What herbs and vegetables grow well in very little sun?
The following is a list of vegetables that can tolerate partial shade. While productions may be greater in the sun, these plants will produce an edible crop when grown in a shady location.
From an article on The Old House Web (no longer available online):
VEGETABLES
Arugula
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Cress
Endive
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Parsnips
Peas
Potatoes
Radish
Rhubarb
Rutabagas
Salad Burnet
Sorrel
Spinach
Summer Squash
Turnips
HERBS
Garlic
Angelica
Borage
Caraway
Chervil
Coriander
Parsley
Lemon Balm
Lovage
Mint
Tarragon
Thyme
This article (“Best Shade-Tolerant Vegetables”) in Mother Earth News offers more detail about the amount of sun or shade needed.
Remember that most of these plants do not grow in complete shade. Plants will need some morning, evening or filtered sun; a total of two to six hours of direct sun is the minimum.