong
or liable to prove indigestible to any
one, they may be put. after peeling,
into boiling water, to each quart of
which one-fourth teaspoonful of bicar,
Donate of soda has been added. After
letting them stand in this water half
an hour, drain and boil in plenty of
salted water from one half to two
hours, according to the nature of the
variety in hand. changing the water if
desirable.
Often it is wise to take of one or
two of the coarser layers next the
outside skin and reserve them for fla
voring soups, while part of the ten
der succulent center may be reserved
for salad In cutting up an onion
for seasoning hold it with fork so
that the onion odor viii not get on
tha hands