Vegan at Home in Wales
Today you can call me a 'vegan taff', I won't mind. Taff is a slang word that was often used to describe a person from Wales. There are a few different explanations to its origins, some say it refers to the River Taff (which sounds more likely) and others claim its is derived from the Welsh name David pronounced Dafydd in Wales. I remember being called Taffy quite clearly when I was small, especially whenever I would visit distant relatives in England, their neighbours would hear our accent and shout out 'taffy's' here.
Anyway, today's prompt is 'make or eat a traditional local dish' and tomorrow's is 'honour a human (or non-human) that inspires yours veganism'.
So I thought I would take the opportunity to share a post that I shared last year for Vegan Mofo, as this touches on both: it is filled with lots of Welsh vegan goodness, some traditional and some original and its respectfully acknowledges St David, the patron Saint of Wales who was a vegetarian. St David only ate bread, herbs, vegetables and bread and drank only water.
Many of these recipes that I have created over the years are made with Welsh ingredients including Laverbread - a seaweed,
but also leeks - a national emblem Wales.
As well as these vegan 'Welsh faggots' aka 'meatballs' which I have recently remade with vital wheat gluten. The vegan Seitan Welsh faggot are a a lot more darker than these featured above. You will also find vegan Welsh 'Rarebit' based on this recipe, Welsh Laverbread Cakes, Welsh Laverbread Burgers, Welsh Chilli Con Carne made with red peppers, white beans and leeks - the colours of the Welsh Flag in a bowl and a Welsh Dragon Pie.
Vegan Welsh Cakes in the shape of a heart for St Dwynwen's Day,
Wales's very own Valentines Day.
I've made a vegan Bara Brith too, many times in fact but never round to taking a good picture of it, as well as a vegan Welsh Laverbread Caviar, which have dubbed Welsh Vegetarian/Vegan Woman's Caviar, but I will showcase that soon, alongside my vegan Laverbread and 'Cheese' Scones! So if you stick around you will eventually see them making an appearance.
And to end, I cannot forget the four legged beastie (see side-bar), that brought sunshine to my life. I Moggie (RIP) with great fondness and s/he continues to make me smile.
What a wonderful selection. I am especially excited to find recipe for Red Dragon Pie. I went to college in Chester so not far from North Wales and the college cafeteria served a fab Red Dragon Pie on Sunday lunch times. I must give your recipe a go.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. The Red Dragon Pie is one I make quite a bit, esp come Autumn/Winter. Hope you get round to making some soon
Deletethat all looks so interesting, especially the laverbread! I'm going to read more about that!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteLaverbread is an acquired taste.
Wow, I loved seeing all these veganised Welsh recipes! Those pies <3 and the caviar sounds interesting, I never tried caviar in my pre-vegan days (the idea grossed me out) but that would be really interesting to try a vegan caviar - can't wait to see that recipe!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kyra. I never had caviar ever, it just looks ukky, and the thought of it too just makes me sick, so why make a veggie version, don't ask - but I do like to experiment as a home cook. I will share soon. I've made it a few times, but it does not have a long fridge life, only matter of days, so its gets ditched before the pic gets taken.
DeleteWhat a lovely Welsh recipe selection! I love the fact that even though many British traditional dishes are originally meaty, they can still be veganised with a little thought and effort. You are doing very well at that!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much VegHog, Your comment means a lot, and yes - its amazing how many meaty recipes can be veganized..
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