Secondly I keep being told by people that "they can't afford to buy local and organic" foods like we do. This fills me alternately with both rage and sadness and I struggle to see things from their perspective. I realize it has a lot to do with values. I'm willing to spend a bit more at the market because I think the food tastes better, is fresher and I like to talk to the people who grow it. It's worth mentioning these same folks who 'can't afford to buy local/organic' own multiple big gas guzzling vehicles and have a flat screen that's approximately the same size as the Jumbotron at the Air Canada Centre. Meanwhile over here at Casa Hillman-Teneycke we ride transit and much to the Hubs' chargin have a crappy off brand Eastern European 21 inch TV that I'm pretty sure is called a "Suny"...
So I am torn. How do I justify spending more on some foods when we are supposed to be cutting back? About a month ago the results of a study made their way around the associated press and all my social media feeds. The study by Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont compared prices at farmers markets with conventional supermarkets across the state and the results were surprising. Their researchers found that prices at farmers' markets were lower for many conventionally produced grocery items than they were at supermarkets. For organic items, farmers' markets beat grocery stores every time hands down.
I'd be curious to see a comparison of prices from markets around Ontario but I think I already know how the Toronto markets especially would stack up in comparison. As much as I support the farmers markets I have to admit even I find some of the prices hard to swallow and wonder will I be able to keep this up when I'm out of work? After choking over spending $7 on a handful of rhubarb a couple of weeks ago I thought to myself "no wonder people call us downtown elite!"
Regardless, I remain convinced with a bit of work and planning we can continue to eat delicious and interesting food that is still sustainable during my period of being "at liberty" (I've decided saying I'm "at liberty" is nicer than saying I'm on the dole).
Recently a friend was thinning out her bookshelves and gave me a first pass at her cast offs before donating them. One of the books I came home with was Delia Smith's Frugal Food. Originally published in the 1970s when Britain (and North America) were gripped in a recession and gas crisis the book was recently reissued basically as is with only a newly added introduction and a handful of new notes. It's now 32 years later and the recipes and tips for saving money hold up surprisingly well.
But don't listen to me, listen to the woman herself. Here's some of what Ms. Smith had to say about her book in the Telegraph upon it's reissue:
Recession, the gathering clouds of financial doom, the prospect of impending food shortages, and the effects of climate change and global warming are all contributing to, if not a complete turn-about, then a serious rethink about what we cook, what we eat, and more alarmingly what we throw away. Of course, the problems were precisely the same then, and I recall being asked by the Government at the time to do some TV ads along with the actor John Alderton on how to save energy.
How strange it is that since those frugal days we have all been swept along on a tide of affluence, when T-shirts can be worn in overheated homes and shops in the depths of winter, when five-year-olds have mobile phones and TV in the bedroom, and we want to eat only the leanest meat and poultry in the shape of fillets or breasts - and the rest of the poor animal is unwanted. Yet despite our obsession with health and diet, as a nation we are more obese than we ever were.
Maybe global recession is a timely reminder that we have lost direction and need to get back on track. Eating more frugally is a challenge, but can often be more fun. Using cheaper cuts of meat, cooking meals with no meat or simply enjoying good square meals instead of junk food is actually more satisfying. And just think - to sit round a table and eat a substantial, beautifully cooked meal can cost less per head than a sandwich in a pub.
God I love this woman!
In the coming weeks you'll see some changes in my posts. More scratch cooking, less meat and more plant based meals. If possible I'll even show you my grocery receipts and I'll dust off my math skills and calculate the costs per meal and serving (because god knows I'll need something to do now that Oprah is off the air - seriously she had to quit her show now when I was finally in a position to watch daily? Pfft!)
I'd love to get some of your best budget meals and tips, please share them in the comments below!
But now it's getting late and in the spirit of Frugal Food I'm going to share one of our favourite cheap dinners. Later in the summer when the zucchinis are going crazy this is a great way to use them up.
Zucchini Pancakes or Fritters
4 cups shredded zucchini (this would be 3 or 4 small zucchini or 1 of the super large giant beasts that hide in the garden and then surprise you)
1 cup flour (plus more if your zucchini is very watery)
2 eggs
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped chives or minced green onion
black pepper to taste
Oil for the griddle
Grate your zucchini and drain in a colander. I like to press down on the zucchini with a clean tea towel and weight it down with a heavy can of tomatoes or cast iron pan to try and get as much of the water out as possible. The more water you get out the less flour you will need to add. I like to leave it draining in the sink for at least an hour but often I'll grate the zucchini in the morning before work so it's ready to use when I get home.
Combine all ingredients. The mix should be quite thick and almost resemble a potato latke. Add more flour if needed.
Fry in a small amount of oil until well golden on both sides. I like to serve these with a homemade ranch dressing or even just sour cream. Makes about 8 to 10 fritters or pancakes.
