|
Apple - more info
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away". How many times did you hear that, when you were a kid? Yet there's more to the humble apple than we might think. Find out why apples are so good for you, how to store them and how to enjoy them.
Apple Recipes
|
|
Asparagus (Green) - more info
Asparagus is considered a delicacy and its arrival heralds the start of spring - definitely something to be looked forward to. When lightly steamed, its flavour is simply delicious. The motto with using asparagus is "less is more" - don't worry about fancy recipes, enjoy it as it is.
Asparagus (Green) Recipes
|
|
Asparagus (White) - more info
White asparagus is less common in the UK than its green counterpart, but it's the only way to eat it if you live in Germany. It's white because it is harvested the instant it breaks through the soil, so the sun can't activite the chlorophyll that would give it a green colour. The flavour is more subtle than green asparagus and definitely worth trying.
Asparagus (White) Recipes
|
|
Aubergine (Purple) - more info
Aubergines are also known as eggplants or egg plants, depending on where you come from. They're a much misunderstood vegetable, often being served over-cooked and mushy, which doesn't do them any favours. Knowing how to prepare them gives you a chance to enjoy this delicious vegetable.
Aubergine (Purple) Recipes
|
|
Aubergine (White) - more info
The Aubergine or Egg Plant is a member of the nightshade family, along with potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. Aubergine can be purple or white, or any shade in between.
Aubergine (White) Recipes
|
|
Avocado - more info
Although avocado is often considered a high fat food, the oils it contains are actually good for you. So don't rule it out of your diet just because you're watching calories. When ripe, the green flesh is simply delicious in everything from salads to guacamole.
Avocado Recipes
|
|
Baby Sweetcorn - more info
Baby sweetcorn is often very expensive in the shops (and air freighted...), so it's a real treat to get it in your veg box. It's delicious either eaten raw, or lightly cooked in stir fries or Asian dishes.
Baby Sweetcorn Recipes
|
|
Basil - more info
Basil comes in many sizes of leaves. The most important thing is to use it as soon as you can, to make the most of the flavour. Add it at the end of cooking, or the essential oils that give it its delicious pungent aroma will disappear.
|
|
Beetroot - more info
There's so much more to beetroot than the sliced, pickled variety you can get in supermarkets. Whether you're a lover or a loather of the beetroot-in-jars, it's worth trying fresh beetroot. The flavour is delicate and they're both easy to cook and grow.
Beetroot Recipes
|
|
Beetroot (Pink) - more info
Did you know that beetroot comes in a wide variety of colours? Not just purple, but pink, ringed and even an orangey-yellow. Why not try out the subtleties of the different flavours?
Beetroot (Pink) Recipes
|
|
Black Nero (Cavolo) Cabbage - more info
Black nero cabbage is also known as cavolo cabbage or black kale. It looks a bit like an overgrown cross between spinach and chard, but tastes more like savoy cabbage. It's ideal in a box scheme because it tastes best fresh and gets bitter with age.
Black Nero (Cavolo) Cabbage Recipes
|
|
Black Radish - more info
This is an unusual radish, which can be eaten raw or cooked. We're currently working on recipes for black radish. If you've already got one, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Blackberry - more info
Blackberries are in season from late August to October. They are best used as soon as possible after picking. Luckily they freeze well, so you can enjoy them for longer. Make sure you check out these delicious recipes.
Blackberry Recipes
|
|
Broad Beans - more info
Broad beans are also known as fava beans. In the UK, we usually use them fresh, but they can also be dried and then used as pulses. They are one of the most common garden vegetables in the UK. You can eat them whole, podded or skinned, depending on their age and size.
Broad Beans Recipes
|
|
Broccoli (Sprouting) - more info
Sprouting broccoli (usually purple or white) is a delicious spring vegetable that has a long season. It cooks quickly and is packed with nutrients, with a more delicate flavour than full heads of calabrese.
Broccoli (Sprouting) Recipes
|
|
Brussels Sprouts - more info
Love 'em or hate 'em, Brussels Sprouts, like Marmite, are a food that everyone has an opinion on. But they're packed with nutrients and, cooked properly, are surprisingly tasty. So, if you can bring yourself to do it, check out our Brussels Sprouts recipes - with an open mind!
