I've been involved with judging vegetables at a couple of shows over the last two years.
At the last one, I was asked "Why didn't mine win?"
So what was I looking for in the perfect display?
The most important thing with any display is to have fresh, good produce, free of disease and blemishes, and of a uniform size, shape, and colour.
Follow exactly what the shedule for the show asks for. If it says "Carrots with 3" of the tops", then they should have 3" of the stalk left. Not 2.75", not 3.25", but 3". A vase of 6 Sweet peas must contain 6 stalks. A selection of vegetables displayed in a box 20" x 20" must be the right size, box means box, tray means tray, and basket means basket.
Produce should be clean, washing is OK providing the skin isn't damaged, but be careful, do not scrub. Produce should be shown in the condition that you would harvest it, or in the case of onions, how you would store them. So a fine, intact papery skin is ideal, but it must be a complete covering. They should not be peeled as if you are about to cook with them. The tops should be bent over, and held with string, or elastic band.
Podded veges will be opened to check for quality, peas must fill the pod but still be round, broad beans must not be to firm. Root vegetagles, Carrots and Parsnips must have as much taproot as possible. I remember my father digging down 2 or 3 feet to get the very tip of his parsnips. Beetroot will be cut open to check for evenness of colour and growth rings.
..and please, don't try and arrange your display to hide or cover blemishes. Judges will handle and inspect all surfaces. Finally, I judge by discarding entries until 3 are left, and then award prizes. Artistic arrangement will only be looked at after all the above criteria have been filled.
Good luck next year..
Friday, 10 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
How to store vegetables overwinter
My Onions did pretty well this year, I'd even go as far as saying they are the best onions I've ever grown. Amazing to think that from that little bag of sets, I got over 25 kg of onions. These have been carefully laid out on a table in my shed to dry, with most of the soil rubbed off. I would like to tie them in strings, รก la french onion seller, but haven't mastered this skill yet. They'll probably end up in one of those carrot string bags. Once dry the tops will be cut off, and we'll use the ones with thick stems first, as these won't keep as well.
Now to harvesting carrots and storage. They're not going to develop much more now, and want to get them before the slugs. I've heard that they should be stored in dry sand or peat, has anyone done this, and how long do they last?
Now to harvesting carrots and storage. They're not going to develop much more now, and want to get them before the slugs. I've heard that they should be stored in dry sand or peat, has anyone done this, and how long do they last?
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Scourie Stall
The next foodlink stall in Scourie will be on Wednesday 8th Sep, 10:30 - 12:00.
If anyone has any produce for sale, please let be know.
The stall at the Scourie Bough Tent looked brilliant, a great selection of fresh locally grown vegetables, some superb baking, and a wide range of locally made preserves. Sadly, the stall was poorly attended, and there was much produce left over. Jams sold well, as did some of the home baking, but we had a lot left at the end. (..went down well at the committee meeting the following day!!)
Aggie, from the TV show "How clean is your house" came to the stall, and after buying some home-made tablet, came back for second helpings..
If anyone has any produce for sale, please let be know.
The stall at the Scourie Bough Tent looked brilliant, a great selection of fresh locally grown vegetables, some superb baking, and a wide range of locally made preserves. Sadly, the stall was poorly attended, and there was much produce left over. Jams sold well, as did some of the home baking, but we had a lot left at the end. (..went down well at the committee meeting the following day!!)
Aggie, from the TV show "How clean is your house" came to the stall, and after buying some home-made tablet, came back for second helpings..
The bough tent event was a success for Am Parabh, with several workshops over the weekend, a great ceilidh on friday night, and interesting filmshows on saturday evening.
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