Where to get the best produce.

8:53am Monday 31st December 2007

According to the Earthwatch Institute, UK households bought an estimated 830 million sprouts just for Christmas - as well as hundreds of tonnes of potatoes, parsnips, carrots and other assorted veg.

If, like many others, your home has an excess of leftover veg now that the holiday season is nearly over, why not make good use of it with a traditional recipe for using up leftovers - bubble and squeak.

Bubble and squeak is typically served with cold meats (more leftovers from your Christmas meals) and pickles as an evening meal - but you could also serve it for breakfast with eggs, baked beans, fried tomatoes, sausages and bacon.

Although cabbage is the traditioanally used with the potatoes in bubble and squeak, you can also use Brussels sprouts, or a combination of other vegetables. At this time of year some leftover diced carrot, swede and parsnips would be great. A little chopped red onion adds some extra flavour too. You can toss in a few herbs, too.

So, don't worry about going out in the cold for even more shopping, cook up your extra veggies to make some warming winter meals.

Bubble and Squeak IngredientsAbout a 1lb of left over boiled, mashed or roasted potatoesAbout 1/2lb to 1lb of leftover cabbage or Brussels sproutsA little butter or oilsalt and black pepperAdding any extra pre-cooked veggies or red onion is optional.Now, either mash, or roughly chop the potatoes into bite-size chunks. Chop or break up the cabbage or sprouts into bite-size pieces too and mix both these together, adding a little salt or pepper to the mixture.

Then, add a little oil or butter to a frying pan and heat on a medium heat. When the oil or butter is heated, add the cabbage, sprouts and potatoes and form into a patty and let it cook over a medium heat.

When the bottom of the patty turns a golden brown colour you'll need to flip it over to cook on the other sideand then, you're done.

Next weekends' farmers markets are at: Victoria Square, Droitwich, on Saturday, January 5, 9am-2pm.

Royal Worcester Porcelain, Worcester, on Sunday, January 6, 10am-2pm.

CAROLINE WRIGHT

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