Brussels Sprouts Recipes
|
|
Butternut Squash - more info
This is a wonderfully healthy autumn vegetable and goes well in butternut squash soups, curries and bakes. Many people are put off by the fact you have to peel the skin and de-seed them before cooking, but this only takes a few minutes. Just make sure you've got a good potato peeler.
Butternut Squash Recipes
|
|
Calabrese - more info
Often termed "broccoli", this is actually calabrese. Tastes very similar, but in season at a different time and you cook it slightly differently. Heads are green or (more unusually) purple.
Calabrese Recipes
|
|
Carrots - more info
Carrots are one of the veggies that most people like. Even those into their "meat & 2 veg" would often find carrots on their plates. So here's a bit on the history of carrots, why they're so good for you, how to store them and even how to disguise them, for fussy eaters!
Carrots Recipes
|
|
Cauliflower - more info
Forget the stinky school dinners you used to have to endure, with over-cooked cauliflower slinking its way off your plate. This much-maligned vegetable is actually seriously nutritious and can be delicious, too, if you know what to do with it!
Cauliflower Recipes
|
|
Celeriac - more info
Celeriac is a common winter vegetable in the UK, but many people aren't sure how to cook it. It has a pungent flavour and can be bitter, but tends to absorb the flavours of other ingredients, so works well in soups, stews, mashes and bakes.
Celeriac Recipes
|
|
Chillies - more info
Chillies can be small, red and hot or larger, green and milder. Whatever your preference, be careful not to rub your eyes after cutting them...!
Chillies Recipes
|
|
Chinese Cabbage - more info
Chinese Cabbage (also known as Chinese leaf) is an autumn seasonal vegetable in the UK. Its distinctive shape makes it easy to recognise and it's versatile - you can use it raw, in stews, stir fries or as a side dish.
Chinese Cabbage Recipes
|
|
Courgette (Yellow) - more info
The courgette / zucchini can vary in colour from an intensely deep green to a bright yellow, depending on the variety. They can vary from carrot-sized to near marrow-sized. It's a good source of potassium and vitamin A, as well as being low in calories. They are in season from about May to July / August.
Courgette (Yellow) Recipes
|
|
Courgette (Zucchini) - more info
Courgette (often called zucchini) is classified as a "summer squash". It's another one of those vegetables often tortured by ancient school dinners...
Whether you've had some bad courgette experiences or just fancy giving them another go, here are some interesting facts and delicious recipes.
Courgette (Zucchini) Recipes
|
|
Cucumber - more info
Cucumbers don't usually require any special treatment. However, they do lose water once cut. So if you're serving them with a sauce or dressing and plan to store the dish for a while before serving, your sauce / dressing could get very running.
Cucumber Recipes
|
|
Elderberries - more info
Elderberries are a familiar late summer sight in British hedgerows. They're easy to spot, with their distinctive purple-black fruit hanging from the heavily-laden branches. For centuries, they have been used to make wine and syrups. If you're picking your own, make sure you read the safety notes in how to choose elderberries.
Elderberries Recipes
|
|
Fennel - more info
Some people find the aniseed flavour of the fennel bulb too strong, but chances are it's because they haven't discovered the right recipe yet. Discover how to enjoy this vegetable both raw and cooked.
Fennel Recipes
|
|
French Beans - more info
French Beans, sometimes known as green beans, fresh beans or haricots verts. They are either thin and straight or can be slightly thicker and flatter. When eaten young, with small inner beans, they are crunchy, sweet and delicious. When more mature, they provide dried beans, a valuable source of protein.
French Beans Recipes
|
|
French Beans (Purple) - more info
Yes, French beans also come in purple. But, before you get too excited, it's only fair to let you know that purple beans turn green when cooked - sorry!
French Beans (Purple) Recipes
|
|
French Beans (Waxpod) - more info
White waxpod beans are a type of French bean and are becoming common features of veg boxes. Some say they have a superior flavour to green French beans. They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.
French Beans (Waxpod) Recipes
|
|
Garlic - more info
Garlic can be fresh (more purple in colour) or dried (white / cream skin). Garlic is a true "super-food", being famous for its health properties long before "super-foods" became trendy. You can use it raw or cooked in thousands of recipes.
