Shortage of Broccoli!
lesdarts180
Posts: 3,063 Member
Help! The UK is suffering a shortage of broccoli and cauliflower! (Weather conditions apparently)
Both of these are my staple veggies to fulfil my usual diet (WOE, now in maintenance). I go for high volume, high fibre, fairly low calorie meals and low cal veggies are essential. Luckily, I have a good supply of runner beans from my boyfriends allotment but I'm running out of ideas. What are the rest of you doing?
Both of these are my staple veggies to fulfil my usual diet (WOE, now in maintenance). I go for high volume, high fibre, fairly low calorie meals and low cal veggies are essential. Luckily, I have a good supply of runner beans from my boyfriends allotment but I'm running out of ideas. What are the rest of you doing?
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Replies
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lesdarts180 wrote: »Help! The UK is suffering a shortage of broccoli and cauliflower! (Weather conditions apparently)
Both of these are my staple veggies to fulfil my usual diet (WOE, now in maintenance). I go for high volume, high fibre, fairly low calorie meals and low cal veggies are essential. Luckily, I have a good supply of runner beans from my boyfriends allotment but I'm running out of ideas. What are the rest of you doing?
Buy frozen? They are harvested and flash-frozen at their peak, and can oft times be more nutritious than 'fresh' anyway.
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Another vote for frozen. I probably wouldn't like frozen broccoli, but I think I'd be fine with frozen cauliflower.3
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kshama2001 wrote: »Another vote for frozen. I probably wouldn't like frozen broccoli, but I think I'd be fine with frozen cauliflower.
I've used it and it's fine, especially in stir frys.3 -
What about all of the other low calorie vegetables? There are more than 3 you know.17
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As someone who just had a pound of frozen broccoli florets for dinner, go frozen! It's as good as or even better than fresh, since freezing it helps preserve all the nutrients8
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Last time I tried frozen cauli it was disgusting - very soft - I like my veg crunchy. I suppose I could try a stirfry. I'll see whether my local supermarket has any tomorrow. How long before they sell out?5
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lesdarts180 wrote: »Last time I tried frozen cauli it was disgusting - very soft - I like my veg crunchy. I suppose I could try a stirfry. I'll see whether my local supermarket has any tomorrow. How long before they sell out?
Are you eating it raw? If not, you're overcooking it. No idea how long before they sell out. Sorry.3 -
lesdarts180 wrote: »Help! The UK is suffering a shortage of broccoli and cauliflower! (Weather conditions apparently)
Both of these are my staple veggies to fulfil my usual diet (WOE, now in maintenance). I go for high volume, high fibre, fairly low calorie meals and low cal veggies are essential. Luckily, I have a good supply of runner beans from my boyfriends allotment but I'm running out of ideas. What are the rest of you doing?
Really?
Did you read this in The Sun or the Daily Mail by any chance? 😉
Plenty of both vegetables in shops and supermarkets where I live! If it’s not the weather I’m sure it’s Brexit! 🙄10 -
lesdarts180 wrote: »Last time I tried frozen cauli it was disgusting - very soft - I like my veg crunchy. I suppose I could try a stirfry. I'll see whether my local supermarket has any tomorrow. How long before they sell out?
Ya, I like my vegetables crunchy as well and last time I tried frozen broccoli (which was a very long time ago), it was soft too.2 -
I have yet to find frozen brocolli that tastes even remotely like the real deal.
Try steamed sugar snap peas. They'll give you that crunchy texture you get with raw or lightly steamed brocolli.7 -
I'm waiting for some more pole bean to be ready so I can make this again: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10686125/pasta-green-beans-and-potatoes-with-pesto0
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Are brussel sprouts, kale, collard greens, bok choi, mustard greens, turnips, radishes and other cruciferous veggies still available?7
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I can get sprouts, I don't like kale, collard greens- I don't know what they are.
I like sugar snaps but I'm trying to avoid buying stuff that has to be flown in from abroad. Trying to eat local.
