Get probably the most out of your veg field

February 7, 2023

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Veg containers are a good way to have a good time the contemporary produce of the season. They’re a possibility to strive new meals whereas reducing down on time spent on the grocery store. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll discover that your veg field incorporates an excessive amount of of 1 merchandise or an ingredient you’re merely unfamiliar with. What then?

Whether or not you’re on the lookout for info on cooking new meals or in search of recipe inspiration to clean up your meals, we now have loads of concepts that can assist you profit from your veg field.

Additionally, see our useful tips about find out how to make contemporary fruit and veg last more and protect seasonal flavours. Discover one of the simplest ways to retailer your produce in addition to which meals you possibly can pop within the freezer.

Are you contemplating a veg field subscription? See our overview of the greatest veg containers to strive together with natural and wonky veg.

Learn how to retailer greens

First issues first, unpack your veg field and resolve find out how to retailer all of your produce. Some fruit and veg will be frozen for later, however in case you choose to eat them quickly, see how greatest to retailer them.

Retailer root greens, reminiscent of potatoes or beetroot, in a cool, darkish, well-ventilated place. Potatoes can final for weeks, whereas new potatoes ought to keep contemporary for a great few days.
Wash carrots, lower the inexperienced tops off and preserve them within the fridge. For further crispness, immerse them in a sealed container of chilly water, ensuring you alter the water each few days.
Retailer brassicas, reminiscent of broccoli and cauliflower, within the fridge. Leaving them complete will assist them last more.
Leafy greens, together with lettuce, kale and spinach, will be saved in a perforated bag within the fridge. Eat inside 1-2 days for max crispness.
Strive wrapping contemporary herbs, reminiscent of sage and basil, in damp kitchen paper and retailer them within the fridge.

For extra info on particular sorts of greens, see our glossary.

Selecting greens for the freezer

Should you don’t want to eat the whole lot in your veg field throughout the week, avoid wasting within the freezer for later. Some greens would require preparation – see our steerage for the very best recommendation.

Rhubarb will be frozen from uncooked, merely trim off any stringy bits and lower into quick lengths.
Chop or slice onion and freeze uncooked on trays.
Lower cauliflower or broccoli into florets, blanch for two minutes in boiling water, pat dry and freeze on a tray.
For carrots and potatoes, chop into items, cook dinner till al dente and freeze in batches.
For on a regular basis fruit, reminiscent of strawberries, apples and bananas, wash or peel and freeze in slices.

Greens with a excessive water content material, together with lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts and radishes, go limp and mushy when frozen, so freezing will not be beneficial. Comfortable herbs, reminiscent of parsley, basil and chives, are tremendous if frozen to be integrated into dishes however aren’t beneficial for garnishes.

Study extra with our full freezing information.

Learn how to meal plan

The simplest means to verify nothing goes to waste is to plan your meals for the week. Resolve which veggies you’d like to make use of right away then select your favorite recipes to make use of them up.

For reasonably priced concepts, see our straightforward 7-day funds meal plans with household, vegetarian and fast choices.

To get forward for the week, see our wholesome meal prep concepts, together with lunches, dinners and snacks.

Learn how to deplete a glut

An excessive amount of of 1 explicit ingredient within the field? See our straightforward concepts for utilizing up a glut of veggies, plus methods to protect the flavours of the season.

Shredding: sweeter veggies, reminiscent of carrots, courgettes and parsnips, will be grated and utilized in bakes like our basic carrot cake.
Mixing: to make a warming soup, merely blitz greens cooked in inventory, reminiscent of potatoes, cauliflower or butternut squash, with a hand blender. Strive our scrumptious cauliflower soup.
Roasting: you possibly can’t go fallacious with a roasted vegetable traybake or rustic ratatouille.
Preserving: strive new cooking strategies to make use of up huge batches of fruit and greens, reminiscent of making jam, fermenting or pickling.

Frequent veggies, reminiscent of courgette, sweetcorn and carrots, will be added to quite a lot of on a regular basis dishes, together with curries, pastas and soups.

For extra concepts, see the high 10 methods to make use of up a backyard glut.

What to do with seasonal produce

Veg containers can embrace specialty or extremely seasonal produce. Undecided what to do with a vegetable you’re much less acquainted with? Seek for recipe inspiration and take a look at one thing new. Listed here are just a few concepts for profiting from seasonal fruit and veggies:

Deplete candy berries, lychees, gooseberries, blackcurrants or damsons in cocktails; you possibly can infuse them in gin and vodka. Additionally they add sweetness to bakes and desserts.
Profit from legumes, together with broad beans and runner beans, by tossing them right into a pasta or curry.
Hearty veggies, reminiscent of marrow and Jerusalem artichoke, are excellent for roasting in a traybake or mixing right into a soup.
Gradual cook dinner darkish, leafy veg, reminiscent of cavolo nero and Swiss chard, in stews to minimize their robust, bitter flavour.
Flip freshly foraged wild garlic right into a pesto or infuse in butter so as to add to recipes.
Aromatic elderflower will be preserved and utilized in a cordial or a springtime bake.