Growing Green Leafy Vegetables is Easy …and Fun!

by Dr. Lois Englberger

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the lack of vegetables in the markets and supermarkets in Pohnpei. Yet, there are some vegetables, like those listed below, that very easy to grow and can also provide needed exercise and fun!!

• Kangkong
• Brazilian spinach
• Pele
• Chaya
• Sweet potato tops
• Taro leaves (Colocasia, sawa)

All of these are easily grown by cuttings, so all you need are the cuttings to get new plants started. If you leave the cuttings for a day or so in some water, they will grow small roots and are easier to get started growing. Once they have been established, they grow on their own, with very little need for attention, except occasional weeding. If you need planting material, contact Pohnpei Agriculture at 320-2400 or the College of Micronesia-FSM Land Grant at 320-5731.

Remember some of the basic gardening tips:

• Select a good place for your vegetables; the best is close to your house where you can watch them closely and care for them daily.
• Loosen the soil, removing sticks and stones.
• Mark the area to protect from dogs and people.
• Harvest your greens regularly and while the greens are still young so that leaves are fresh and tender.

These greens are eaten cooked, and can be prepared in similar ways, like adding to soups (including ramen!). For kangkong and sweet potato tops, the stems can be chopped and eaten as well as the young leaves. For Brazilian spinach, the leaves can be stripped from the stem and sorted to select those that are high quality. Pele and chaya can grow very large leaves, but these become tough when they are old. Watch your plants closely and harvest while leaves are still young for the best taste. If you like, try this recipe!!

Stir-fried Spinach and Tuna

• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 onion
• 1 tablespoon of oil for stir-frying
• 1 small tuna fish, cleaned, skinned, cut in small pieces (canned tuna/mackerel is also good)
• 2 cups of washed and sorted spinach leaves
• 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 chopped chilli pepper or a dash of black pepper

1. Peel garlic and onion and cut into small pieces.

2. Stir-fry in oil for about a minute, add fish and cook 2 minutes.

3. Add spinach leaves; cover the cooking pot or skillet with a lid, cook 5 minutes until done.

4. Add soy sauce and some chilli or dash of pepper to taste, and serve!!