How to Make the Most Out of the Upcoming Cheap Christmas Veg

t14cy_t

i will be being extra money saving and wait until the supermarkets give the veg away!! that and keeping a watchful eye on olio!!

JIL

Need2bthrifty said:

JIL said:

8p in my aldi. 7p in lidl. 

OMG, if thats what we are paying, what are the farmers getting ? 

Glad tidings I bring, to you and your kin.

The supermarkets cover the cost. It's a loss leader, to encourage us into the shops.

RAS

Keeping depends on how hot/warm your house is? If you've an unheated rodent-proof porch, cellar or store, most will keep well whole for a while as long as they are removed from their supermarket plastic. The ones to use quickly are broccoli and to a less extent sprouts. 

Start by picking plainly dry and undamaged veggies. Wet, broken parsnips and carrots in plastic will go nasty before Christmas.

With cabbage the outer leaves will desiccate and seal in the heart. It's once cut that they go off fast. I get round this (as a solo eater) by removing any damaged leaves and then unpeeling the cabbage layer by layer as I need it. Once it's small enough I use it "as normal". Or make sauerkraut?

If you've got sand or potting compost, layer dry undamaged carrots and parsnips, not touching, in a breathable container with the mix between the roots and each layer. Will certainly keep a month or so. Swede aren't bomb proof so after a month use any space in your container for remaining swede.

For potatoes a frost free cool space out of the light into two brown paper carrier bags. Under the sink could be fine.  Depending on the spring these might start sprouting in late February, so inspect and rub off the sprouts when they are tiny. Later, it's amazing how much a slightly wrinkly potato will recover if steeped in water for an hour, although better for mash or soup than plain boiled potatoes. Plant any enthusiasts in pots or the ground. A single tatty near the bottom of a large pot, or even an old compost bag, will sprout. Just keep topping up the soil as it grows to protect it from frost and encourage more roots and you'll have a harvest in May. 

Pollycat

RAS said:

For potatoes a frost free cool space out of the light into two brown paper carrier bags. 

Primark bags are perfect for this.

Rosetta92

I’m going to leave mine in the car boot at first until I get organised, then batch cook after The Christmas food comes out of the freezer. 

Thank you all for the useful information and suggestions 😀

JingsMyBucket

Does anyone know if leeks are on sale at Aldi or Lidl as well? I’m thinking of making a batch of potato and leek soup for the freezer. 

Katiehound

^^^^
I don't think cheap leeks are available any where. You might have to pay full price!!

You could have broccoli soup from Aldi

JingsMyBucket

Thanks @Katiehound. I may just keep them in my Tesco order then.

JIL

JingsMyBucket said:

Thanks @Katiehound. I may just keep them in my Tesco order then.

 leeks are on a clubcard price.



Lidl have shallots, I may go for a 3 mile walk and pick some up. Look at the lights en route. 

JingsMyBucket

@JIL I snagged those leeks yesterday in my Tesco order when I was finalizing it! I deliberately went looking for a cheaper option. I too will likely take a walk to Lidl for the cut rate shallots on Sunday. They also have 2kg duck for only £7.49 so I’d like to get one for the freezer. That could be our New Year’s meal perhaps.