Shropshire Star

Gardener finds ugly vegetable

Has a Shropshire gardening enthusiast unearthed the ugliest parsnip in the county?

Published

Has a Shropshire gardening enthusiast unearthed the ugliest parsnip in the county?

This "gargoyle" parsnip was dug up by Brian Davy, from Wellington, but it was not until he gave it to his wife to prepare for lunch that the couple came "face-to-face" with the vegetable.

Mr Davy said he dug up the unusual parsnip at his allotment in Admaston and said it certainly put a bigger smile on their faces than any other vegetable he had grown.

The 71-year-old said: "I unearthed this particular parsnip but didn't notice anything until my wife saw it.

"It's like some sort of gargoyle. I grow the vegetables and my wife is the chef but this one didn't make it to the pan."

But the couple said they did not know if the "parsnip face" would last much longer as they may chop it up for lunch.

"Keeping a parsnip is a bit of an odd thing to do so I don't know what to do yet.

"Parsnips are easily cooked and prepared so it may go the way all good things do - it could be on the table on Sunday, trying to look good," he said.

The avid gardener, who has kept his allotment for more than five years, added: "It wasn't something that struck me but it was the wife that saw the possibilities.

"When you look at it, it's so obvious, it's a wonder I didn't see it."

Suggestions for whom the root vegetable resembles so far include Worzel Gummidge, the Child-Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Gobbo the goblin from the television series Noddy and Spud the scarecrow from children's television programme Bob The Builder.

Gardeners in Shropshire have grown some shocking vegetables over the years and the latest parsnip comes after Frank Nemeth, from Wellington, claimed to have grown the biggest tomatoes in the Midlands - the size of water melons - after growing a two-pound tomato.

While Rob Fowles, from Donnington, grew chrysanthemums 7ft tall and his asparagus became abnormal with flat instead of round stems.

* Who or what do you think Mr Davy's parsnip looks like? Call the Shropshire Star newsdesk with your ideas on (01952) 242424.