The ochro plant is valued for its edible green seed pods and is an essential ingredient in your callalloo and cornmeal coucou. The ‘Ochro White’ variety can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and will bear for 12 weeks after planting. The ‘Puerto Rican Dwarf’ variety is quite small and only grows up to 0.6 metres. It can usually be harvested 6 weeks after planting. Plants grow well throughout the year in well-drained soils and full sunlight.
Sorrel is native to West Africa, but is also found in India where it is locally called Chukai. The young shoots and leaves are eaten either raw or as a cooked vegetable while the swollen calyces of the flowers are used in the preparation of beverages, preserves and jellies. Bast fibre can also be collected from the stem and utilized to make rope, yarn and/or textiles.
Pumpkin is a very versatile as all parts of the plant can be utilized for food. The fruit is used both fresh and processed. It can be baked, steam, boiled and processed into a powder for use in drinks and soups. The leaves and flowers are cooked and eaten and even the seeds are roasted and consumed. Pumpkins constitute a good source of vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B and C.
Please be advised some images used on the Ministry’s product catalogue pages represent what the product purchased will look like when it reaches a more mature stage and is not what you will receive when purchasing. All plants are sold on an ‘As Is’ basis.
