Well, it is not exactly a restaurant to start with but more of a take away with a few tables.

We decided to try something new and we found out that there is a vegetarian place (actually more than one, who knew!) in Harrow, in North London. The place we wanted to go to was closed and we went to Yummy V, a vegetarian Chinese take away, I think it’s actually vegan as it’s stated very clearly “no eggs – no onions – no garlic” and I couldn’t see any dairy on the menu (they don’t have desserts either).

This place specializes in fake meat and fish, and they do have all sorts.

We had noodles and rice with sweet and sour tofu, both were nice but the best of the surprises came after, when we got the house specialty: the “Yummy pumpkin”

The photo is not great but look at that!!! isn’t it cute? it’s a steamed bun in the shape of a pumpkin, with an asparagus stalk on the top… it was delicious, soft and sweet and well, tasted of pumpkin…!

We also had some steamed soft rice buns

these too were really good, and had a mushroom filling.

The place was small but very friendly, the chefs came out (looked like husband and wife team) and we got talking with the lady waiting, they are all vegetarian and Buddhists, that’s why the no-garlic-no egg policy.

The yummy pumpkin was a very happy find, and we will definitely go back!

There are no toilets.

These thin black sticks are one of my favorite vegetables, you won’t find them in normal supermarkets, you really have to search them to get them,  I buy them through my veg box scheme (Abel and Cole), but I suppose you might find them in farmer’s markets.

As they are little known, I think it might be helpful to put some photos of what to do with this vegetable.

The scorzonera season is coming to an end.

These roots are so delicious you really don’t need to do much to enjoy their rich buttery flavour.

Click on “more” to see photos of how to prepare scorzonera…

I had it on some plain basmaty rice, simple and sooo good!

I know, they look like chips!!!

So, have your twigs ready and try to work without interruptions because once you peel them, they start to brown…

First of all, wash and scrub really well, then peel with a potato peeler and cut off the ends.

Then cut in small chunks (about a finger long) and in half or in fours, depending on how thick the root is. If you have a ceramic knife (I really can’t recommend them enough, they are the best and won’t brown the veg), this is the moment to use it.

Have a pan ready with some fat (I used ghee-clarified butter), you can use butter, margarine, olive oil, whatever you prefer.

The roots should not be deep fried, so have enough oil/butter to just cover the bottom of the pan.

Fry the scorzonera on quite low heat, they burn very easily on high heat and it will completely spoil the flavor.

Keep on turning them every few minutes and cook until tender and brown, they will caramelize slightly on the outside.

I find they don’t even need any salt, please try them just like that before you add anything else!

This is such a great thing, I have been wishing this would happen for so long I can’t stop telling everyone!
It’s going to be hard work, but growing fruit and veg is the kind of hard work I love.

And it’s also a good excuse to buy a book on “allotment management”!

I am very thankful, things are going very well!

There have been no aeroplanes in these skies for more than 4 days.

While airline companies complain about the loss of money, I feel happy.

Happy because Europe has reduced its carbon emission without having to pretend they are doing something, happy because to me this is a very clear message: humans can mess up with Mother Nature, but in the end, she’s going to have the last laugh.

And let me say it, if Ryanair looses a lot of money, that can only make me happy, I hate them!

I am back online, I fought my laziness and I am actually writing a post…!

I spent Easter in Sicily and as I expected it was all about food, and this time I had a valid excuse to go around Palermo and take pictures of typical foods for my blog.

Problem was, how do you expect me to just take pictures of mouthwatering things and NOT taste them?

Well, in a very short time I hate like a right pig (ask my bathroom scale).

Sometimes I wish that people who think veggies have nothing to eat were right!!!

Glad to be back, by the way