Upper Calder Valley Allotment & Food Activities!

Forage, Cook & Eat!

Before we returned to our Allotment Group after a winter break, our Upper Valley Group got to try out something different with our Forage, Cook & Eat sessions!

We explored the wonderful Incredible Edible plots in Todmorden and worked together to identify and pick fresh herbs, which we then used in the affordable healthy meals we learnt to make. 

Over the three sessions we learnt to make a Greek Chickpea Stew, a Butternut Squash Risotto and a Lentil Dahl with homemade chapatti’s thanks to talented group member Judi!

The sessions were a great way to explore how we can support our wellbeing through cooking and eating nutritious meals while also following a budget – our favourite recipe had to be the Chickpea Stew which works out less than £1 per portion!

One of the participants has recently told us they received tins of chickpeas in their recent order at the local food bank and is looking forward to making this meal for their family member, saying “I feel a lot more confident after these sessions."

Thank you to everyone who joined us for these sessions, we’re hoping to run something similar very soon so watch this space! ​

Chickpea Stew Recipe!

Returning to the Tod Allotment

After what felt like a long, cold winter away from our lovely Allotment in Todmorden we were so happy to be back there this month with our Big Dig!

The Spring sun was shining and the daffodils we planted last Autumn were flowering which made us all feel like lighter, more positive days are ahead. Lots of people got stuck in weeding, tidying up and planting out Lambs Lettuce and Spinach we grew from seed last Autumn.

While our green-fingered group members kept busy, the others cooked lunch for everyone on the camp fire using the recipe for the Chickpea Stew they’d learnt at our cookery sessions. After a busy couple of hours we all enjoyed sitting around the campfire, reflecting on the day while eating lunch together.

Our second session at Healthy Minds Tod Allotment went swimmingly!  The weather kept fine and we arrived to find that Paul's hard work in sowing Rocket seeds had paid off - tiny seedlings had poked their way through the soil!

Our activity this week round the fire was to forage for wild garlic and make our own pesto.  Some of the group had never tasted it before but all loved it!  Hot drinks and cake were provided by our wonderful volunteers Chris and Jackie.  Here's the recipe - but don't delay in making it, wild garlic season doesn't last forever!

We also talked about the concept of a Sit Spot and how we could make ourselves a favourite place to sit and enjoy the world around us.

Wild Garlic Pesto Recipe!

If you’re interested in finding out about future Forage, Cook & Eat sessions or joining our Allotment group please get in touch with Sam: samantha@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk or 07845 014 928