Kacang Panjang a.k.a Yardlong Bean

So, the picture above is a common sight of the yardlong beans being sold in fresh market in almost around the world. This beans really is quite a popular delicacy in some places such as my hometown which is Taiping.  If you've never eat yard-long green beans, you're missing a real treat. I've been eating them since I was a child and never loathe with it. They are actually among the sweetest and most tender of the bean varieties. You can pick them, wash them, put them in a pot of boiling water and add some seasoning, and 10 minutes later serve them to your family. Yard-long green beans grow from 30 to 36 inches long but are best at about 12 inches. They are also call asparagus green beans or Chinese green beans.

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis is a legume cultivated to be eaten as green pods. It is also known as the yardlong bean, bora, long-podded cowpea, asparagus bean, snake bean, Chinese long bean or Kacang Panjang if it's in Malaysia. Despite common name, the pods are actually only about half a yard long; the subspecies name sesquipedalis (one-and-a-half-foot-long) is a rather exact approximation of the pods' length.

This plant is of a different genus than the common bean. It is a vigorous climbing annual vine. The plant is subtropical/tropical and most widely grown in the warmer parts of South Asia, Southeastern Asia, Malaysia, and Southern China. It prefer hot and humid surroundings but some species can thrive in colder climate yet still sensitive to frost. A variety of the cowpea, it is grown primarily for its strikingly long (35-75 cm) immature pods and has uses very similar to that of the green bean. The many varieties of yardlong beans are usually distinguished by the different colors of their mature seeds. Some are cream colored while others are dark purple like a species that I've plant on my yard on following pictures.

 Wrinkled mature beans which are no longer tasty to eat but suitable to be used as seeds supply. At this stage, you can actually see the seeds inside it when exposed to the sunlight.

Some newly collect 'Kacang panjang' seeds that I don't know exactly which species does it belongs.

Notice the difference between newly picked seeds on the left and dried seeds on the others.

The pods, which can begin to form just 60 days(or less based on climate and soil condition) after sowing, hang in groups of two or more. They are best for vegetable use if picked before they reach full maturity; however, overlooked pods can be used like dry beans in soups. When harvesting, it is important not to pick the buds which are above the beans; since the plant will set many more beans on the same stem. This plant takes longer time to reach maturity than bush beans; but once producing, the beans are quick-growing and daily checking/harvesting is often a necessity. The plants will produce beans until frost in 4 climate zone and continue throughout the year in tropical climate(with intensive care).

Four days after sowing in polystyrene cup.



After about 2 weeks, the plants are well-established and climb rapidly on that blue 'tali rafia'. In this picture, I've actually plant 2 individual plant in each hole for better bean produce.

Approximately 5-6weeks after sowing, I was impressed by the amount of 'kacang panjang' it produces but quite frustrated with pests invasion that happens occasionally(like in that pic).

Uses
The crisp, tender pods are eaten both fresh and cooked. They are at their best when young and slender. They are sometimes cut into short sections for cooking uses. As a West Indian dish it is often stir-fried with potatoes and shrimp. They are used in stir-fries in Chinese cuisine. In Malaysian cuisine they are often stir-fried with chillies and shrimp paste (sambal), used in cooked salads (kerabu) mix in curry dish or cooked in endless variation of recipes. Another popular and healthful option is to chop them into very short sections(like the picture below), then fry them in an omelette. maybe you can eat it raw just like I always did with rice and other side dishes. Sometimes, I prefer to eat it with dippings like budu, cencaluk or sambal belacan to add more flavour to it.

Chopped long beans ready to be cooked.

Nutrition
They are a good source of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, and a very good source for vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and manganese.

In a serving size of 100 grams of yardlong beans there are 47 calories, 0 grams of total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium (0% daily value), 8 grams of total carbohydrates (2% daily value), and 3 grams of protein (5% daily value). There is also 17% DV vitamin A, 2% DV iron, 31% DV vitamin C, and 5% DV calcium. (Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Individual daily values may be higher or lower depending on individual calorie needs.)

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Herbs: Dill

PLANT TYPE: Annual

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anethum graveolens
ZONE / HARDINESS: Annual - not applicable
MATURE PLANT SIZE: Up to 36 inches high x 24 inches wide
LIGHT: Full Sun - Wind Protected Area
FLOWERING PERIOD: July to September
SOIL TYPE: Fairly rich, well-drained, moist soil
pH RANGE: 6.0
KNOWN PESTS: N/A
KNOWN DISEASES: N/A

OVERVIEW:

Dill, a popular annual, has bluish-green stems that contrast with finely divided, yellow-green, plume-like leaves and yellowish flowers. Dill grows about 2 to 3 feet high. 

Both the leaves and seeds of dill are popular for flavoring pickles, sauerkraut, and beet dishes. It can be combined with garlic and pepper to produce a highly flavored Mediterranean or East European roast (often cooked over a spit outdoors). The seeds yield a fragrant oil. 

