2021 Frugal Living Challenge

balabooberlies

I have these beautiful carrots I bought today, with the longest tops/leaves.

Anyone have any idea what I can do with them ?

bala

weenancyinAmerica

During World War II, they dried carrot tops to use in place of salt. 

tboo

balabooberlies said:

I have these beautiful carrots I bought today, with the longest tops/leaves.

Anyone have any idea what I can do with them ?

bala

Plenty of ideas from google.

Leaves

Apparently, they can be used like herbs.

The leaves on carrots are not only edible, but they're delicious. Carrot leaves are not poisonous, and in fact, they are a nutritious green that tastes similar to parsley (in fact, carrot leaves are in the same family as parsley, coriander, and other herbs)

Tops

Carrot top pesto

florianatwobob

Carrot top pesto is a thing. 

oystercatcher

My chickens love the green carrot tops, so did the guinea pigs when we had them. We have a couple of people who save them for the chickens. More economical to eat them yourself but I am too fussy!

Sweetlittledaydreams

Sort of a frugal week so far. Picked up an extra 12 hours at work today so that'll  be a bit more on this month's pay slip, got my £130 switching bonus from my new bank account yesterday so that was exciting, got two 30% off vegetable pies this evening for the freezer, and the house is apparently 14c but I'm not feeling cold so the heating isn't going on yet. 
Is anyone feeling Christmassy yet? I've started the Christmas shopping and ordered some more presents yesterday for family, this is where I become very unfrugal - I love choosing and giving gifts to the people close to me, but this year I feel quite unmotivated. This is going to be my first Christmas being single for a few years so feel quite sad and not festive at all yet. Looked at booking a week away for my winter birthday but I'll just be sad and bored on my own, and won't enjoy it enough to justify the cost of ferries and accommodation, especially as it's too cold for my tent and sleeping bag! Oh well I suppose that's more money saved. 
I'm not working this weekend so will try and batch cook some meals for the freezer. Healthier and tastier than ready meals, and better for the bank balance. 

willow_loulou

I love Christmas so yes very Christmassy here. I’m all done present wise though I may get DS something else as he’s had his gift already as it was needed. 

My decorations are looking decidedly shabby so need to give them a spruce up and make some more. 

kippers

Ellie79 said:

Hi all. Not very frugal, or particularly nice news but our oldest dog died in his sleep. It wasn't totally a surprise but obviously  very distressing. I had money earmarked in my limited savings to pay for whatever he needed when this happened so whilst also very expensive, it's what feels right. House feels awful without him and after the awful year we have had personally it is just another thing to drag us down. We were very lucky to adopt him and have so many years with him. It doesn't ease the pain but it makes it more manageable. He might have been a rather smelly grumpy old boy but he was our rather smelly and grumpy old sod

I dont very often post here but i read this thread all the time.  I just wanted to say im so sorry for your loss.  Our pets are our world and my heart breaks for you.  Sending you lots and lots of virtual hugs XXX

balabooberlies

Have decided to use the carrot leaves as I would fresh corriander.

However, has anyone ever frozen fresh herbs and would I need to blanch them first ?

bala

Scottiedog_3

balabooberlies said:

Have decided to use the carrot leaves as I would fresh corriander.

However, has anyone ever frozen fresh herbs and would I need to blanch them first ?

bala

I have often frozen fresh flat-leaved parsley and its curly cousin - and I don't blanch them first.  They survive very well and crumble very satisfactorily into whatever you're cooking without needing to be defrosted first.