Ah, the humble, glorious, and delightfully unspecified farm treasure. Yes, you read that right. On several farms across the Netherlands, you are invited to step into a field and pick… whatever it is that tickles your fancy. Is it a crisp, sun-warmed apple? A shy, dirt-dusted carrot? A fragrant bundle of lavender? The mystery is half the fun. Grab a basket, your favourite pair of wellies (it is the Netherlands, after all), and a sense of adventure. The assignment is simple: you see it, you like it, you pick it. No pressure, just the satisfying pop or snap of nature giving itself to you.

Selecting & Picking: The Art of the Unplanned Haul

Forget the grocery list. This is a choose-your-own-adventure in a field. Start by wandering. Let the colours and scents be your guide. If you’re with friends or family, turn it into a game. “Find the most perfectly round one!” “Smell everything and rate it on a scale of 1 to ‘I want to sleep in this smell’.” The key is to be gentle—a firm but loving twist for most veggies, a snip with provided scissors for herbs and flowers. Don’t worry if your haul looks a little wonky. A crooked cucumber has more character. A slightly dented tomato has more flavour. You’re not shopping; you’re collecting sunshine and dirt.

Back Home: What on Earth Do I Do With This?

So you’ve returned, victorious, with a basket full of… unspecified goodness. Don’t panic. This is where the fun really begins. Wash everything (except flowers) with a gentle spray. For vegetables and fruit, a good rinse and a happy pat dry is all they need. For herbs, give them a little shake. Now, let’s put this mystery loot to work.

For Vegetables or Fruit: Two Cooking Recipes

Recipe 1: The Unspecified Frittata (for any veggie) Chop your mystery vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a hot, buttered pan with salt, pepper, and a handful of chopped chives (or any herb you also brought home). In a bowl, whisk 6 eggs with a splash of milk and a handful of grated cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the cooked veggies, lower the heat, and cook until the bottom is set. Pop the pan under the grill for 3-4 minutes until golden and puffed. Serve with crusty bread. This works with literally any vegetable. Even the weird ones.

Recipe 2: The Unspecified Crumble (for any fruit) You’ve got apples, pears, berries, or even plums? Yes. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Chop your fruit (about 4 cups) and toss it with 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon. Dump it into a baking dish. In a bowl, rub together 100g cold butter, 150g flour, and 80g brown sugar until it looks like craggy breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this over the fruit. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden. Serve with vanilla ice cream. You just made a masterpiece from a mystery.

For Herbs: One Additional Tea Recipe

The Unspecified Herbal Tea Gather a generous handful of your picked herbs (mint, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, lavender—any combo works). Rinse them gently. Place them in a teapot. Pour over one litre of just-boiled water. Let it steep for 7 minutes. Strain into mugs. Add a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon. Drink while watching the rain streak down the window. You are now a certified Dutch herbalist in spirit.

For Flowers: Suggestions for Decoration

Your mystery bouquet is begging to be a centrepiece. Here’s how:

  • The Mason Jar Classic: Cut stems short and stuff them into a clean, wide-mouthed jam jar. Tie a piece of twine around the neck. Place on the kitchen windowsill.
  • The Floating Petal Bowl: Pluck the petals from a few larger flowers and float them in a shallow glass bowl of water. Add a floating tea light for an evening glow.
  • The Hanging Posy: Tie a small bundle of flowers with a rubber band, then wrap with a ribbon. Hang it upside down to dry in a cool, dark place. In a few weeks, you’ll have a dried arrangement that lasts forever (or at least until you dust).

For Fruit: One Cocktail Recipe

The Unspecified Fruit Smash Muddle ½ cup of your chosen fruit (berries, stone fruit chunks, or chopped apple) in the bottom of a sturdy glass. Add 2 oz of your favourite spirit (vodka, gin, or rum all work beautifully). Add 1 oz of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, dissolved). Fill the glass with ice. Top with a splash of soda water. Stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of whatever herb you also brought home. Sip. Repeat. You have now officially made the most unspecifiedly delicious drink of your life. Cheers to that.