Plant early in the spring after the danger of frost. Seeds are best sown where they will stay, as dill does not transplant well. Plant 1/4 inch deep about 10 inches apart in a prepared bed. A protected location is best to ensure that the tall stalks are not destroyed by the wind. Enjoys full sun, fairly rich, well-drained, moist soil. In tropical climate however, dill usually grows well in area that is slightly shady. Snip the leaves as needed during the summer and harvest the top half of the plant when the seedheads are beige. Dry in bunches or a bag. Store dried foliage and seeds in an air-tight container. Fresh leaves can be refrigerated for 1 week. Dillweed is easiest to handle when frozen on its stem. When needed, snip some off and return the rest to the freezer. 

Dill Flower

Each flower produce a single seed

Seeds on cut-off flower stalk

Collected seeds ready to be use

PROPAGATION / SOWING:

Direct Seed. Plant 1/4 inch deep about 10 inches apart in a prepared bed. Does not transplant well.

COMPANION PLANTING:

Dill and cabbage plants grow well together. Dill also helps corn, lettuce, onions, and cucumbers. The flowers attract honey bees to the garden. 

CARE & GROWING:

In spring, sow seeds in shallow drills about 10 inches apart in a prepared bed where they will stay. Firm the soil down and water well. Repeat the plantings for a continuous supply of fresh dill leaves. The soft, delicate seedlings do not transplant well and are easily blown over by strong winds. The plants do best in a sunny, sheltered area. 

HARVESTING:

Snip the leaves as needed during the summer and harvest the top half of the plant when the seedheads are beige. Dry in bunches or a bag. Store dried foliage and seeds in an air-tight container. Fresh leaves can be refrigerated for 1 week. Dillweed is easiest to handle when frozen on its stem. When needed, snip some off and return the rest to the freezer.

Dried shredded dill leaves

USAGE:

Very usefull in culinary, decorating, and medicinal. Dill is used in herbal butter and herb vinegars. It can flavor fish, lamb, poultry, cheese, cream, eggs, vegetables, avocados, apples, popcorn, salads, soups, sauces, and spreads. The plant is used to make green dye. The foliage and flowers dry nicely and add an airy touch to plant arrangements. Dill also can be grown in containers with some success.

Cucumber dill dip

Baked salmon with lime dill sauce

Lemon dill potato salad

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

Dill is mostly a culinary herb today, but it does have some value in medicine, mostly as a stomach soother and anti-gas remedy. It is also said to increase mother's milk and help treat breast congestion from nursing. It is mild, and makes a good remedy for colic in babies.

Dill water is used often for relief of the above symptoms, and can be made by adding 8 drops of Oil to 1 pint of water. Take up to 8 teaspoons per day of this concoction. Dill can also be made into a Tea, and sweetened with honey, or prepared as an infusion by steeping 2 teaspoons of seed in 1 cup of water for 10-15 minutes, then straining. Take 1-2 cups per day.

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Celosia Cristata

Dikenali umum sebagai Bunga Balung Ayam bahasa melayu, tumbuhan yang tergolong dalam kumpulan pokok renek ini sangat mudah dijumpai tumbuh meliar di halaman-halaman kampung. Tumbuhan dari genus Celosia ini terbahagi kepada beberapa spesies seperti Celosia Plumosa, Celosia Spicata, Celosia Argentea dan Celosia Virgata. Keunikan pokok renek ini dilihat pada bentuk bunganya yang seakan-akan balung ayam dan juga pada variasi warna bunganya iaitu merah, kuning, jingga, merah jambu serta campuran 2 warna.

Menanam daripada biji benih:

Untuk penanaman Celosia Cristata, biji benihnya bolehlah dikumpulkan daripada bunga yang telah matang. Biji benihnya halus berwarna hitam dan dihasilkan dengan banyak dalam satu bunga oleh pokok induk. Bagi kawasan beriklim panas, benih boleh terus ditanam pada tanah dan bagi beriklim sejuk, perlu ditanam dalam bekas semaian dalam rumah terlebih dahulu. Tanaman Celosia ini mengambil masa selama kira-kira 90 hari untuk berbunga daripada benih ditanam dan memerlukan tanah yang bersuhu tinggi kira-kira 60darjah fahrenheit (16 celsius) atau lebih untuk mudah bercambah.

Biji benih Celosia (zoom-in)

Walaupun bunga balung ayam ini boleh tumbuh dalam kebanyakan jenis tanah (tanah pasir, tanah liat,tanah gambut) adalah lebih digalakkan membuat penanaman benih dalam tanah yang tinggi kandungan bahan organiknya serta yang bersaliran baik untuk hasil terbaik. Lakukan semaian biji benih dengan kedalaman tapak 1/4 inci dalam dan tanah berkeadaan lembap. Ia mengambil masa lebih kurang 11 hinga 14 hari untuk bercambah pada suhu tanah 70darjah fahrenheit (21celsius). Jarak penanaman antara tanaman pula adalah 18inci bagi spesies kecil dan 18-24inci bagi spesies besar. Ketinggian pokok matang adalah dalam lingkungan 10inci hingga 12kaki. Perlu diingat bahawa kawasan penanaman pokok renek ini mestilah sentiasa mendapat sinaran matahari penuh untuk pertumbuhan yang baik dan bunga yang cantik.

Celosia Cristata berwarna kuning

Aneka Warna Celosia Plumosa

Celosia Plumosa

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