BEANS

Cherokee Trail of Tears: An astonishing black bean that arrived at the hallowed ground of Waldingfield Farm after many moons of travel. Cold and hungry, this delicious and unusual bean promised peace and prosperity for the sympathetic crew of the farm. We in turn assured them that they had in fact come home.

Dragons Tongue: A beautiful Dutch wax bean from medieval lore. Such an aggressive name implies a wicked temperament, but alas we at Waldingfield have discovered this cream-colored, purple-striped bean to be a treat to be around and enjoy.

Ireland Creek Annie: This yellowish bush bean of Irish descent left the Wild West show of Buffalo Bill and began her quest for a home in the Litchfield Hills. After many rejections and near-deals of home ownership, she stumbled onto the back forty of Waldingfield Farm where she encountered such a resounding welcome that she decided to stay. The management did however seize all of her guns and contraband.

Kentucky Wonder Pole: No, this is not a horse in the Derby. A luscious green bean with tremendous character, his endurance and tenacity in the fields has inspired even the most hardened agricultural veteran. Truly a remarkable heirloom variety that we hope will set numerous production records at Waldingfield Farm.

Provider: An excellent green bean, perfect for summer consumption. Green beans were a staple diet during the black plague in the 14th century, and kept much of Europe alive until the darkness lifted.

Rocdor: The prototypical yellow wax bean. Very delicious and nutritious. Waldingfield has long championed the use of yellow wax beans in the diet. An All-Waldingfield performer since 1998.

Royalty Purple: A descendant of King John I, he fortunately has none of the irascible personality of his villainous forefather. Purple beans will increase your vertical leap and is the official purple bean of the NewYork Knicks.

BEETS: beta vulgaris

Bulls Blood: The juice from this beet is used to make the only red food coloring by Swedish law. That really is true. Would you also believe that we use it to stain our big red barns of Waldingfield? Whatever the case may be, we love this delicious and tasty beet of yesteryear.

Burpees Golden Beet: Chefs clamor for this elusive golden colored beet. Not a bleeder like many of his distant cousins, this beet should rise to the top of the Waldingfield most-wanted list. Big sellers at farmers markets.

Chiogga: Ah, the elusive candy striped beet. Very hard to get this particular seed, so we hold our collective breaths every spring and hope that we can secure its place on the Waldingfield roster.

Detroit Dark Red: Oh baby. We had to think long and hard about allowing this former gang leader on the property. Big and globe-shaped, Detroit (DD to his close friends) assured us that his banging days were behind him and that he was determined to be a team player. Under close supervision and curfew, DD will prove us all wrong and finally institute a renewed faith in the powers of rehabilitation.

Golden: Cortes and his conquistador cronies were searching for the elusive “golden” during their treks throughout the great southwest. The prize, however, proved to be too elusive for them and they skulked back all the way to Madrid, where they were forced to endure the ridicule of the royal court. A great beet.

Early Wonder Tall Tops: Do you like beets? Do you? Well, get ready for these deep burgundy baseball-sized beets that are sure to tantalize your palate and send you into euphoric spasms. Well, maybe not.

BROCCOLI: Brassica oleracea (italica group)

Saga: The only broccoli that is served at the Bush family reunions. George the elder vowed to never eat broccoli, but we managed to slip by the secret service and force feed the old guy some of our world-famous broccoli. We are glad to say that we are endorsed by the Royal family. Just kidding.

Arcadia: Our fall selection, and recently named to the menus of restaurants all over Connecticut at the urging of the Waldingfield hierarchy. Everyone should really try broccoli and revel in its regenerative powers. High in vitamins.

Availability: The Fall is when Waldingfield has the largest crop, but we do have a Spring session.

BROCCOLI RAAB: brassica rapa (ruvo group)

Spring Raab: One of the true mysteries of the garden world, raab has risen to the pinnacle of the culinary world with the bravado and gusto of a seasoned coliseum gladiator.

Availability: The Spring and Fall. Hates hot weather.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS: brassica oleracea (gemmifera group)

Oliver: Abandoned and left on the outskirts of Waldingfield, Oliver has grown up among the other vegetables with a sense of real belonging and importance. The one time he asked for more porridge, however, the cruel field generals took him to the far away oak tree, where he stayed for several days bound by tomato twine. Oliver learned his lesson and remains to this day a valuable contributor to the farm.

Availability: starting in late-October is when we begin to harvest these beauties.

