I am so glad we have an allotment! It has (albeit slowly) brought about so many good changes in my life that I thought I’d share.
We’ve had our allotment for eleven years now and it’s still a case of trial and error, but it has been wonderful to grow so much of our own food. We now primarily eat food that’s in season, although we do of course freeze our surplus. I’m also much more experimental with cooking as some food (marrows anyone?) has not been high on my list when it comes to choosing to cook it. I’ve been pushed into finding recipes that previously I wouldn’t have tried and as a consequence I’ve discovered that yes, even marrows and cucumbers (other vegetables are available) can be made into something delicious.
I’ve learned how to make tasty wine, cider, and liqueurs. I’ve incorporated many more vegetables into home baked cakes - and now do as much baking as I used to do when the children were at home. I love creating home-made jellies, jams, marmalades, chutneys and pickles and in addition to my usual ‘go to’ recipes I’ve begun to experiment with different combinations and flavours. When the grandchildren are here they see the full gamut of stages of food growth from planting the seeds, to picking, preparing and eating the produce. It also forces me to go out and be physically active.
My children are delighted to be the recipients of much of my efforts and now engage in discussions about what should be grown/made/baked next. One son recently bought me several fruit trees and I make him his favourite fig jam, another brings me some of the fish/lobsters/crabs he catches and goes away with jam, elderflower cordial and a couple of cakes.
In short, having an allotment is hard work, unpredictable and eats into my time, but it has been the catalyst for some really good changes in my life.
So, what changes have you made or would like to make?
Name, Place, Animal, Object 10
Good Morning Friday 25th April 2024