New 'Veggie Adventure' video
Richard Molinar, farm advisor with UC Cooperative Extension and the Small Farm Program, frequently finds himself on his own "vegetable adventures" when visiting Hmong and Lao farmers in Fresno county with Michael Yang, agricultural assistant.
"One of the exciting things about this job is you always learn something new," Molinar said. "Our specialty is with the Asian vegetables, with Michael's expertise in that area. Asians have vegetables that are unique to their culture, that they prefer — just like Punjabis have vegetables unique to their culture, and Hispanics have vegetables common to them."
Yang pointed out that sometimes Asian vegetables include familiar varieties that are grown and eaten in less familiar ways. For example, many Hmong and Chinese farmers grow sugar snap pea plants for the tender shoots, tendrils and leaves instead of the pea pod.
For more, watch the video:
Still curious?
- Find more information about growing Asian vegetables from the UC Small Farm Program
- Hmong and Lao agricultural resources from UC Cooperative Extension Fresno County
- More videos? Watch our Great Veggie Adventure playlist
- Visit the official Great Veggie Adventure website by the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings