Veggies at 5p per bag in Lidl but 8p in Aldi.
Lidl have a three bag limit ( per item type) while Aldi have no limit.
Aldi's dropped to 5p but have introduced a 4 bag limit.
I know it's silly and trivial , but I picked up a few more bags and now have a comfortable year's worth of dried carrots and shallots, dehydrating as we speak. And some seed potatoes for the lottie.
Never ceases to amaze me how small veggies can shrink down to.
Graceful Degradation! Prepping's objective summed up in two words. Turning Disaster into Mild Inconvenience by the power of fore-thought
Today, for the first time, dehydrating pineapple. It seems that it will only dry to 'chewy leather state.
Has anyone used dehydrated/rehydrated pineapple in sweet & sour sauce? That's my hope.
Graceful Degradation! Prepping's objective summed up in two words. Turning Disaster into Mild Inconvenience by the power of fore-thought
jennyjj01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:04 pm
Today, for the first time, dehydrating pineapple. It seems that it will only dry to 'chewy leather state.
Dehydration complete, they are quite hard bits. Currently rehydrating a few bits to see how well it goes. Chewed a few bits to see how it tasted. Not too flavoursome.
Even before dehydrating, it wasn't as juicy as I like.
[EDIT]
I rehydration completed, 2 hours in cold water. Texture came back to normal, but flavour was leached out, so if I use in cooking, I'll use the sauce to rehydrate[/EDIT]
Not sure pineapple is going to be a very useful or valued prep food. Carrots wear that crown
Going to try Kiwi fruits tomorrow.
Graceful Degradation! Prepping's objective summed up in two words. Turning Disaster into Mild Inconvenience by the power of fore-thought
jennyjj01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:04 pm
Today, for the first time, dehydrating pineapple. It seems that it will only dry to 'chewy leather state.
Dehydration complete, they are quite hard bits. Currently rehydrating a few bits to see how well it goes. Chewed a few bits to see how it tasted. Not too flavoursome.
Even before dehydrating, it wasn't as juicy as I like.
[EDIT]
I rehydration completed, 2 hours in cold water. Texture came back to normal, but flavour was leached out, so if I use in cooking, I'll use the sauce to rehydrate[/EDIT]
Not sure pineapple is going to be a very useful or valued prep food. Carrots wear that crown
Going to try Kiwi fruits tomorrow.
At certain times of the year pineapples aren't nearly as good..... Not sure how to work out when though
jennyjj01 wrote:"I'm not in the least bit worried because I'm prepared: Are you?"
Londonpreppy wrote: At its core all prepping is, is making sure you're not down to your last sheet of loo roll when you really need a poo.
jennyjj01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:04 pm
Today, for the first time, dehydrating pineapple.
At certain times of the year pineapples aren't nearly as good..... Not sure how to work out when though
My fave AI said the best time for them in the UK is Dec till March, but when I asked without mentioning UK, it said March till July.
I suppose country of origin makes a difference, but I can't figure it out, either.
One thing it did emphasise was to buy them when they are ripe, because they won't ripen any further at home. Ripeness can be judged by tugging out one of its 'ears'
Graceful Degradation! Prepping's objective summed up in two words. Turning Disaster into Mild Inconvenience by the power of fore-thought
jennyjj01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:04 pm
Today, for the first time, dehydrating pineapple.
At certain times of the year pineapples aren't nearly as good..... Not sure how to work out when though
My fave AI said the best time for them in the UK is Dec till March, but when I asked without mentioning UK, it said March till July.
I suppose country of origin makes a difference, but I can't figure it out, either.
One thing it did emphasise was to buy them when they are ripe, because they won't ripen any further at home. Ripeness can be judged by tugging out one of its 'ears'
Thats strange, I've never read that....... They seem to ripen in the kitchen (not the fridge) and if they're greenish at the top but yellow at the bottom you can even them out if you put them head down (just don't invite your new suburban neighbours over if you have an upside-down pineapple on display.......Especially if you have a pampas grass in the front garden or store your keys in a goldfish bowl)
jennyjj01 wrote:"I'm not in the least bit worried because I'm prepared: Are you?"
Londonpreppy wrote: At its core all prepping is, is making sure you're not down to your last sheet of loo roll when you really need a poo.
As I understand it, pineapples can turn yellow and soften for around a week after being cut but they do not ripen. By ripen, it means they will not get any sweeter in taste. We have dehydrated them in the past but found that they needed soaking in water/juice to rehydrate fully prior to adding to any sauce/meal.
We now water bath pineapple to preserve it rather than dehydrate it.
, but I picked up a few more bags and now have a comfortable year's worth of dried carrots and shallots, dehydrating as we speak. And some seed potatoes for the lottie.