What do you do with your Sims Hill veg? Here’s some inspiration, all shared by members at meetings or online.

Pumpkin and squash

In 2017 we had a bumper year for pumpkins so our members got creative…

• Mandy’s stuffed pattypan
• Carla’s vegan stuffed pattypan
• Jamie Oliver’s pumpkin curry
• Pumpkin soup – or get fancy with pumpkin & chestnut, pumpkin & ginger or pumpkin & coconut milk
• Thai green curry
• Lentil and pumpkin stew
• Roasted as a side dish – on a Sunday, with puy lentils, with halloumi…
• Pumpkin risotto
• Pumpkin brownies
• Massaman curry with peanuts/cashews, kale and pumpkin
• Pumpkin in couscous (good for leftovers from a roast dinner)
• West African groundnut stew using carrots, potatoes and pumpkin
• Gypsy soup – with paprika, adapted from Moosewood

Celeriac

It’s the one that looks a bit like a brain. But does your thinking get stuck when it comes to recipes?

• Mix it with potatoes in mash (also a good trick for swedes, turnips etc)
• French salad: well grated with a coarse grater, add mustard vinaigrette dressing
• Grate and mix with grated carrot & grated beetroot; add vinaigrette dressing
• Grate & mix with grated apple, raisins, walnuts & a vinaigrette dressing
• Squash, celeriac and chilli soup

Cabbage

• Cabbage and caraway soup
• Bubble and squeak
• Coleslaw
• Finely chopped in stirfry
• Curry
• The Guardian’s 10 best cabbage recipes

Runner Beans (that are past it)

Over the summer it can be hard to keep up with the beans, or they can get hidden behind all of the other exciting things that peak season brings.

• In tomato sauce (made by reducing down a can of chopped tomatoes)
• Stir fry: onion & garlic, pepper, cumin & a good amount of paprika. Add potatoes (chopped in medium chunks) and then the beans. Add water, bring to the boil, then turn down & simmer till the liquid gets thick

Kale/cavolo nero

As one member put it: “I do like kale, but it’s very kale-y” 

• Smoothie: kale, apple, ginger, coconut water, squeeze of lemon or lime)
• Cheese, kale & potato pie (can also add carrot & onions)
• Lightly fry 1 chopped onion, add couple of handfuls of kale, add a squeeze of lemon juice (you may need to add a little water); finally add one tsp pesto
• Cavolo nero and chickpea pasta

Carrots

Did you know that thing about carrots improving your eyesight is actually a myth that was started to disguise the efficacy of Allied radar innovations during WWII? True story! Anyway, what are you going to cook for dinner?

• Apple and autumn veg soup (uses up 5-6 carrots!)
• Soup: carrot & coriander; carrot & orange
• Honey roasted or roasted with garlic olive oil & lemon juice
• Steamed & buttered or with lemon juice & coriander
• Irish stew
• Deep fried (chip shaped)
• Grated & fried with garlic on pasta
• With shallots, toasted sesame seeds & soy sauce
• Carrot & beetroot pie: grate carrots & beetroot, fry a little, mix with chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds, spread on a pastry base and bake in the oven
• Carrot cake
• Grated with beetroot & celeriac
• Carrot Thai salad: 2 grated carrots, 2 sticks celery, 1 red pepper, handful of coriander. For the sauce: sesame oil 2 tbs, soy sauce 2 tbs, honey 1 tbs, sesame seeds, finely grated ginger, finely grated garlic, finely grated chilli (or very finely chopped)

Beetroot

• Borscht
• Beetroot and horseradish pie
• Beetroot soup (vodka optional!)
• Roast beetroot

Green tomatoes

In 2011 SH tomatoes were grown outside, and many were picked green to save them from blight. Members came up with some recipes to make the most of the crop.

• Relish, sour dill tomatoes or mincemeat
• Fried green tomatoes
• Chutney

And finally, a good tip for washing leeks: Slice lengthways into four, leaving bottom third together (uncut). Washing under the cold tap then gets out all the mud in between the layers 

Enjoy!