by phil cheek » Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:09 am
The big problem with root veg is that they have a very poor carbon footprint,because they mostly have to be cooked.
It has been calculated that 50% of the energy use of the potato on your plate was in cooking it,47% of the energy was in growing it(tractor fuel,fertilisers etc) & 3% in transport & packing.
If you worry about food miles & worry about buying new pots in winter from (say) Egypt,those energy figures change insignificantly(approx 49%,46%,5%)
Of course that all changes when you grow your own,in which case you have "saved" all the growing,transport & packaging energy but can feel truly righteous only if you eat your spud uncooked.
Raw spud recipes anyone???????
Phil