Each year since 2011, the Duluth Community Garden Program has made a selection for Vegetable of the Year. Of those sixteen years, none has been so infused with controversy as 2026.
The vegetable behind this controversy - cucumber.
"We did have a little bit of an upheaval," says Haley Diem. "Summer squash was also nominated, but then pattypan squash was nominated, and if the votes were combined, I think summer squash probably should have won." Not only were the results of the voting potentially questionable, but the fact that cucumbers actually fall into the category of fruit brought more speculation.
But this so-called controversy is just a footnote in the year ahead for the cucumber. Outreach programs to area schools are being planned to educate students and encourage healthy eating habits. And if you're looking for a quick way to pickle cucumbers (and other vegetables - you can pickle anything), Haley has a preferred and easy method.
"Cucumbers just kind of get ignored, so it's their time," says Diem. "It's their year."
More information about the Duluth Community Garden Program can be found by signing up for their newsletter via their website.
You can hear Community Connection every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am on Northland Morning.
