Who dares to grow these veggies again? Actually they (almost) grow themselves; all we have to do is sit back and eat! Ulam Raja (Cosmos caudatus) – Our Community in Bloom (CIB) friends in Marine Crescent have a patch started, but this photo is not from there.  Eat it raw with sambal ………..mmmmm.

Ulam Raja (Cosmos caudatus)

Tipu Branda (Eryngium foetidum)

Anyone know what this is called? The Bidayuh people in Sarawak call it Tipu Branda (Eryngium foetidum) which literally means “tastes like white man’s Torch Ginger”.  It is highly fragrant (pungently so) and is used as a garnish for soups.

Limau Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia)

This one is easy – Limau Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia) the leaves are used for taking away the unpleasant “wangi” in animal intestines before they are stewed. The fruits can be used in drinks, ice kachang, hokkien mee.  Dipped in salt, the fruits (raw) cure sore throats.

Changkok Manis (Sauropus androgynus)

Anybody in Singapore still grow Changkok Manis (Sauropus androgynus)? This leaf is sweet & crunchy even when boiled and is supremely popular in Sarawak. Staple food almost (after rice, and of course durian (Durio zibethinus)! 

How many of you have weeded padi (Oryza sativa)? It is back breaking, as my father is demonstrating. If not done properly, the weeds will choke the padi, and the crop will be less. That is why flooding is a blessing – it kills all the weeds, but not the padi. Can you spot the Jagong (Zea mays) in the backgound – it will be harvested before the real floods.

Padi field

Chili Padi (Capiscum frutescens) – not for the faint-hearted. But for the Bidayuh – staple food, the leaves too, for soup

Chili Padi (Capiscum frutescens)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is grown everywhere in the Kampong. The leaves can be used for soup too.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Guava (Psidium guajava) and Tiyung (Bidayuh), Terong (Malay) Solanum melongena are grown for “Sayur” too. “Wrapping Guava fruits is even more back-breaking than weeding padi” - my sister.

Guava (Psidium guajava)

And so the harvest is gathered from the garden – young Corn, mushrooms, guava, papaya, “Berak Badad” or Pisang Raja (Musa sp.), Changkok Manis, rice, Chili leaves, young Fern leaves called Puchok Paku, Cucumber leaves (for soup), and sugar cane. This just goes on and on. Wow………what a meal.

My harvest!

How many can you grow in Singapore? Who wants to take up the ultimate CIB challenge?

By: Joanna Josali anak Satom