Sunday, August 16, 2009

VEGETABLES PLAYING GOOSEBERRY

There was an article in a broadsheet newspaper, on a U.K. public figure being shown as gardening vegetables in harsh climates. It was accompanied by large headlines and big pictures.

I looked at the depicted leaves and branches; question marks flashed into my thoughts, something wasn't quite as it should be.

"What leaves are those?".......

"Gooseberry bush leaves"......

10 comments:

TG said...

I have to admit, I don't get the point of this. Mind telling me? >_<

ZACL said...

I should be delighted to enlighten you.

1. The big bold newspaper heading (in The Times)indicated that a public figure in the UK did his vegetable growing in his garden in an area of the UK where the climate is very hard, very cold,(harsh), where it is difficult to grow things. In the area where this guy lives, you can grow root vegetables like carrots, rutabaggas (swede in the UK), onions, potatoes and cabbages.

2. The double page spread picture, showed this guy, with a happily fruiting, gooseberry fruit bush (not a vegetable).

The headline and the picture did not match, it was absurd, it was ridiculous. One can only assume what level of knowledge the reporter and editor had about the differences between fruit and vegetables. (Not much!)

TG said...

hahaha... I see... now I understand. I am not so familiar with every English vegetable/fruit name. Well, that is ridiculous :)

ZACL said...

Pleased to help. A Gooseberry is green, about the size of a grape, but it has a slightly rough skin with what feel like little hairs. The whole fruit is okay to eat when ripe, though rather sharp if not quite ready. Gooseberries make good jam, if they are picked a little too soon.

TG said...

Oh, I remember now this fruit. I think we have it on our garden. It's called 'kosmulja' [co-smool-ya] in Slovenian. I usually don't eat it.

ZACL said...

If you google 'gooseberry' or 'kosmulja', you may find a picture of it.

The fruit is very edible and full of vitamins. If not made into a compote (jam/preserve) then wait for the the fruit to look a little swollen, turn a very slight red colour - not all over - and not too soft, it is sweet then. I have always like eating this fruit, when in season.

Anonymous said...

well spotted, for although i try my best at being green-fingered i'd be hopeless at spotting gooseberry leaves...i'd be ok with parsnips, carrots or potatoes because i grow plenty of those!

ZACL said...

With the fruit full in your face, it wasn't difficult to see what the fruit bush was; it would have been pretty clear that the kinds of veggies that grow in the subjects area, would not have looked like a soft and gentle leafy bush.

I think the expostulation "Bah, humbug" would not go amiss here. :)

Anonymous said...

or possibly even, "Bah, goosgog!" :)

ZACL said...

That's very amusing and so apt. :))