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Part-time Self Sufficiency - Printable Version

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RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Scarlet - 28-04-2022

(28-04-2022, 12:15 PM)Vinny Wrote:
(28-04-2022, 10:27 AM)Scarlet Wrote: I love masterchef.... but was really annoyed recently when a young Polish woman said that she loved London as she could get what she wanted all year round as in Poland you could only buy what was in season.
We should be more like Poland!
I haven't eaten a fresh tomato for some time.... can't wait to pick the first one.

I am SS in tomatoes. When fresh isn't available I will only eat the frozen ones. The same for beans - dried if fresh isn't available.
Garlic - I use elephant garlic mostly as that is what I can grow.
I will only eat the herbs that I can grow - rosemary in the winter, chives and onions in pots. Mints now.
I won't buy kale or chard. Same as PP really. I will go without and eat something I do have.... or pick elsewhere. Had some lovely wild garlic this month.
Blackcurrants - spares are made into jam or frozen. I wouldn't buy them.
I can never grow enough lettuce - I need some tips from Bren.
I would love to be able to grow enough beetroot for the whole year but hardly managed to get any due to rodent issue.
Glad you mentioned Elephant garlic Scarlet. Cool I have been building up stock from the original, incredibaly expensive three cloves I bought about three years ago. By keeping half for eating and half for planting each year, I now have enough growing that should make me self sufficient once its harvested. I love it's mild flavour and actually prefer it to traditional garlic, of which I have loads. Big Grin
I prefer it to to the traditional stuff too.


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Norfolk Grey - 28-04-2022

Oooo I am self sufficient in courgettes, beans and rhubarb (as I refuse to buy them even if I haven't grown them). Does that count or am I cheating Smile


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Veggie - 28-04-2022

I forgot Elephant garlic too - and the Babington leeks. I have clumps of both scattered throughout the garden - always there when I need an allium fix.


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Veggie - 28-04-2022

(28-04-2022, 12:36 PM)Norfolk Grey Wrote: Oooo I am self sufficient in courgettes, beans and rhubarb (as I refuse to buy them even if I haven't grown them). Does that count or am I cheating Smile
That 100% counts. 
It looks like all of us eat seasonally from our gardens and won't buy the things out of season that we grow in season..............if that makes sense?  Huh


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Vinny - 28-04-2022

I forgot about the Kintsai celery leaves I grow. Its a short lived perennial (second year now) and even a few leaves can impart that celery flavour to soups and stews. Much easier to grow than all the other celery varients and looks after itself! Cool


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Scarlet - 28-04-2022

(28-04-2022, 01:01 PM)Veggie Wrote:
(28-04-2022, 12:36 PM)Norfolk Grey Wrote: Oooo I am self sufficient in courgettes, beans and rhubarb (as I refuse to buy them even if I haven't grown them). Does that count or am I cheating Smile
That 100% counts. 
It looks like all of us eat seasonally from our gardens and won't buy the things out of season that we grow in season..............if that makes sense?  Huh
Yes, it does. I think people who grow food are not so fussy on the ingredients they think they need to make a meal either? Happy to use an alternative as that's what they have in their " kitchen garden"


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - JJB - 28-04-2022

SS in apples, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries. Chard/spinach, winter squash, beans, beetroot, sweetcorn, onions, garlic and hopefully in the coming year MT.
I do buy tomatoes and cucs when I've not got any though and the very occasional courgette.


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Small chilli - 28-04-2022

(28-04-2022, 04:32 PM)Scarlet Wrote:
(28-04-2022, 01:01 PM)Veggie Wrote:
(28-04-2022, 12:36 PM)Norfolk Grey Wrote: Oooo I am self sufficient in courgettes, beans and rhubarb (as I refuse to buy them even if I haven't grown them). Does that count or am I cheating Smile
That 100% counts. 
It looks like all of us eat seasonally from our gardens and won't buy the things out of season that we grow in season..............if that makes sense?  Huh
Yes, it does. I think people who grow food are not so fussy on the ingredients they think they need to make a meal either? Happy to use an alternative as that's what they have in their " kitchen garden"
That made me chuckle Scarlet  Big Grin . Because I’ve been known to substitute ingredients with things that are merely a similar shape or  same colour    Blush . 
my best substitute to date was cumin seeds instead of fennel seeds.  Big Grin . It actually worked really well.  More recently finally chopped french beans instead of peas. Actually I do that quite often. 

when I was writing my list I thought I sounded quite unhealthy by not buying vegetables. Turns out we all sound unhealthy and or tight as a ducks bottom    Wink . But what we actually are is eco warrior, gardening gods and that’s  awesome. I’m very proud to be a part of it   Cool .


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - Veggie - 28-04-2022

I agree, SC. If a recipe needs an onion - you can use a leek, elephant garlic, spring onion and so on.
If its says cabbage, use kale, cauli leaves, broccoli etc.
Any fruit can be substituted for another one.
Any bean or pea or pod for another..
Any salad leaf will do in a sandwich or on the side of plate.


RE: Part-time Self Sufficiency - SarrissUK - 28-04-2022

(28-04-2022, 09:13 PM)Veggie Wrote: I agree, SC. If a recipe needs an onion - you can use a leek, elephant garlic, spring onion and so on.
If its says cabbage, use kale, cauli leaves, broccoli etc.
Any fruit can be substituted for another one.
Any bean or pea or pod for another..
Any salad leaf will do in a sandwich or on the side of plate.

This... this is what blows Jay's mind. Not that he follows recipes (he doesn't need recipes for beans on toast), but it blows his mind that I chuck in a bit of this, and a bit of that.