CABBAGE: brassica oleracea (capitata group)

Columbia: This cabbage actually went to Harvard, and the ironic thing is that this cabbage head is green.

Regal Red: Bright purplish-red colored leaves add numerous possibilities in the kitchen.

Availability: Usually mid-October

CARROTS: daucus carota subsp. sativus

Dragon: Did Peter, Paul, and Mary sing about this one? Truly a unique looking carrot, Dragon and his purple skin attract wild crowds and need big-time security at farmers market. It is only when they find out that his flesh is yellowish-orange that the riots begin.

Navajo: Fleeing persecution in the Southwest from maniacal U.S. soldiers, this incredible carrot has long been a favorite of the more liberal leaders of Waldingfield Farm. We love the Native Americans, but enough with the casinos already. Very sweet tasting and an All-Waldingfield performer.

St.Valery: Waldingfield is enamored of this French Resistance hero. A legend in the fight against tyranny and bad-taste, St.Valery has proved his mettle countless times and we expect him to lead the resurgence against giant monopolistic seed companies that produce tasteless products. Join the revolution!!!!

Sugarsnax 54: Discovered in the famous disco in NYC, this tremendous carrot shakes and boogies his way into the hearts and souls of Waldingfield supporters the world over with an out of this world taste.

Availability: Beginning in July

CAULIFLOWER: brassica oleracea (botrytis group)

Fremont: An early, dependable production variety that has proved to be a crowd favorite in test trials around the globe and especially in New England.

Snow Crown: Cauliflower was an experiment for us last year, and it wasn’t long before we were feeling like Dr. Frankenstein. We had created a monster! Demand hit the roof, and the villagers stormed the property looking for the source.

Availability: Mid-October thru November

COLLARDS: brassica oleracea

Champion: An All-South player before a seven player deal in 1995 brought him to unfamiliar waters in the Northeast. Rarely performs until fall, but usually stuns the crowd with bursts of flavor rarely seen in these parts, and is quickly becoming a fan favorite.

Availability: Mid to late Fall

CORN: zea mays

Silver Queen: The true standard. White summer sweet corn is the perfect meal in August and September, when it is traditionally available. Every farm should grow some corn, and watch out for the raccoons.

Availability: Mid-August

CUCUMBERS: cucumis sativus
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True Lemon: A tremendous star on the late 19th century American baseball scene, Ol’ True serves it up with the best of ‘em. He goes down smooth and is easy to digest, like a fine sippin’ whiskey.

White Wonder: Century old whitish cucumber. Although wickedly popular with the general public, “Whitey” has had to endure harsh hazing rituals by the other cucumbers, no doubt envious of his appearance. We at the Farm quickly stepped in and traded the clubhouse troublemakers, and encouraged “Whitey” to express himself and live his life his way. We know you will like him, too.

Mexican Sour gherkin: Precious old heirloom variety that fought his way out of the Alamo disaster and disappeared from mainstream America for much of the last century. One might think that a veteran of the Alamo might not have anything left in him, being that he’d be 180 years old, but the reinvigorating streams of Waldingfield Farm have put a new lease on this old farmhand. Very similar to a small watermelon in appearance.

Availability: early July

EGGPLANT:

Applegreen: Cute strain of eggplant that is sure to be winner here at Waldingfield Farm. Introduced in the 1960s, this oval-shaped pale green skinned garden hero has been succeeding every year in getting people to try eggplant again- for the first time.

Black Bell: Black is beautiful. Dynamic fruits lend a wonderful addition to the late summer/fall harvest, and has also been an All-Waldingfield performer three out of her four years on the fields of Waldingfield.

Casper: Our local friendly ghost at Waldingfield Farm. Not traditionally on many menus herein America, Casper is trying to ingratiate himself into the hearts and minds of the general public.

Elondo: This young Italian arrives at Waldingfield with a tremendous reputation as a dead pull hitter. Can he hit the curve and the major league junk? We will let you know.

Neon: Purple headed lead bassist for the punk-rock band The Sex Pistols, Neon had a falling out with Sid Vicious before his tragic end and found refuge in the hallowed halls of the Waldingfield Farm deluxe barn/concert hall, where he is encouraged to play as long and loud as he wants.

Rosita: This Puerto-Rican bombshell came to us after we rescued her from Guantanamo where she had been held on trumped-up espionage charges. You would have a problem as well if your government were exploding dangerous test bombs near you and your family, right?

