A variety of eating apple raised in Amherst County in Virginia by Mr Caleb Ralls some time around 1800. It is thought it might have been a French apple called Genet brought to the United States for Thomas Jefferson, and the name be a corruption of Genet. This late-season variety is harvested from early October and is at its best from January to May.
The wild leek (US: ramps) is a relative of the leek with a pearly white bulb which turns into an almost pink stem and green, lily-of-the-valley shaped leaves. They have a fierce flavour when raw which is softened and sweetened by blanching. They have a powerful smell so must be kept carefully wrapped to prevent them contaminating other foods. Their relatively rarity makes them highly sought-after. They are considered to be lovely to look at and many cooks try to keep them intact in dishes.
Hen of the woods or maitake mushroom. A frilled fungus with many caps that grows on trees and which is edible when it is very young.
Lima beans. The Rangoon bean is a red variety. It is also known as butter beans, Burma beans or sieva beans. Butter beans are large and white, while sieva beans are smaller and greener and are used a great deal in the United States.
