Would you do this?

[Millymollymandy]

I've been squidging caterpillars on my brassicas for ages now yet looking longingly at my kale but not feeling like eating it because of them!

However yesterday I thought I would pick some of the green kale as it was looking remarkably clean and hole free. To be on the safe side I left the leaves soaking in a bowl of water with a dish on top to hold the leaves under water to drown any bugs, slugs and creepies. Nothing much came out of the water and I couldn't see any caterpillars on inspection, but well there are all those frilly bits.

By this stage I thought to really be on the safe side I would put the whole leaves in a big pan then pour boiling water over them from the kettle and guess what, quite a few caterpillars floated out. then I rinsed them in cold water.

Luckily something made me repeat this operation and about 3 more tiny caterpillars came out! by this time I inspected every nook and cranny in the kale but couldn't find any more.

Now you are expecting me to say that I found one on my plate - I didn't, but all the time I was eating it I was trying not to look too carefully and I really wasn't enjoying it like I should.

Whilst doing all this caterpillar clearing I had half a mind to just get some runner beans out of the freezer because I was feeling rather icky! But I thought, NO, I am an Isher and we don't let caterpillars get the better of us! (or do we? )

So what do/would you do?

[evelyn]

I would do what you did only i would have to do it in secret, i have problems enough getting my 14yo to eat veg, if she saw me picking creepy crawleys she would never eat a veg again, it is because of her that i started growing veg in the first place, i thought if she had been part of the hole growing prosses she would be a little more inclined to give them a go, and so far it is working, YAY!!

Eve

[growingthings]

I think that 'livestock' is an enivitability of the homegrower.

Just remind yourself that although its a bit unpleasant, what did the commercial growers do to their veg to keep it bug free?

This always makes me feel a bit smug, and much more able to enjoy me green!


Lorna x

[Fifer182]

Soak leaves over night in salt water..... rinse very well before eating, usually the wee creepies are taken care of.. if not.. 'pillar stew.. anyone??!!

Fifer

[Peggy Sue]

I'm not too squeemish so I don't mind the 'livestock' element...but MIL is exteameeeeeaaaamely squeemish and ther was only one missed caterpillar this Sat...on her plate!

[Penny Lane]

I'm afraid it'd be saying hello to the compost heap if it were me!

*shudder!*

[Rosendula]

...Now you are expecting me to say that I found one on my plate - I didn't, but all the time I was eating it I was trying not to look too carefully and I really wasn't enjoying it like I should.
...
So what do/would you do?

A couple of weeks ago I was right near the end of my meal when I found a tiny one in my gravy. I'd had so many creatures in my cauliflower, and really thought I had got them all out. I kept quiet about it, though. If I let the rest of them know, they'll never eat home-grown again

I've been thinking of preparing my cauliflower the night before in future and leaving them to soak overnight in salt water with a bit of lemon in (to keep it white). I was going to ask if anyone's tried this, but I see Fifer has and is recommending it. Thanks Fifer

[Thomzo]

Personally I'd feed it to the chooks. I've nothing against the odd caterpillar but I can't stand curly kale. As far as I'm concerned, the only good use for it is scrubbing saucepans

Zoe

[LBR]

I think you're a brave soul to go thru so much de-bugging. I doubt I'd brave it. I think the compost is a good idea.

It's one reason I grow okra, tomatoes, and such. It's easier to get the bugs out, off, and away.

[Millymollymandy]

Interesting replies - now if I actually had found one on my plate I think I would have thrown up!

I don't mind finding the odd blackfly on my lettuce but caterpillars, ugh!

This may have something to do with having spent a month or so squidging the things and they don't smell too good.

[gdb]

Pick the caterpillars off regularly. When you pick the leaves give them a look over and a shake or two.

Put them down for a few minutes after picking - some of the creepy crawlies run off then, sensing the danger.

Then if you just wash the Kale under running water - wash it like it was your own hand, if you see what I mean (not using soap... I mean carefully.....) - you won't have the problem. Any caterpillars that were still on the leaf will be washed away or stuck in the plughole.

If all that fails. Fry them in a little flour....

[kiwirach]

would have been compost heap for me as well....mind you, i wont be growing kale in the 1st place....

i had an experience once back in NZ where we were out for a meal and i was served brocolli and on my last mouthful i noticed a perfectly boiled caterpillar with eyes just like this smillie.... and i tackfully put the piece back on my plate without saying anything. at the end of the meal the hostest asked if i didnt like brocolli and pointed to the piece, and since they were good family friends i was able to joke....'the brocollis ok, its the caterpillar i dont like!'. lots of laughter and inspection of the clinging to the branch boiled caterpillar followed!.
did knock me for a while though and now everything is scrutinised!.

[Peggy Sue]

Am I right- this is all psychological isn't it? There is nothing poisonous about caterpillars? And I ahve eaten one or two and they aren't that bad- nowhere near as bad as when you don't cut the carrot fly out of carrots IMO.

I just can't help thinking having sat outside in the dark washing the mud off spuds, then the mud off carrots, then the mud off artichokes, then the whitefly off the kale...tehn actually my hands are so cold I couldn't really care if I see a boiled caterpillar in exchange for warm hands just 5 minutes early

[Millymollymandy]

Totally psychological - I'd rather see a slug on my plate than a caterpillar! Carrot root fly doesn't bother me but I've never seen anything crawling in my carrots - just black bits that I cut off - what do you have?

[Peggy Sue]

The carrot root fly was a bit of a takeover bid come October- not just a few black bits but riddles with it- when you eat bits you haven't taken out it does taste vile- really bitter and texture of cardboard

Slugs I really couldn't eat- way too slimy, caterpillars are quite firm and meaty really