Written by editor | 03 August 2011

Hayes Valley Farm explores perennial food crops like tree kale and experiments with Andean crops as well:chilacayote squash (a.k.a. malabar gourd), oca, pepino dulce, cape gooseberry, mashua fall are some of the crops we are especially excited about. Because the Andes has a similar climate to San Francisco – dry, temperate summers, wet winters – these crops do quite well. The chilacayote squash has taken off and covers half of the north east slope. Massive fruits are beginning to emerge and the squash tops, the new growth that emerges from the plant, is a delicacy in itself. Squash tops are especially beloved by the community that benefits from the Project Open Hand harvest. 

Growing underneath the chilacayote and benefitting from the shade it provides, is the oca. Oca makes an edible tuber that is crisp like an apple and more delicious than a potato. The pepino dulce is a perennial pepper plant that produces a tart fruit that tastes like a cross between a cucumber and a melon. Most farmers beeline straight for the cape gooseberry once through the gate; it never stays on the vine! This member of the tomatoe family looks like a tomatillo, but tastes like a combination of rasberry and cocunut. Delicious! This fall we plan to have a small recipe book. Stay tuned for a cape gooseberry and pepino dulce salsa!

Come by on a volunteer day and test your plant ID skills!

Visit Hayes Valley Farm

Photo by mr.donb, September 26, 2010