Thai green: No, this is not a new strain of sinsemillia. On the contrary, this prolific variety offers beautiful, long slender fruits that don’t require peeling. He has experienced little difficulty in gaining a foothold in the Waldingfield Farm garden planner for this summer.

Udumalapet: An early All-Waldingfield 2004 selection. We are positive that you will jump up and down with unbridled ecstasy upon seeing and then eating this extremely colorful yellowish-purple variety. Hey, can you say it three times fast?

SALAD GREENS -- one of our trademarks

Arugula: Possibly the most popular item on the Waldingfield menu, arugula quite simply rocks the house.

Mustard Greens: Volcanic greens that have established a following during the 1990s here at the Farm.

Asian Greens: A large choice of exotic greens from the Far East, including mizuna, pac choi, tatsoi, and more. Great for steaming and stir-frying, these greens were used as fuel for jet-propulsion packs during the invasion of Normandy and gave our boys a real energy boost during a most critical time.

Waldingfield Mix: A terrific blend of six different lettuces, the mix has been a godsend for us and everyone involved with the farm. Hope for good results from our various trials throughout the year.

ASIAN GREENS: the health benefits speak for themselves.

Don’t take our word for it. Read about asian greens!

TATSOI: Very nice dark green mini-oval shaped leaf. Try it.

MIZUNA: One of the favorites here at Waldingfield. Light mustard.

MUSTARDS: The "green wave" sweeps people away with its strength.

PAC CHOI: Bow to the master. Everyone realizes what’s up with the choi.

Availability: salad greens are always ready, from late May to November

KALE: brassica oleracea

Red Russian: Thankfully cleared of ridiculous espionage charges late in winter 2001, Red returns to the vaunted fields of Waldingfield Farm as the leader in overall nutrition. Some people are intimidated by Red, but the language barrier is diminishing as his English improves.

Availability: Mid to late Fall

KOHLRABI: brassica oleracea (gongylodes group)

WINNER: I now pronounce you the winner, or more appropriately, the lo-oo-ser. Seize him! Whoops, sorry about that. Robin Hood flashback. This kohlrabi rocks.

Availability: Fall

LEEKS: allium porrum

King Richard: A good, headless, horse-less leek. My kingdom for a tasty leek. Kicked out of England, Rich joins Waldingfield Farm as our resident ruler in exile.

Availability: Starting in late July

LETTUCES: lactuca sativa

Editors Note: Lettuce heads are available in Spring and Fall.

Waldmann Green: frilly green leaf loaded with flavor.

Black seeded Simpson: Bart’s brother (not in the show) is light and nice and tasty.

Red sails: Brought over in Viking ships by Eric the Red, it has remained a staple here at the Farm.

Green oakleaf: Beautiful leaves and superb flavor, eaten by the cast of Ally McBeal.

Red oak cocarde: Gerard Depardieau has warned of its seductive powers, especially in late spring.

Sierra: Like its French sister, sierra comes to the table with much ballyhoo and promise.

Rosalita: Jump a little higher. Senorita stand stand by my side. Did you get the reference?

Nancy: Sid and… well maybe she’s more behaved than that. Great texture.

Ermosa: A summer Boston butter head that is wildly popular here at the Farm.

Mikola: Red butter lettuce. Mikola is a big fan of the Mikado.

MELONS: cucumis melo

Athena: The goddess of wisdom and the arts returns for her annual three month lecture tour at Waldingfield University. Much hype about her abilities made her wildly anticipated in 1998, and she did not disappoint. The fields of the Farm are filled with converts camping out waiting for the next appearance. Reminds people of the Grateful Dead hysteria of the early 1990s before Jerry’s passing.

Bidwell Casaba: Probably the biggest melon you will ever see!!! You won’t believe the sheer size. The only variety of vegetable with a United States Senate heritage, as it was procured from Senator Bidwell (Ca.1860s) out in California. This year, our melon crop will work, by golly, or I will walk to California and back as punishment.
Early Silverline: This unique whitish flesh has been hailed by critics throughout the world as nothing short of astonishing. We think you’ll agree. The Gold Rush of 1849 had nothing on this melon-sheer madness!

Availability: August

PEPPERS:

Ancho Gigantea: This standard Mexican variety has two colors-one for before it is cooked and one for after. Used to run with an infamous early 20th century Mexican villain, but had to drop the first letter of his name because the leader of the gang couldn’t stomach anyone else having his surname.

Aurora: A beautiful ornamental pepper mix that is sure to amaze and astound even the most jaded gardener. Some say it’s not from this world. You be the judge.