Garlic Recipes
|
|
Gem Squash - more info
Gem squash is small and round - about the size of a large grapefruit. It's deep green skin sets it apart from other squashes. It's often overlooked, in favour of its more famous cousins the butternut squash and pumpkin. Yet gem squash is worthy of its own recipes, with its orange flesh having a slightly sweeter flavour than other squashes.
Gem Squash Recipes
|
|
Ginger - more info
Ginger is often classified as a spice, but is actually a root. Not only does it add a wonderful spicy flavour to food, but it gives your energy levels a boost and is believed to have valuable health benefits. If you can get hold of it, fresh ginger has a wonderful flavour.
Ginger Recipes
|
|
Globe Artichoke - more info
This might be a high maintenance veggie, but it's a real treat. Though we admit it takes a bit of effort to eat! The main crop is available from July to September and the young artichokes can often be eaten with much less preparation than older varieties, where the "thistle" (actually the flower bud) is more pronounced and scratchy.
Globe Artichoke Recipes
|
|
Indian Corn - more info
This unusual South American corn is like sweetcorn. But much more visually impressive. It cooks like sweetcorn.
Indian Corn Recipes
|
|
Jerusalem Artichoke - more info
This vegetable is often confused with root ginger, yet the two couldn't be much more different. Jerusalem Artichoke has a tasty nutty flavour and is one of the best non-meat sources of iron, so it's well worth trying.
Jerusalem Artichoke Recipes
|
|
Kale - more info
Kale is a leafy cabbage-type vegetable. It's in season over the winter, which makes it a useful ingredient in the vegetable box. It's strong flavour requires careful cooking, so it's worth reading the tips, to make sure you don't let it get too bitter.
Kale Recipes
|
|
Kohlrabi - more info
Kohl rabi (or kohlrabi) is one of the vegetables that makes a regular appearance in veg boxes, but sits, unused, in the corner of the fridge until it slowly goes off. Sometimes it arrives complete with its alien tentacles, sometimes it's trimmed. Sometimes it's green, sometimes it's purple.
Kohlrabi Recipes
|
|
Leeks - more info
Leeks are in season over the winter and provide a useful source of fresh vitamins and nutrients when we don't have any salad vegetables. They provide the same health benefits as onion and garlic, such as boosting your immune system and even lowering cholesterol, but you need to eat more leeks to get the same effect.
Leeks Recipes
|
|
Lemongrass - more info
Lemongrass is a traditional flavouring used in Thai food, to give that authentic Thai taste. It's delicious, but quite strong, so use sparingly. We're currently working on recipes for lemongrass. If you've already got one, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Mange Tout - more info
Mange tout are immature pea pods which are eaten whole. They are also known as sugar snap peas or snow peas. "Mange tout" literally means "eat it all".
Mange Tout Recipes
|
|
Mushrooms - more info
The vast majority of mushrooms sold in the UK are the white mushroom variety agaricus bisporus. These are either seen as button mushrooms, close cup mushrooms, open cup mushrooms and large open cup mushrooms. Only a tiny minority are the more specialist varieties, which include chestnut, shitake, porcini and oyster.
Mushrooms Recipes
|
|
Okra - more info
Okra is an unusual vegetable, often used in Indian cooking. We're currently working on recipes for it. If you already have one, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Onion (Red) - more info
Red onions are less common than white onions and many argue they have a more delicate flavour. They are delicious raw, in salads, and can be substituted for white onions in most recipes.
Onion (Red) Recipes
|
|
Onions (White) - more info
Onions are famous as a cheap, readily available vegetable for bulking out dishes and giving more flavour. But did you know they're also rumoured to ward off colds and give your immune system a boost? Luckily there are literally thousands of ways of using onions and benefitting from its properties.
Onions (White) Recipes
|
|
Oranges - more info
Oranges can either be deliciously sweet (e.g. Valencia) or strikingly bitter (e.g. Seville). The sweeter the orange, the more subtle the flavour, is the general rule. Although they're not grown commercially in the UK, we've included them on the site because they're so often part of veg box scheme fruit bags.
Oranges Recipes
|
|
Pak Choi (Bok Choy) - more info
Pak Choi (also known as bok choi or Peking cabbage) is a Chinese cabbage. It's commonly used in stir fry and spring rolls. Being in season from October to March makes it a common autumn and winter veg box ingredient.
