I was making spring rolls the other night and thought, wow, I could actually purchase all of the produce necessary for spring rolls this year from the Friends School Plant sale and grow it in my backyard! To decide that you are going to make spring rolls and then gather all of the fresh ingredients from your back yard is such an amazing feeling. Though I have never tried growing ALL of the fresh ingredients for spring rolls in my backyard before, I’m going to try it this year. Join me in my experiment!

Here’s the shopping list of plants you are going to need or should consider:

Garlic Chives - Some people say this is optional, but it enhances the flavor of spring rolls so much, that I would say it is a definite yes in a spring roll. Great for other Asian style dishes also. If you don’t like the garlicky bite you will get from it, than skip it.
Vietnamese Coridander - A must herb for some people in spring rolls.
Garlic - Important for the dipping sauce.
Mint - choose Spearmint or Peppermint - This is a must herb for most people in spring rolls.
Red Shiso - This is a must herb for most people in spring rolls, though I spent years of my life refusing to have it in my spring rolls. Only as I have gotten older do I know appreciate the taste and love it in my rolls. Don’t be like me and wait years to find out what a great herb you are missing out on. This might be a more advanced herb in terms of taste, but it is definitely worth trying it.
Cucumbers - Burpless, Tasty Jade (new this year) - Any cucumber will do, but I would recommend a burpless variety. It works better for spring rolls. Tasty Jade is a burpless variety.
Lettuce -Bibb, red leaf (Red Sails), green leaf (Grand Rapids) - Any of these varieties should be great though I have not grown any of these varieties before.
Mesclun - When you want to mix it up a little bit and try something other than the lettuce.
Thai Dragon - or a pepper of some type is needed for the sauce if you like it spicy.

With all of the produce grown in the yard, you’ll only need to get noodles, rice paper and the meat/protein of your choice at the supermarket.

I will post the spring roll recipe with instructions as the summer progresses when the produce is ready for picking! Or if you have to know now, I will be at the Brandy Tang booth at the plant sale. Stop by and I’ll tell you want to do for spring rolls.