Waste Not Want Not - Ugly veggies

Reduced food and Ugly Vegetables

I was lucky growing up both my dad and granddad grew there own vegetables.  So I learnt early on that ugly funny shaped veggies tasted just as good as the perfect ones.

In supermarkets the only different between pretty and ugly vegetables is the price.  Ugly veggies are cheaper, so why pay more? 

Another tip is to buy your vegetables loose, instead of pre-packed it's a lot cheaper and you only buy what you need.  Why buy a large bag of Carrots when you know there is no way you will be able to use them all before they turn soft!!!!

The reduced section is the same, some items are discontinued stock which has nothing wrong with them.  Packages that have burst and been wrapped in cling film, or tins that have a few bashes from being knocked about. 

The ugly veg and reduced section is the supermarkets way of reducing waste and still making some money back from a product.  So why not take advantage off it and save yourself some money in the process


Yesterday I discovered Pre- chopped Casserole Vegetables in the reduced section, selling for 40p.  There sell by date was for that day, however I knew I could do something with them.

Spanish Vegetable Stew


Tin of Chopped Tomato - 0.39 p

Salsa - £1.00

Casserole Vegetables (reduced) - 0.40 p


Pantry Items

Salt & Pepper - to taste

Sun dried tomato paste - 1tbsp

Smoked Paprika - 1 tsp

Cost = £1.79

Made 3 Portions = 59p per portions

Roast vegetables

Roasting vegetables is a great way of getting more flavour from them.  Especially if there not at there best.  All they need is a spray of a little veg oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  If there pre-chopped 30mins roasting time at 180 Celsius is all they need. 

While the vegetables were roasting I added the chopped tomatoes, salsa, sundried tomato paste and smoked paprika into a pan.  I cooked the sauce over a low heat and checked the seasoning, if I didn't have any sundried tomato paste. (normal tomato paste or tomato ketchup would work just as well)

Once the roasted veg are cooked, I add them to the sauce and cook for another 20 min's. 

Love Ugly Vegetables, there just as nature intended

xxxxx