December 2019 - 14

perspectives
BY CHENI FILIOS
Is That for Fun or Is That Your Job?
" I see your Instagram posts of plants, flower, vegetables,
people, food, travel ... is that for fun or is that your job? " This
question comes from both people I've known for a long time
and just recently met. I have to laugh when I respond with,
" Both! " Most people, no matter their age, cannot
imagine a world where their career is also one of their
passions and hobbies, but for most horticulturists we
are living proof.
BRINGING " WORK " HOME
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies; I love feeding
people and I'll use any excuse to try a new recipe.
Lucky for me, cooking and eating are part of my job as
a horticulturist! One of my favorite summer " tasks " is
to bring home new varieties of vegetables and herbs
from our breeding teams and test them in the kitchen.
My favorite recipes this summer included Fermented
Cheni Filios is global
product manager
- vegetables for
PanAmerican Seed
and a member of
GPN's 40 Under 40
Class of 2019. She
can be reached at
cfilios@ballhort.
com.
Primero Red Habanero Hot Sauce - a great way to
showcase rich habanero flavors. Newton Basil Lime
Cooler became a fan favorite this year at California Spring Trials
with the bright and fresh aroma of basil balancing the acidity of
lime. I'm currently testing Stuffed Baked Autumn Frost Squash
- cornbread, sage and sausage stuffing melding with rich and
flavorful winter squash. It's a scrumptious and delicious process,
but someone's gotta do it.
CONSUMER OUTREACH
Food and horticulture have been a gateway to connecting
another passion of mine, outreach and education. In the
last year we taught over 1,000 people about the nuances of
Genovese basil through basil oil tastings, from California Spring
Trials to the Flower Trials in The Netherlands and even at the
Chicago Botanic Garden!
Did you know that 'Everleaf Genovese' basil is great for
cooking? The slight bitterness and astringency will hold up to
higher heat and maintain aroma and flavor over a longer period
after cooking. Basil varieties with light vegetal and floral aromas
are great for fresh eating. Try adding 'Everleaf Emerald Towers'
to a salad or using the large leaves of 'Newton' basil as a wrap
for grilled shrimp or chicken satay. Be sure to sow only two to
three seeds per plug of late-flowering basil varieties, such as
'Everleaf Emerald Towers' and 'Everleaf Genoves'e, to gain full
advantage of high-yield potential and long-season enjoyment.
Hosting these food tastings helps consumers and horticulture
professionals alike learn how to differentiate the flavors, aromas
and textures of their vegetables, and ultimately how to use these
varieties in the kitchen. Tastings also provide a great opportunity
to teach how much fun a career in horticulture can be. Share
BASIL OIL RECIPE
* 4 cups basil (packed into dry measuring cup)
* 1 cups canola oil*
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add basil to blender or food processor.
Sprinkle salt over top of basil.
Turn on machine and slowly trickle oil over basil. You might
need to stop and push down the basil every few seconds.
After all oil is added, continue to run machine until basil
is very finely chopped. Do not run so long that the oil starts
to congeal.
Pour oil into food safe bottle or jar for serving.
Basil oil can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one
week after processing.
Shake and/or stir prior to serving as the basil and oil
will separate over time.
*Canola oil is suggested as it provides little to no flavor, allowing you
to taste the aroma and flavor of the basil. Olive oil is not recommended
for basil oil tastings as it has a strong flavor and will overpower
vegetal and floral aroma of the basil.
your experience with your audience while you've got them
captive chomping down on tasty homegrown food.
Hop over to the new PanAmerican Seed HandPicked Vegetable
Collection website for videos and information on great new
vegetable varieties (www.panamseed.com/handpicked).
Check out the PanAmerican Seed blog for more recipe ideas
(www.panamseed.com/Blog).
14 DECEMBER 2019 GPNMAG.COM
http://www.panamseed.com/handpicked http://www.panamseed.com/Blog http://www.GPNMAG.COM
December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2019
