August 04, 2020 · By Monisha Dajee

THE ALCHEMIST GARDEN - AUGUST

MAD APPLE

Our aubergine flowers are opening everyday.They are captivating. I know they are really late, but they had a slow start. However, there will be reward through our patience and I look forward to the many aubergines/eggplants/brinjal/baingan (whatever you want to call them) soon to come.

When the aubergine was not being compared to the shape of an egg, the eggplant was sometimes referred to as a "mad apple". This is most likely because it is part of nightshade family which has long been known to include many highly toxic plants such as the well known 'Bella Donna'. People were led to believe that by consuming an eggplant, you would go mad. The tomato and potato are also members of the nightshade family, and were also initially viewed with suspicion when they were introduced to Europe. In Italian, the eggplant is a melanzana, from the Latin mala insana, or "apple of insanity."

ECHINOPS RITRO

So many globe thistles opening up in our wall of wildflowers.

The bees are very happy.

LUNCH

Everyday new leaves unravel, flowers open and fruits ripen. I'm overjoyed as I ponder around the beds, snipping a few bits here and there, gaining inspiration as to what to cook that day and incorporate into our meal.

Having worked abroad for the past few years, I have been back home in London for nearly 5 months. Of late, I feel that the garden and I have settled into a gentle rhythm.

Today we harvested -

Cavolo Nero Kale, curly kale, courgettini, Thai basil, coriander flowers and mint flowers.

Sam made an amazing flavourful Thai dish called Pad Kra Pao with these beautiful, lovingly homegrown ingredients.

For the first time in many years, our Thai basil has flourished. It's an intensely flavourful herb, but also very sensitive and delicate in our UK weather.

The mint we used afterwards for a simple digestive tea.

Moni Dajee, founder of The London Alchemists - artist, creator, explorer, beekeeper and avid practitioner of natural alchemy.

PEOPLE planet pollinators

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