Pak Choi (Bok Choy) Recipes
|
|
Parsley - more info
Parsley is (yet another) "super-food". It might seem like a humble garden herb, but it's actually a excellent source of iron and vitamin C.
Parsley Recipes
|
|
Parsnip - more info
Parsnips are a staple of winter veg boxes - you may find yourself getting them many weeks in a row. Early in the season they're small and sweet. Later in the season they can be more woody.
Parsnip Recipes
|
|
Patty Pan Squash - more info
Patty pans are summer squashes, meaning they're more like courgettes than butternut squash. Trim the ends and cook them lightly, until they're just soft. They're really tasty. We're currently working on recipes for patty pan squash. If you've got one already, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Peas - more info
Green peas are usually seen in their frozen pea form, but they're readily availble fresh, in their pods, from May to September. Podding peas takes a little effort, but the contents are so fresh and juicy that it's a summer treat, not to be missed.
Peas Recipes
|
|
Peppers - more info
Sweet peppers (rather than chilli peppers) are sometimes known as "capsicum". They are widely grown in the UK for box schemes, though usually under a polytunnel, as it can be difficult to get them to ripen outdoors, in our climate.
Peppers Recipes
|
|
Physalis - more info
For many years I thought "physalis" was called "syphalis" - slightly different meaning... But actually this fruit is delicious. It's traditionally washed and then dipped in chocolate. And it's easy to grow in a greenhouse or conservatory.
Physalis Recipes
|
|
Potatoes - more info
Potatoes come in many shapes and sizes and are usually a standard item in a veg box. In summer, you'll get new potatoes and salad potatoes. In winter and spring you'll be getting stored potatoes from last season.
Potatoes Recipes
|
|
Pumpkin - more info
There's much more to pumpkins than the fun of carving at Halloween. They work equally well in sweet or savoury dishes and they're packed with nutrients. Find out more about pumpkins and how to enjoy them.
Pumpkin Recipes
|
|
Purple Cauliflower - more info
Purple cauliflower - yes, the colour is for real! If you're lucky enough to get this in your veg box, here's how to store it and how to cook it so it stays purple.
Purple Cauliflower Recipes
|
|
Radicchio - more info
Radicchio is commonly used as a salad leaf, though it can also be cooked. It has a bitter flavour, so use sparingly. We're currently working on recipes for radicchio. If you've already got one, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Radish - more info
Radishes are in season from April to September, but are often available outside of this period. They're best known for their distinctive peppery taste, spicing up salads.
Radish Recipes
|
|
Red Cabbage - more info
Red cabbage has a sweeter flavour than plain white cabbage, though not as strong as savoy. Did you know...? If red cabbage is grown on an alkaline soil, it has a blue colour. If grown on an acidic soil, it has a more reddish colour...
Red Cabbage Recipes
|
|
Red Spring Onions - more info
Spring onions are often thought to be immature white onions, but they're actually a separate variety. This variety comes in red, which makes an interseting contrast in salads.
Red Spring Onions Recipes
|
|
Rhubarb - more info
Rhubarb stalks are one of the first signs that spring is on its way. Forced rhubarb is often available from February onwards and can be used in a wide range of recipes. It's quite tart, so needs the addition of something sweet to make it more palatable.
Rhubarb Recipes
|
|
Romanesco - more info
Romanesco looks like an intricate forest of Christmas trees! It has to be one of the most amazing-looking vegetables we've ever seen. It's almost too beautiful to eat! (Ok, but you get what we mean!). It's actually a member of the cauliflower family and has a similar taste to cauliflower.
Romanesco Recipes
|
|
Runner Beans - more info
Late summer and early autumn are the classic "runner bean season". The season starts with fresh, young beans, with delicious, soft pods. And it ends with tougher, stringy pods and oversized beans.
