Peppertree Place

Last Saturday wasn’t really going to be anything different, however a friend of mine invited me to a food swap at Peppertree Place.

Pepper Tree Place is an impressive community garden in Coburg that is powered by volunteers. The food swap takes place on the first Saturday of every month and involves people bringing surplus home-grown organic produce (anything really) and swapping for something they need. There were all manner of herbs, fruits and veggies on the tables, but, I tell you, it was the apples that were most amazing! They smelt (and as I later discovered) tasted amazing! Just like they always should.

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There is an amazing veggie patch and orchard overseen by some busy two-legged feathered friends, the chooks! (Their gorgeous fresh eggs were also on the food swap table). There is an authentic wood-fired pizza oven and pop-up café (with real coffee) that creates beautiful food from the seasonal produce of the vegie patch and fruit trees. Oh and did I mention, a lovely affordable plant nursery selling everything you would expect from herbs, vegies, bulbs, succulents and all manner of flowering potted plants.

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Now, you don’t need to bring stuff to swap, there is much more going on at Peppertree! It is a very relaxed place but don’t be fooled as there is a hum of energy! This energy has grown and flourished from the shared values of visitors and volunteers alike. It’s all about enjoying fresh food, improving health and growing community links. I was inspired and excited.  This is really what I’m on about! 

So watch this space for initiatives that we will be launching at Peppertree Place later in the year! In the meantime check out the themed food swaps - 10am to 2pm on the first Saturday of each month at 512 Sydney Road, Coburg or for more info visit kildonan.org.au

Pepper Tree Place Pop Up Café.

This week’s chef and volunteer Susan Rosa delivered her Sri Lankan Feast, which featured her own homemade curry paste for a delicious curry. Yum!

It may not be as authentic as Susnas’s Sri Lanken curry, but I thought that wouldn’t let you go without sharing my homemade curry recipe.

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melbourne-fruit-swap

Curry Recipe

Ingredients:

Vegetables

  • 1 brown onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • ½ Pumpkin
  • 2 Zucchini
  • 1 Broccoli
  • 3 Carrots
  • Big bunch of Green beans
  • 2 fresh young coconuts (juice from both and flesh from one)

Spices and herbs

  • Cumin
  • Cayenne pepper
  • 1 chili
  • Fresh Ginger
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon – I like a lot so I double this sometimes even more
  • Basil
  • Salt and pepper

Options to add meat or keep it vegan

  • Optional any meat beef, chicken or fish (the meat you just brown before hand and then add everything in)

Method

1.) Roughly chop all veggies then
2.) Sauté garlic and onion
3.) Add in all roughly chopped veggies and all spices then mix around
4.) Add coconut water from both coconuts place lid on pot and simmer away

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Meanwhile lets make the coconut paste:

Scrap the coconut flesh out of the coconut add to blender with a pinch of cumin and cinnamon (blend till its like a past like texture)

Add this to the pot, mix through and let simmer for about 40 min

Alternatively if you have a slow cooker handy, then simply chop everything up make the coconut paste and add everything into your slow cooker let cook all night or day and it will be ready to eat whenever you are. Enjoy!

Let me know how you went and send me an email!!

Love CR xx