Lady’s slipper. A very vigourous vining plant, related distantly to cucumbers, but much easier to cultivate, it thrives in cool summers. We grew it in the tunnel and had to keep cutting back the foliage it was so rampant. Outdoors is probably a better option – we found it fruited quite well despite the poor summer. Support over netting or trellising. It has little green fruits grow in pairs, picked young taste very similar to cucumbers. Though only 5cm long, when harvested they are produced in great abundance all through the summer. Fruit can be eaten fresh, pickled in brine or vinegar or cooked fried in oil or stuffed and braised. Pick fruits while young; if left to mature they will eventually burst open to reveal a spine of black woody seeds within. (See pictures on our website). Plant vines with about 1m apart to give plenty of space to grow. A little encouragement is needed up the supports to begin with, but once established grow vigorously.