I heard it on radio 4, and my local shops have very little or none in stock, they agree they can't get them.3 -
We love broccoli, too. I was surprised at how delicious frozen broccoli came out when I roasted it. Granted, I enjoy a softer cooked vegetable.kshama2001 wrote: »Another vote for frozen. I probably wouldn't like frozen broccoli, but I think I'd be fine with frozen cauliflower.
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lesdarts180 wrote: »I can get sprouts, I don't like kale, collard greens- I don't know what they are.
I like sugar snaps but I'm trying to avoid buying stuff that has to be flown in from abroad. Trying to eat local.
I heard it on radio 4, and my local shops have very little or none in stock, they agree they can't get them.
I do the same in season, but if local isn't available, I'll buy either frozen or flown in because, at the end of the day, it still supports a farmer somewhere.6 -
What about all of the other low calorie vegetables? There are more than 3 you know.
This was my thought.
Zucchini (or whatever you call it over there), summer squash, radishes, turnips, all kinds of greens (my chard is out of control currently, but there are so many more too), cucumbers, tomatoes, leeks, fennel, peppers, string beans, fresh peas, fresh favas, asparagus, celery, celeriac, carrots, brussels, so on.
I don't know what's local to you, but these are all local for me.4 -
snickerscharlie wrote: »lesdarts180 wrote: »I can get sprouts, I don't like kale, collard greens- I don't know what they are.
I like sugar snaps but I'm trying to avoid buying stuff that has to be flown in from abroad. Trying to eat local.
I heard it on radio 4, and my local shops have very little or none in stock, they agree they can't get them.
I do the same in season, but if local isn't available, I'll buy either frozen or flown in because, at the end of the day, it still supports a farmer somewhere.
I was just thinking the same thing!3 -
I do, of course, use all sorts of salad veg and my cupboards and fridge are full of veggies. My children tease me that there's nothing but fruit and veg in the house. I'm not vegetarian but I do max out on veg. This was really just meant to be a light-hearted discussion of alternatives given the current shortage of two of my favourites.
@BarbaraHelen2013 , I'm trying not to think about Brexit and what may happen after October 31st.
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lesdarts180 wrote: »I do, of course, use all sorts of salad veg and my cupboards and fridge are full of veggies. My children tease me that there's nothing but fruit and veg in the house. I'm not vegetarian but I do max out on veg. This was really just meant to be a light-hearted discussion of alternatives given the current shortage of two of my favourites.
@BarbaraHelen2013 ,I'm trying not to think about Brexit and what may happen after October 31st.
I’m pretty sure normal daily life will carry on as usual! There may be the odd blip as supply chains are readjusted but honestly, all the ‘end of the world’ hype that certain media outlets love to generate is just that...baseless hype designed to get the hard of thinking in panic mode because that gives them more stories to sensationalise!
I have every faith that there will still be abundant food and resources available. The very worst that might happen is that we have to adjust our buying habits temporarily to encompass fresh, local seasonal produce more than expensive hot house imports. But I’m one who thinks that’s not actually a worst case scenario, anyway!
Actually...the most likely thing will be shortage of loo roll, because that’s what people always hoard in times of uncertainty in Britain! 😂🤷♀️14 -
If I didn’t buy fresh veggies cuz they’re not locally grown, I wouldn’t have fresh veggies/fruit for most of the year. I prefer my veggies al dente, or raw, so I buy fresh. I don’t like mushy vegetables, for the most part.5
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BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »lesdarts180 wrote: »I do, of course, use all sorts of salad veg and my cupboards and fridge are full of veggies. My children tease me that there's nothing but fruit and veg in the house. I'm not vegetarian but I do max out on veg. This was really just meant to be a light-hearted discussion of alternatives given the current shortage of two of my favourites.
@BarbaraHelen2013 ,I'm trying not to think about Brexit and what may happen after October 31st.
I’m pretty sure normal daily life will carry on as usual! There may be the odd blip as supply chains are readjusted but honestly, all the ‘end of the world’ hype that certain media outlets love to generate is just that...baseless hype designed to get the hard of thinking in panic mode because that gives them more stories to sensationalise!
I have every faith that there will still be abundant food and resources available. The very worst that might happen is that we have to adjust our buying habits temporarily to encompass fresh, local seasonal produce more than expensive hot house imports. But I’m one who thinks that’s not actually a worst case scenario, anyway!