Bulgarian Carrot: The Eastern Bloc weightlifting champion has endured years of suspicion due to his unusual yellowish appearance. He categorically denies any steroid usage and frankly, we believe him.

Buran: What? We don’t even know how to say this variety, but we do know that this Polish-born exile has endeared himself to the soil of Waldingfield Farm. This one is so sweet that we have to keep the nieces and nephews from overdosing.

Fatali: Probably the hottest pepper we grow here at Waldingfield Farm. Painters use it as a thinner, and people have been known to use it as a substitute for petrol. We caution the general public.

Cyklon: An astonishingly pink pepper that has been an All-Waldingfield performer in years past. A long stay on the disabled list has many wondering if Cyklon has what it takes to resurface as a leader in the community. We think he still has the heat.

Habanero: Of Caribbean descent, this pepper is too hot. We don’t even know why we sell it. Scalding. You have to be pure Aztec to eat this #$@!#$.

Fish: An African-American heirloom that has traditional southern roots. We never have had a seed variety with and animal name.

Georgia Flame: Gorgeous Russian heirloom hand-delivered to Waldingfield by Stalin himself. His stay, however, was very brief as we kicked the known megalomaniac back to his frozen tundra, where he wallowed his final days away cursing the leaders of Litchfield county’s finest organic farm.

Islander: O island in the sun, come to me with all your fun….showy sunset colors that are sure to delight.

Labrador: Nice yellow bell pepper with ties to the Canadian mob. You will definitely like these beauties.

X3R Red Knight: Double secret agent for the USDA, knight is new to the scene at Waldingfield. He will be watched, believe me, as would anyone whose name sounds like a nuclear missile and could be a possible communist. Our calls to Joe McCarthy’s office have gone un-returned.

Availability: Fall

PEAS: Pisum sativa

Sugarsnap: The only All-Waldingfield selection every year since the Farm’s inception in 1990. Classic and traditional, it is everything that early summer gardens are about - crisp, fresh, sweet, and delicious. Every year we plant thousands of miles of peas and supply much of the free world with their peas.

Availability: June

POTATOES: solanum tuberosum

Russian Banana: We have so many Eastern bloc items that one might think we were sympathizers. This one is the real deal, and we intend to have a lot of them. Do they have bananas in Russia?
All-Blue: Wonderful little purple spuds with a blue interior that have impressed the judges at the annual Waldingfield Farm taste fair, and we know that you will enjoy them as well.
Cranberry Red: Sister to All-Blue, although the adoption process has never been discussed with the family, this reddish interior spud has been linked to great taste throughout the world.Superior: Everything is true about this new addition to the Waldingfield family. Found deep under the waters of the great lakes inside a sunken logging vessel, Superior should prove to be everything it’s cracked up to be.

Availability: Beginning in mid-July

PUMPKINS: cucurbita pepo

Baby Bear: A charming little pumpkin that it is sure to be a hit with the kids and everyone else for that matter. Perfect for molotov cocktail raids on your neighbor.
Availability: traditionally mid-October thru early November.

RADISH:

China Rose: A long 6”-8” beautiful radish that will spark more riots than the Red Scare of 1920. Radishes have long had a secure spot in the gardens here at the farm due to their early appearance. We have also warned Rose not to follow in the footsteps of her infamous cousin, China White. She assured us there would be no problem.

Rat-Tailed Radish: A sinister fugitive from the Pied Piper death march. He was promised asylum, for some reason unbeknownst to us, by the soil gods of Waldingfield farm. (Ed. Note: this group’s decisions are final and never questioned).

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SPINACH: spinacia oleracea

Indian summer: One of the first things available to our customers in the early season of mid-May and early June. If you listen very carefully in the fields, you can hear the drums of the war dance.
Springer: Marvelous semi-savoy type inspired by our favorite 1990s showman, Jerry Springer, and guaranteed to be an unforgettable eating experience.

Availability: late May thru mid June

SUMMER SQUASH: cucurbita pepo

CONDOR: Deep green zucchini. Coming back from extinction.

GOLD RUSH: Fabulously yellow zucchini. This was very popular last year.

