Wednesday 10 June 2009

Abel & Cole Organic Veg Box


I have been interested in the organic veg boxes from Abel & Cole for quite some time. It's one of those things where I heard quite a lot about them and wanted to try one but really been too lazy to organise to receive one. It's not all that hard to organise, I'm just quite lazy at best of times. ;)

There's a simple search field on Abel & Cole's homepage where you can enter your postcode and you'll get told straight away if they deliver in your area. If they do, it's simple to set up a account.

When I was asked if I was interested to receive and review a box I said yes please straight away. Finally I would be able to judge the quality of the produce as well as the mix of vegetables and fruits, two things I had been having questions about.

It's been about a week since we discussed this and I've been waiting impatiently for my box to arrive. Yesterday it was finally waiting for me when I got back from work. Since I can't really be at home to pick up deliveries I had specified a place where the driver could leave my box, something every customer can specify on their account pages.

Breathlessly, there's a couple of flights of stairs up to my flat, I opened the box to find the following content.


Apples
Carrots
Courgettes
Little Gem Lettuce
Mini Watermelon
Nectarines
Potatoes
Red Pepper
Spring Greens
Onions

My first two questions were answered straight away, everything was of good quality and the mix was quite useful. I would buy most of these vegetables during a normal weeks shopping so they'll all come in handy.

I have to admit that I have never cooked with spring greens but I'm sure I'll find some use for them. Also, I have to add that the potatoes did not come in the plastic bag you can see on the photo. That's me trying to protect my kitchen table from dirt. ;)

My idea now is to try and use up what I received in this box in my normal day to day cookery. In an attempt to try and gauge how useful this box is.

You will be able to follow what's happening in my blog posts as I get through the box. The fruit could come in quite handy for my resolution to learn how to cook desserts, I already have some ideas for some stuff I'd like to try.

I'll keep an eye on the quality of the produce during this time as well. I want to see if it stays fresh for as long as the vegetables I normally get from the supermarket or if it's better - or even if it's worse. Either way, I'll let you know as I go along.

4 comments:

  1. kul att se vad det blir av dessa produkter. fortsättning följer...

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  2. Lisa,

    Tackar ;) Det ar faktiskt lite press pa att hitta pa vad man ska laga med en sadan har box.

    Jag har hort ganska manga klagomal att folk dels inte kanner igen vissa gronsaker och sedan inte riktigt kan planera vad dom ska laga till med allt dom far.

    Vi far se vad som hander ;)

    // Mike

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  3. Spring greens are really good - think of them as a cross between spinach and cabbage. They are good steamed, in stir fry, in lashings of butter (oh right that last one applies to most things!)...i think you'll like them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. goodshoeday,

    Ahh.. That explains things a bit and gives me some ideas. Someone said something about using them to garnish as well.

    Thanks for the info and ideas, much appreciated!

    // Mike

    ReplyDelete

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// Mike