Actually...the most likely thing will be shortage of loo roll, because that’s what people always hoard in times of uncertainty in Britain! 😂🤷♀️
Do you think that we produce enough of that for everyone, in late October / early November?8 -
Nope, probably not, if you’re talking about the summer produce. But it depends on what fresh vegetables you’re looking for. Long before we imported so much of our produce people did eat vegetables. Cabbages, leeks, marrow/courgette, carrots, sprouts, swede, turnip, parsnips (yuk), onions...and don’t forget long term storage has moved on since those days. Ethane filled storage facilities can keep fruit and vegetables in virtually fresh picked state until demand calls for shipment. Yes, the clock starts at that point, but that’s no different than loading a cabbage onto a truck straight from the field.
Whilst I totally agree with those above who don’t like frozen broccoli or cauliflower due to the mushy texture there are vegetables that survive the freezing process better than others. Most people will have a bag of frozen peas in their freezers as they sit and read this, I’m sure! I know I have broad beans, fine green beans, peas and spinach in the freezer at all times.
It’s also true that we import a lot of things from outside the EU anyway. Those trade agreements should not be disrupted.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a ‘remainer’ but I honestly doubt the entirety of the UK is going to slump into a malnutrition induced haze due to Brexit! I could, however, be wrong and it will be the end of the world! 😱😉5 -
Interesting info & videos on broccoli
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/broccoli/
About frozen vs fresh, this dr also suggests that frozen loses sulforaphane bioavailability and this could be countered by adding mustard powder.
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Well, I went shopping this morning. First to the Co-op supermarket where I do most of my shopping. The sugarsnaps were from Peru, the brussel sprouts from South Africa, even the frozen broccoli was from Portugal. They didn't have any cauli or ordinary broccoli but they did have tenderstem broccoli from Worcestershire (which is only an hour up the road) so I got that. I also got british carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and mushrooms.
Second, I looked in the greengrocer (where I ought to shop more) and they did have broccoli but no cauli, however, they did have romanesque (have I spelt that properly?) which I do like but is a bit pricey, and anyway, I already had the tenderstem.
Then, in the interests of research I went to ASDA - which had British broccoli, and cauli from Holland. I have to admit, I bought a cauli.
I didn't visit Waitrose - perhaps I'll continue my research there tomorrow.4 -
Interesting info & videos on broccoli
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/broccoli/
About frozen vs fresh, this dr also suggests that frozen loses sulforaphane bioavailability and this could be countered by adding mustard powder.
Interesting. I grow broccoli sprouts. They are very high in sulforaphne in the sprout state. Great on sandwiches and salads. Very easy to grow and store.0 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »Nope, probably not, if you’re talking about the summer produce. But it depends on what fresh vegetables you’re looking for. Long before we imported so much of our produce people did eat vegetables. Cabbages, leeks, marrow/courgette, carrots, sprouts, swede, turnip, parsnips (yuk), onions...and don’t forget long term storage has moved on since those days. Ethane filled storage facilities can keep fruit and vegetables in virtually fresh picked state until demand calls for shipment. Yes, the clock starts at that point, but that’s no different than loading a cabbage onto a truck straight from the field.
Whilst I totally agree with those above who don’t like frozen broccoli or cauliflower due to the mushy texture there are vegetables that survive the freezing process better than others. Most people will have a bag of frozen peas in their freezers as they sit and read this, I’m sure! I know I have broad beans, fine green beans, peas and spinach in the freezer at all times.
It’s also true that we import a lot of things from outside the EU anyway. Those trade agreements should not be disrupted.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a ‘remainer’ but I honestly doubt the entirety of the UK is going to slump into a malnutrition induced haze due to Brexit! I could, however, be wrong and it will be the end of the world! 😱😉
Yes, yes they did. Of course, back in those days there were a lot fewer people and a lot more farming, so I'm not sure what your point is?
