Swedes....The Veg!

[smudge]

Does anyone else find this vegetable easy to peel, but so hard to cut?

We enjoy them in casseroles, etc., but I'm finding them so much harder to cut & slice lately, no matter what knife I use.

Anyone have an easier solution please?

P.S. I do have an electric knife, but not too keen on using that in case it slips....

[CheekyChops]

I thought it was just me...

I don't cook much and last week offered to cook dinner which included chopping a swede. I must have got about 2 dice sized pieces and the rest went in the bin - I thought the knife would snap when I was trying to cut it! I thought it had gone off or something, I didn't realise that they are all like that!

I won't be bothering again :-)

[chinadog]

smudge, I cut the swede into 4 then half each chunk. I cut wedges then peel then I cut "Thick chip" sizes. That way the swede cooks quicker.

[gelda]

I've found them hard to cut too, last weekend I broke one of my best knives trying to cut one, in the past I've had no trouble, I wonder why.

[gelda]

But have you seen the price of them! Us oldy pensioners can't afford to buy them at that price, I'd sooner do without and just use some extra carrots.

[heathfield]

It's possible that the swedes on offer have been harvested some time ago and have been kept in storage. There, they'd tend to dry out a bit and become harder as they lose moisture.
An electric knife is useless on swedes. Used a heavy, sharp, kitchen knife. If the knife blade is at all flexible, you're asking for trouble. Chinadog's method is probably the best.

[Gormless]

I often slow-cook joints of beef and like to surround the meat with chopped carrot, swede, turnip. After having spent a few frustrating hours with a chopping board I now buy ready-chopped casserole vegetables, life is too short.

[smudge]

Hi all - thank you so much for your answers. (Sorry for delay in replying, just got in).

CheekyChops - I thought it was just me too - I can share your frustration!

chinadog - You prepare them exactly the same as I do! I find them easy to peel, but still find it a bvgger to cut them into 4, then slice, etc. I shall carry on doing it that way thouh, thank you.

gelda - my knives were bending too! I nearly got my husband's axe-saw out of the garage!

no.k - Cheeky rascal, I'm not that old - yet I prefer slices, rather than diced though, ta anyway!

gelda - yes, us oldies can't afford such luxuries as ready diced veg. lol

Heathfield - The swedes 'appear' to be fresh in the shops, but it's hard to tell, so you may have a point there! You're right about the electric knife too, I wouldn't try using mine on them, as I'd probably end up cutting my hand off!

Gormless - Although delicious when cooked, it does take a while preparing the carrots, swede, onions, shallots, garlic & spuds, etc., so p'raps I'll take another look
at the ready-chopped veg, next time I'm in Sainsbury's.

Thank you all again. ;o}

[smudge]

*scuse any errors - rushing about & Milly's meowing for her dinner! ;o}

[Ethel]

I use a good strong chopping board and a very large knife. Sometimes I have to get the chap next door to do it.

I cut in to quarters, peel thickly, then cut in to chips then cubes.

I very much dislike buying prepared veg.

[smudge]

Thank you Ethel - I'm not surprised you sometimes get your neighbour to prepare your swedes!

Even though I use a good chopping board & several heavy duty kitchen knives, it'still hard work work preparing them!

I'm not too keen on buying prepared veg either, but will certainly look into buying ready-chopped swede! ;o}

[smudge]

*it's still hard work

Alway dashing about lately - fun though!

[zzxxee]

part boil it with the skin on then remove let it cool the skin will come off easy then chop and carry on boiling simple

[chinadog]

Sounds like a good idea zz. Does it make it easier to cut?

[smudge]

Thank you zzxxee - funnily enough, I read that very same method on a website last week:

First answer: Here

Although I don't have a RSI, it does seem a much easier way of preparing, so I'll give it a try next week.

Thanks again all.