Giant cabbage takes fair's grand prize

[cleofus1]

http://www.adn.com/life/story/6924248p-6822507c.html

60-pound girl who grew an 85-pound cabbage won the annual Alaska State Fair Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off Friday, capping what has become one of the defining events at the fair -- colossal produce competitions.


Brenna Dinkel, the 10-year-old great-granddaughter of an early Matanuska colonist, explained her cabbage-tending duties after winning the $2,000 grand prize. It is her second time to top cabbage growers at the fair; she won as an 8-year-old in 2003 with a 77.6-pound entry.

"We had to make sure the moose didn't get it," said Brenna, who grew her cabbage on a Wasilla farm. Her cousin, Seth Dinkel, 12, took second place with an 81-pound entry.

[Droopy]

1. How do they grow produce that size?

Miracle Grow?

[cleofus1]

2. snip

Fueled by Alaska's long hours of sunlight, prize-winning produce at the fair broke nine state records this year. The haul includes a 4.25-pound parsnip, a 32.45-pound table beet and a 168.6-pound watermelon that crushed the previous record by 100 pounds.

Some of the whopping produce will remain at the fair through Monday, while earlier entries may have already made it onto tables at Bean's Cafe in Anchorage or the Palmer Senior Center as donations.

Planetary cantaloupes and mountainous watermelons are tasty despite their freakish size, volunteers said, but cabbages like Brenna Dinkel's probably won't be eaten.

[sakabatou]

6. I wanna try a moon and stars melon

[Suich]

3. I've seen a couple of programs on Discovery about the ASF.

Some of the veggies grown in Matanuska are amazing...like the pumpkins and zucchinis. It's fun to see how much tlc the growers give to their "babies." Thanks for the post!

[miss_kitty]

4. Back in the day

the gnarliest dope came out of Alaska-the Matanuska Valley. Matanuska Thunderfuck was its name. It was GREAT in brownies

Edited to add: Matanuska Valley Thunderfuck is supposed to be higher than just Alaskan Thunderfuck, probably around 40-41% THC.
paralytic

[cleofus1]

5. i hear it's a one toke high

tha's wa i heer...

[miss_kitty]

7. that is not an exaggeration, my friend

:smoke:

[cleofus1]

8. ms kitty

are you an alaskan?

[Tallison]

9. Overgrown veggies usually taste awful

Fun project, but no one will eat it.

[cleofus1]

10. not sure if it's really true but

"Planetary cantaloupes and mountainous watermelons are tasty despite their freakish size, volunteers said, but cabbages like Brenna Dinkel's probably won't be eaten."

they do donate all the giant produce to senior homes and homeless shelters...where it is gobbled up post haste...

[Tallison]

13. Hope so

considering the resources going toward a specimen of that size. It might work better stewed than raw (like in cole slaw).

[Akoto]

11. Update: Giant Cabbage eaten by Giant Bunny

:D

[cleofus1]

12. ok

that one made me laugh out loud...