I noticed the dreaded red blight on my broad beans (planted on Anzac Day, as always) a week ago and this afternoon, after just two meals from these plants, so today I pulled them out. Usually red blight arrives later in the season but I guess the mild July and August made it happen earlier. Cold temperatures at certain times is good for the garden. Kills off the bugs.
I remember a friend, Rona Bailey, who was at one stage of her life, a card-carrying communist saying there was a slogan amongst the general population in the 1950s, probably started by the McCarthy witch hunts in USA during those times – Better Dead than Red. So when I sent her a postcard about helping Pahutukawa survive along the coast, which read, Better Red than Dead, she was very amused and asked if I could get her some more. These postcards were free so I went back and got a handful and she spent an hour or two happily sending them to her old comrades.
However, as far as Red Blight on broad beans is concerned, better dead than red, is my motto.
The best way to cook these delicious young beans? Pod them, and fry gently in butter for about a minute – sprinkle just a little parsley over the top. if you like that – I prefer just the beans and a little salt.
I’m sorry I won’t be having any more of this delicious vegetable but gardeners have to be philosophical – at least I got two meals out of the crop.
