Purple Top Carrots: The Political Vegetable Returns
These striking purple-skinned carrots with orange cores were common before the 17th century, when orange varieties became popular for political reasons. Their intense color comes from anthocyanins, the same compounds found in blueberries. Beyond the novelty, they’re notably sweeter than orange carrots after a light frost.
What makes these carrots particularly appealing to modern growers is their adaptability. Unlike modern carrots bred for uniform shape, these heirlooms will fork around obstacles, creating some interesting harvest-time surprises. Their anthocyanin content provides additional antioxidant benefits that health-conscious consumers actively seek.
Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans: Living History
This heirloom pole bean was carried by the Cherokee Indians along the Trail of Tears. It has a purple striped pod with shiny black seeds. The variety represents more than agricultural diversity – it embodies cultural preservation and resilience.
These beans thrive in diverse growing conditions and offer superior protein content compared to many modern varieties. Their climbing nature makes them perfect for small space gardens, while their striking appearance adds visual interest to any plot. The beans maintain their vibrant coloring even after cooking, making them popular with chefs seeking unique presentations.
Jerusalem Artichokes: The Forgotten Superfood
Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus L., is a tuber-bearing type of Compositae. The underground tubers can be oblong or extremely elongated and typically weigh 30-90 gm, with larger specimens reaching 80–120 gm. This plant is native to North America. These knobby tubers fell from favor due to their unusual appearance, but they’re making a strong comeback.
Their popularity stems from exceptional nutritional benefits, particularly high inulin content that supports digestive health. They grow with minimal care, tolerating poor soils where other crops struggle. Many growers appreciate their perennial nature – plant once, harvest for years.
Celeriac: The Ugly Duckling’s Moment
The best celeriac varieties will reduce pithiness and maintain a solid heart. The plants don’t face many pests or diseases if properly rotated with other crops that are not in the parsley family. Best of all, these roots add diversity to your winter storage brigade.
This gnarly root vegetable offers incredible storage capabilities. With proper harvest, these roots can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-4 months. Its celery-like flavor makes it perfect for soups and gratins, while its keeping quality addresses food security concerns many households face.
Glass Gem Corn: The Rainbow Revelation
This multicolored corn variety creates kernels that look like stained glass windows. Originally developed by a Cherokee farmer, it represents the incredible genetic diversity present in heritage corn varieties. Each ear displays a unique combination of colors – deep blues, vibrant reds, golden yellows, and pristine whites.
Beyond its stunning appearance, Glass Gem corn offers superior nutritional content compared to modern sweet corn varieties. It contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins responsible for the blue and red hues. The corn can be ground into colorful flour or popped for gourmet popcorn.
Dragon Tongue Beans: The Flame-Colored Marvel
These striking bush beans produce cream-colored pods with vivid purple streaks that resemble flames or dragon tongues. The visual appeal makes them popular at farmers markets, while their tender texture and sweet flavor win over home cooks. Unlike many specialty varieties, Dragon Tongue beans are incredibly productive.
They mature quickly, often producing harvest-ready pods within sixty days of planting. The beans lose their distinctive coloring when cooked but retain excellent flavor and texture. Their compact bush habit makes them ideal for container growing or small space gardens.
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes: Depression-Era Giants
In the 1940s, a radiator repairman bred these massive tomatoes and sold the plants for $1 each – eventually making enough to pay off his mortgage. The pink-red fruits can weigh up to two pounds each. This variety represents American ingenuity and the potential for small-scale agricultural entrepreneurship.
Their enormous size makes them perfect for slicing, while their balanced sweet-tart flavor appeals to modern palates. These tomatoes produce consistently throughout the growing season, offering reliable yields even in challenging weather conditions. Their thick flesh makes them excellent for canning and preserving.
Russian Banana Fingerling Potatoes: The Crescent Gems
Russian Banana is a fingerling potato with yellow flesh and a waxy texture. It may be finger sized or the size of a banana. These crescent-shaped potatoes offer superior flavor and texture compared to conventional varieties, with a buttery, almost nutty taste.
Their waxy texture makes them perfect for boiling, roasting, or grilling without falling apart. The distinctive shape and golden color make them popular with restaurants and home cooks seeking visual impact. They store well and maintain their texture throughout long storage periods.
Cushaw Green-Striped Squash: The Survival Specialist
Cushaw Green-Striped produces good-sized, white fruits with green stripes and long, curved necks. It is good for pies and baking. Plants are drought tolerant and the fruit stores well. This Native American variety demonstrates remarkable resilience in challenging growing conditions.
Their drought tolerance makes them increasingly valuable as climate change affects traditional growing regions. The long curved necks distinguish them from typical squash varieties, while their excellent keeping quality provides food security through winter months. Their mild, sweet flavor works well in both sweet and savory preparations.
Lemon Cucumbers: The Victorian Garden Favorite
These round, yellow cucumbers resemble lemons but offer the crisp, refreshing taste of traditional cucumbers. Popular in Victorian gardens, they nearly disappeared from cultivation but are experiencing renewed interest. Their unique appearance makes them conversation starters at farmers markets and in home gardens.
Lemon cucumbers are incredibly productive, often outperforming traditional slicing varieties. They resist common cucumber diseases better than many modern hybrids, making them easier to grow organically. Their tender skin eliminates the need for peeling, while their compact size makes them perfect for pickling or fresh eating.
