I've gone mad this year and planted seeds for vegetable I've never heard of.
Has anyone else done the same? When browsing the packets of seeds in the
garden centre it is so tempting to get carried away and buy seeds for the
weirdest looking vegetables.

Besides the usual stuff I've planted:

Scorzonera - The seed packet picture shows what look like pen sized black
roots?

Salsify - Picture looks like parsnips but thinner.

Florence Fennel - Picture looks like celery with a bulbous base.

I've no idea what the above three taste like!

I've also planted some Romanesque cauliflower - the green ones with the
amazing geometrical fractal like heads. Bought one of those from the
supermarket last year as it looked so weird. Tasted good too!

Long black radish - tried one of these too last year from the supermarket,
sliced and boiled with a cooked dinner, tasted similar to small radish but
milder and a bit turnip like.

Also planted a variety of garden cress (looks like water cress in the seed
packet picture).

Last year someone on URG spoke of getting accidental melons on their
allotment in Yorkshire (was it Rupert - I can't remember?), so took the view
that if they'll grow there, then it's worth a try here, so planted some
melon seeds saved from a cantaloupe melon last year - they are up and will
be ready to plant out shortly.

Also planted some chilli pepper seeds, but don't hold out much hope of them
ripening outdoors as I haven't built a greenhouse here yet for such
sunlovers.

Planted all the usual stuff too - potatoes, onions, shallots, runner beans,
courgettes. Still eating the remains of last years leeks which are starting
to run to seed and have enough spring greens to feed a small town.

Anyone else planted weird and wonderful veggies with no idea what to expect?

--
David
.... Email address on website http://www.avisoft.co.uk