Aren't courgettes just gorgeous to chop?

[PussyGaPaw]

I'm making a veggie chilli for dinner and it just occurred to me how pleasingly perfect they are to chop up... Just the right amount of resistance 😊.
That's it really. Anyone with me? 😁

@MurderAtTheBeautyPageant

Me too! I want to love them but they're tricky, unpredictable little fuckers!!

Can I throw celeriac in as the utmost bastard of a vegetable to prep? Trying to get the peel off the fucking thing and then chopping open to find weird straggly bits in the middle [shudders]

I'm so glad I made an absolutely bogging recipe with it about a year ago and haven't been able to look at it since.

I'm so pleased to have found my people.

And yes, courgettes really are the gift that keep on giving... Their bountifulness when grown is just so generous. In fact it was this that converted me. I was definitely in the 'but they're shit' camp before I grew a plant or two and had to cope with a glut. With the right amount of butter and garlic, they're divine.

And YES to peeling mushrooms. Although the intrinsic faffiness of this disqualifies it, I'm afraid.

@BurningBright

I cut from
one side of the stalk, down the side, across its bottom & up the other side, twist then remove the stalk, white stuff & seeds in pretty much one step, bash against my other palm to remove any remaining seeds and that's job done, no longer any faff

🤣😂🤣😂

you don't get that when you 'pop' the large stone out either(cut in half lengthwise and use your thumbs on the skin behind the stone to pop it out

The secret to dealing with butternut squash and celeriac is to microwave them for a minute whole before approaching them. It loosens the skin and weakens their resistance.

can I also mention ceramic knives? They make carrots like courgettes.

@mrsm43s I grew up in a peeling household, took me years & many many mushrooms to decide it wasn't necessary. All that wasted time 🙇🏻‍♀️

it is kind of satisfying for one or two, but tedious for whole punnets and reduces the vitamins significantly.

Thank you for this thread OP!

I've been saying this for years!
Courgettes are fab. I make a wonderful courgette, turmeric and lentil soup. Lots of chopping required.

Thinly sliced courgettes sautéed in olive oil with finely chopped garlic, red chilli and mint are quick and good, if you don't have/want butter.

@Izearle I used to think so, but now I chop them differently it's a quick job I don't mind.

only the smell on my hands!! Grrr

Ha. I was about to say how much I enjoy cutting up BNS.

Peeling them's a pain in the arse though.

Yes. Also fun to grate.

They're complete bastards to prep.

The first one I ever cooked smelt vile!! I've cooked loads since and never had one like it!

I had been buying it pre chopped in Waitrose before Covid, but haven't since. Might wander around to W tomorrow to see if they still sell it (get Tesco deliveries these days, love them bringing it to the door!!).

Never really thought about this but you are so right! They chop perfectly!

Peeling a mushroom and then slicing it is my idea of heaven. It’s a shame that none of us like them.

I love peeling cucumbers, I love how big long ribbons are made and the peeler just glides down! Oooh

Yes to courgette-chopping. Also chopping a sweetheart cabbage to make okonomiyaki (cabbage fritters) is very pleasing too.

Jo

@WellTidy i cook them
in butter, for a long time, stirring occasionally. I use a normal saucepan , not a frying pan. Until they're really brown. & very very well cooked. Devine.

Sharpen your knives.

@Favouritefruits

you do know you don't have to peel them don't you?

im a 79's child, it was YEARS before I had cucumber unpeeled & not soaked in vinegar!! 😂

Sharpen your knives.

Or use a serrated one, like you do for tomatoes (if you've any sense).

70's child!

anyone who needs to sharpen their knives, I HIGHLY recommend the All Sharp, it's about a tenner & you can buy them
in loads of places. It's SO easy to use & get sharp knives. No faff!

Yess! Another celery person. This is the only vegetable that I chop and feel I need to talk to the camera at the same time <nigella-ish gaze at camera>

They are indeed. But so tasteless.

That might be my cooking skills

Needs garlic