Availability: mid July thru early September

SWISS CHARD: beta vulgaris, cicia group

Fordhook Giant: The bright green tall stalks of this chard will stand at attention in your kitchen.
Ruby Red: The favorite green of the wicked witch of the East. She had such a fondness for swiss chard that she boiled up a cauldron of this strain and dropped in her red shoes. After an extensive swing on the vaudeville circuit as a showgirl, she was forced to retire because of bad ankles. Later in life, she moonlighted in a small hamlet near Oz until her unfortunate showdown with a Kansas house

Availability: from late June to mid November

TOMATOES: lycopersicon esculentum

This crop is a major focus for Waldingfield Farm. Quite frankly, it is what has made us famous. If you can believe it, there was a time that we thought no one would want field grown, fresh tomatoes with tremendous flavor and as many colors as a magic marker set. There was a year when we didn’t grow them. But that was then. This is now. The largest selection of certified organic tomatoes that we know of in New England.

Red rocket	Bull’s heart
Bush celebrity	Russian 117
bush beefsteak	Palestinian
Daybreak	Oxheart
Early cascade	Believe it or not
Fireworks	Brandywine
Oregon spring	Caspian pink
Gregori’s Altai	German johnson
Polar baby	Goliath
Prairie fire	Omar’s lebanese
Siletz	Pruden’s purple
Super chief	1884 Zogola
Abraham Lincoln	Sandul moldovan
Ball’s beefsteak	Opalka (sauce)
Big boy	Tuscanny
bulgarian #7	Sweet 100
Campbell 1327	Hillbilly
Celebrity	Mortgage lifter (bicolor)
Champion	Pineapple
Costoloto fiorentino	Blue fruit
Costoluto genovese	Black from tula
Creole	purple calabash
First prize	green zebra
Hawaiian	Evergreen
Heatwave	Amana orange
Hilltop	Orange strawberry
Homesweet	Sun gold
Jet star	Valencia
Lisa king	Persimmon
Long keeper	White beauty
Peron	White queen
Pink girl	Great white
Russian rose	Lemon boy
Sioux	Garden peach
Thessalonski	Yellow brandywine (platfoot strain)
Box car willie	Yellow currant
Dad’s mug	Zapotec pink ribbed
Druzba	German red strawberry

Availability: starting in early August and continuing into mid-October or heavy frost

ZUCCHINI:

Gold Rush: The Yukon craze in the 1840s had nothing on this exquisite golden yellow fruit. Grown men have made irrational decisions and leapt into the great beyond whilst in the company of this addiction.
Raven: Edgar Allen Poe would have wept with pride knowing that his most famous work has been tied to possibly the world’s finest green zucchini. Most are cut when they are 8-10 inches long.

WINTER SQUASH: cucurbita species

Australian Butter: Big, beautiful, and bold! Aussies get a bad rap for their loutish behavior throughout the world, but this one has been nothing short of an angel for us. Very heavy, used as cannonballs when the iron ran out in the Solomon Islands in WWII.

Buttercup: Northern New England specialty that is attractive to everyone.

Cream of the Crop: White acorn. Need I say more?

Delicata: Unique long squash with vertical green stripes that has always been popular here.

Fordhook Acorn: Outstanding speed and versatility on this lad from the Midwest. Led the nation in number of children converted to squash eating, and many mothers are very appreciative.

Guatemala Blue Banana: “I see Blue…. He looks fabulous!” hey baby, did you think you wouldn’t get one reference the whole menu? C’mon dawg. Prize-winning heirloom seed from us to you.

Iran: We love our Muslim brothers and continue to support any efforts to spread peace and harmony throughout the world. These grow up to 25 lbs.

Kikuza: big-time heirloom seed from San Francisco where he set numerous records in the Pacific Coast League. Kikuza has made a smooth transition to the fields of Waldingfield and has even taught us some Japanese.

Queensland Blue: “Nice accent. New Jersey?” Some people are a little slow in recognizing the intense flavors and texture of this Aussie native, but we often seek out the cold, huddled masses to shelter and nurse back to health.

Sweet Dumpling: Small, round fruits that are good for single-serving with something inside.

Blue Hubbard: Escaped from Mother Hubbard’s cupboard and into the waiting arms of Waldingfield.

Tennessee Sweet Potato: Very old winter squash variety dating back to 1837 and new to Waldingfield Farm this year.

Tuffy: Silly name, but sweet taste will make converts of all doubting thomases. Black acorn type.

Turks Turban: What’s an organic farm without a little controversy? Others wanted Turk to remove his turban, but the leadership of Waldingfield Farm adamantly said no. We do not want anyone to have to do anything against their will. Besides, he’s the most colorful winter squash we got.