Runner Beans Recipes
|
|
Sage - more info
Sage is a versatile herb. It tends to be around over the winter, making it a great addition to warming soups, stews and bakes. Pull the leaves off the stem and chop before using. It has a strong flavour, so use sparingly.
|
|
Savoy Cabbage - more info
Savoy Cabbage is delicious and packed with flavour. It's season is shorter than traditional white or red cabbage, so make the most of it while it's in. We're currently working on Savoy Cabbage recipes. If you've got one already, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Shallots - more info
Shallots are a member of the onion family, but are sweeter and more delicately flavoured. They are more fiddly to use (more peeling per 100g!), but can be a real treat.
|
|
Spaghetti Squash - more info
Spaghetti squash gets its name because, when cooked, the flesh looks like strands of spaghetti. It's easy to cook with a tasty flavour and you can use it in place of butternut squash in any recipe.
Spaghetti Squash Recipes
|
|
Spinach - more info
Thanks to Pop-Eye, spinach is one of the most famous of vegetables - though it's not the most popular... Too many of us have memories of slimey, over-cooked spinach from our childhood. Luckily it's surprisingly appetising, if cooked properly!
Spinach Recipes
|
|
Spring Onions - more info
Spring onions are often thought to be immature white onions, but they're actually a separate variety. Depending on the type, they can have a strong flavour and are commonly used in salads and stir fries. Although called "spring" onions, they are in season from April to October.
Spring Onions Recipes
|
|
Swede (Rutabaga) - more info
Known as "swede" in the UK and rutabaga in the USA, this root vegetable often brings back memories of school dinners... They are often confused with turnips. Find out how to cook it in tasty recipes.
Swede (Rutabaga) Recipes
|
|
Sweet Potato - more info
Sweet potatoes are commonly eaten in the USA, but are less common in the UK, where they can be harder to grow. Yet they're really versatile and keep for ages. We're currently working on recipes for sweet potatoes. If you've got one already, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Sweetcorn - more info
Sweetcorn is a summer treat. In-season, it's plentiful and affordable. But, alas, the season is short... Because sweetcorn loses its flavour so quickly, imported produce is normally air freighted, so best avoided. Eat it as soon as possible after picking.
Sweetcorn Recipes
|
|
Swiss Chard (Red) - more info
Swiss chard is another one of those vegetables that tends to arrive in large, unexplained bundles in your veg box! It doesn't keep for long, so you should make it one of the first things you use from your weekly box. Its earthy taste is a little stronger than spinach.
Swiss Chard (Red) Recipes
|
|
Swiss Chard (White) - more info
Swiss Chard is often called "Rainbow Chard" because it comes in red, white and yellow stalk colours. The flavours are similar, but why not experiment?
Swiss Chard (White) Recipes
|
|
Swiss Chard (Yellow) - more info
Swiss chard is also available in yellow, completing the "rainbow".
Swiss Chard (Yellow) Recipes
|
|
Thyme (Variegated) - more info
Variegated thyme is a beautiful herb - and it's also delicious. Use sparingly, because the flavour is strong. You can either put whole twigs into a dish, to remove at the end of cooking, or you can slide your fingers along the twig to remove the leaves and chop these.
|
|
Tomatoes - more info
Tomatoes are a delicious and welcome sign that summer is here! And they crop right through until the first frosts of autumn. Anyone who has tried home-grown / veg box tomatoes will know their flavour and texture is vastly superior to standard supermarket tomatoes.
Tomatoes Recipes
|
|
Turban Squash - more info
Turban Squash is an unusual squash variety in the supermarkets, but often appears in veg boxes and at farm shops or farmers' markets. It's delicious and can be substituted for gem squash or butternut squash in most recipes.
Turban Squash Recipes
|
|
Turnip - more info
Turnip is a traditional British winter vegetable. It's often confused with swede, but it's actually quite different. Turnips are usually smaller, with purple on their skin and creamy white flesh. Swedes are larger, with tougher dark skin and orange-coloured flesh.
Turnip Recipes
|
|
Watercress - more info
Watercress might be tricky to grow, but it's easy to use and packed with nutrients. It makes delicious salads and soups.
Watercress Recipes
|
|
White Radish - more info
White radish is a winter root vegetable, often used in Japanese cooking. We're currently working on recipes for it. If you've got one already, please send it to us. Thank you!
|
|
Yellow Tomatoes - more info
Yellow tomatoes make a pleasant change from the familiar red ones. They tend to have a slightly sweeter flavour, but that also depends on how sunny it was where they were grown! They look great in salads.
Yellow Tomatoes Recipes
|