It doesn't matter how 'fresh' we can keep our fruit and veg when we just don't actually produce very much. And the people who've really been sounding the alarm on fresh fruit and veg aren't the media. They're the supermarkets. Who are probably in a position to know.7 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »Nope, probably not, if you’re talking about the summer produce. But it depends on what fresh vegetables you’re looking for. Long before we imported so much of our produce people did eat vegetables. Cabbages, leeks, marrow/courgette, carrots, sprouts, swede, turnip, parsnips (yuk), onions...and don’t forget long term storage has moved on since those days. Ethane filled storage facilities can keep fruit and vegetables in virtually fresh picked state until demand calls for shipment. Yes, the clock starts at that point, but that’s no different than loading a cabbage onto a truck straight from the field.
Whilst I totally agree with those above who don’t like frozen broccoli or cauliflower due to the mushy texture there are vegetables that survive the freezing process better than others. Most people will have a bag of frozen peas in their freezers as they sit and read this, I’m sure! I know I have broad beans, fine green beans, peas and spinach in the freezer at all times.
It’s also true that we import a lot of things from outside the EU anyway. Those trade agreements should not be disrupted.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a ‘remainer’ but I honestly doubt the entirety of the UK is going to slump into a malnutrition induced haze due to Brexit! I could, however, be wrong and it will be the end of the world! 😱😉
Yes, yes they did. Of course, back in those days there were a lot fewer people and a lot more farming, so I'm not sure what your point is?
It doesn't matter how 'fresh' we can keep our fruit and veg when we just don't actually produce very much. And the people who've really been sounding the alarm on fresh fruit and veg aren't the media. They're the supermarkets. Who are probably in a position to know.
I didn’t really originally have a point! I originally just made a slightly tongue in cheek reference to Brexit, which then appeared to be taken up as a serious worry so I was just trying to sound a voice of reassurance and reason. I’ll shut up now though! 😊6 -
missysippy930 wrote: »If I didn’t buy fresh veggies cuz they’re not locally grown, I wouldn’t have fresh veggies/fruit for most of the year. I prefer my veggies al dente, or raw, so I buy fresh. I don’t like mushy vegetables, for the most part.
I'm the same but for some greens that I buy frozen and tomatoes which I buy canned in the winter since I hate non-local tomatoes for the most part.
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BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »Nope, probably not, if you’re talking about the summer produce. But it depends on what fresh vegetables you’re looking for. Long before we imported so much of our produce people did eat vegetables. Cabbages, leeks, marrow/courgette, carrots, sprouts, swede, turnip, parsnips (yuk), onions...and don’t forget long term storage has moved on since those days. Ethane filled storage facilities can keep fruit and vegetables in virtually fresh picked state until demand calls for shipment. Yes, the clock starts at that point, but that’s no different than loading a cabbage onto a truck straight from the field.
Whilst I totally agree with those above who don’t like frozen broccoli or cauliflower due to the mushy texture there are vegetables that survive the freezing process better than others. Most people will have a bag of frozen peas in their freezers as they sit and read this, I’m sure! I know I have broad beans, fine green beans, peas and spinach in the freezer at all times.
It’s also true that we import a lot of things from outside the EU anyway. Those trade agreements should not be disrupted.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a ‘remainer’ but I honestly doubt the entirety of the UK is going to slump into a malnutrition induced haze due to Brexit! I could, however, be wrong and it will be the end of the world! 😱😉
Yes, yes they did. Of course, back in those days there were a lot fewer people and a lot more farming, so I'm not sure what your point is?
It doesn't matter how 'fresh' we can keep our fruit and veg when we just don't actually produce very much. And the people who've really been sounding the alarm on fresh fruit and veg aren't the media. They're the supermarkets. Who are probably in a position to know.
I didn’t really originally have a point! I originally just made a slightly tongue in cheek reference to Brexit, which then appeared to be taken up as a serious worry so I was just trying to sound a voice of reassurance and reason. I’ll shut up now though! 😊
The reason that Brexit was taken up as a serious worry is that it is actually a serious worry. The supermarkets first warned about the possibility of fresh produce shortages back in February.6 -
(...but in the meantime, I'd recommend courgette. Or maybe marrow, if anyone still sells marrows.)1
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