1. Exotic & Exciting Specialty Crops
Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D.
Agricultural & Resource Management Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Bill Sciarappa is an Agricultural Agent in Monmouth County as well as a member of the Rutgers Department of Agriculture and Resource Management Agents and the Rutgers Vegetable Working Group.
Master Gardeners 2013
Organic Vegetables SEBS 2009 1

2. Exciting & Exotic Crops
As a member of the Rutgers Vegetable Working Group, we work on a USDA grant investigating new crops for American agriculture. There are many exciting and exotic crops found around the world. Many of these are tropical in nature and not suitable for field production in our area. On the other hand, many cultivars do grow well in our northeast region and today’s presentation will provide some practical suggestions for your farm or garden production.
Organic Vegetables SEBS 2009 2

3. Tomatoes Standard Varieties Grape Type Heirloom
While most of us are very familiar with standard round tomatoes and quite a few of us have dabbled in heirloom cultivars, we find that the small grape type tomatoes are great for farm stand use and in the home garden. The grape tomato cultivar Santa was bred in Taiwan and then marketed first by a local Jersey grower Procacci. In our demonstration trials on Rutgers farms, we have found this cultivar and other similar types to grow quite vigorously. A strong trellis is needed to lift the determinate tomato well off the ground. Yields are profuse and the fruit much sweeter than previously known cherry and the acidy standard round tomatoes.

4. Resurrecting the Ramapo Tomato
Rutgers Ag Research is resurrecting the Ramapo tomato which was first bred by Rutgers Professor Bernie Pollock. While this commercial variety tasted great, it went out of favor when new larger and redder and more round hybrids came into the marketplace. Recently Dr. Pollock has provided some of the original batch of seeds which we are now providing to small farms and home gardeners so that they may once again experience the classic taste of the New Jersey tomato.

5. Tomatillo – Husk Tomato
Purple Tomatillo
Pineapple Tomatillo
The Mexican tomatillo, also known as the green husked tomato, has gained popularity in the last few years as it’s a great addition into green salsa and is fairly pest resistant due to its papery calyx covering the fruit. We have tested many varieties as seen in this video. There is a purple type that provides anthocyanadin, antioxidants and a small pineapple type that works well in salads. We prefer the large Ciscineros type which is increased in price from .25 cents a pound to $2.50 a pound or more.
Ciscineros

6. Scoville Heat Scale Habaneros 50,000 – 500,000
Hot Peppers
Anaheim
Chili
Cayenne
Tabasco
Jalapeno
Habanero
Hot peppers production has really increased in the last ten years, especially as the demographic population of the northeast has transitioned to Hispanic and Indian cultures. These culinary tastes have affected mainstream markets and consumers as well.
There is a Scoville heat scale that measures the amount of capsaicin in a cultivar. While a standard bell pepper may rate as a 0, an Anaheim may be 10,000 Scoville units ranging up to the current world record of the Indian Ghost pepper at one million Scoville units.
Scoville Heat Scale Habaneros 50,000 – 500,000

7. Eggplant Japanese Chinese Indian Jamaican Italian African French
Russian
Eggplant cultivars are some of the most diverse vegetable crops in terms of color and shape. The main nutritional ingredient is nasunin which aids in digestion and liver function. The standard eggplants are prepared by cutting the rubbery skin off, which loses this nutritional value. New exotic varieties have thin skins which are not removed and different colors that provide a diversity of antioxidants.

8. Vegetable Soybean - Edamame - Mao Dou
Fresh or Frozen Soyfoods
Raw or Lightly Cooked
High in Sugar
30-40% Protein
Rich in Vitamins - Minerals
Avoids Saturated Fats
Avoids Cholesterol
Substitutes - Animal Protein
More Digestable
Vegetable soybeans are used in human consumption in contrast to the animal feed soybeans we typically see in our farm fields. These varieties are highly digestible, high in sugar and protein with no health effects. 30 of the 32 essential human amino acids are found in this super vegetable.

9. Artichoke ANNUAL PRODUCTION As a vegetable Green Globe Imperial Star
Two new varieties of artichoke now allow annual production. Previous types could not be grown in our area because the winters were too cold. One way to trick these transplants into maturing earlier is by placing them in cool storage for a month so that the physiology of the plant thinks it has overwintered.
Green Globe
Imperial Star

10. Corn Ornamental Popcorn Baby Corn
There are a diversity of new and exciting corn types to consider for the small farm or garden. Mini corn types are great for Asian stir fries, strawberry type corn cultivars are great for ornamentals at Halloween and other holidays. A native American corn cultivar Robusto can be popped while still on the cob without being shelled. The Native Americans simply threw them on the camp fire and current Americans can just use the microwave.

11. Herbs Cilantro Genovese Basil Thai Basil
There are many exotic and exciting herbs to consider in your crop selection. We see cilantro replacing or adding to parsley as Mexican dishes have become as popular as Italian ones. There are dozens of new basil types and we especially enjoy the Thai basil with its purplish flowers and chocolate taste.

12. HARVEST TIME IN THE GARDEN STATE Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
So we hope you have seen some choices of exotic and exciting new crops. These specialty food crops make great conservation pieces, market eye-catchers and nutritious meals. So have a great new season planting whether you are a farmer or a home gardener and enjoy the fruits of your labor.