Help with cutting veg.

[Funswim]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to ask if anyone has found a good electric food chopper/slicer that is powerful enough even to cut hard vegetables like carrots please? I had a manual one but it was too hard for me to press the plunger thing down to cut through things , so useless. My hands hurt too much and are swollen a lot of the time and carrots and swedes are impossible for me to cut. I can use frozen vegetables but much prefer fresh carrots as they just don't taste the same when they have been frozen. I've given up all hope of using butternut squash as just peeling them is too hard. I have seen lots of electric choppers online but often the reviews say they are not powerful enough or are very small or flimsy and don't last long. I would love to make some big stews with fresh veg in my slow cooker to last a few days and I thought that I would treat myself to one now that I have my PIP payment. If anyone has found a good one I would really love to know! thank you.

[Bootoo]

I just cheat and buy bags of fresh diced carrot and swede from Asda, I know they work out more expensive but at about 40p a bag it isn't going to break the bank and I get two servings out of them. 😀

[essexgirl]

I had the same problem with swede , my daughter told me ‘ pierce the swede all round then stick it in the microwave until skin is soft then peel it off ... I tried it and do it every single time , amazing

[missispee in reply to essexgirl]

It works with sweet potatoes too.

[essexgirl]

With your carrots peel them ( I have battery operated peeler Amazing from amazon ) then get a veg slicer and slice your carrots

[Lolabridge]

Swedes are a devil to chop and I’m not keen on them anyway. But I suggest you buy prepared casserole veg from now on. No chopping, freezable, and no waste! Result.

[Funswim in reply to Lolabridge]

thanks for your tips! It's nice to find out how we all manage!

[KittyJ]

I just buy them ready chopped. Much easier 😊

[essexgirl in reply to KittyJ]

I just find with ready chopped they have all the outside hard bits of swede in them

[KittyJ in reply to essexgirl]

Ah I don’t like swede so never buy that.

[Pinkypie2018]

I just buy everything chopped also it really is much easier on us.

[Wobbies]

Tried all manner of gadgets with no success. Buy root veg ready chopped now.

[BoneyC]

Buy frozen butternut squash/sweet potato mix for soups. Never bought a celeriac or swede as I know I couldn't chop it up.

[oldtimer]

I've tried all sorts of electric choppers and food processors over the years. All of them have been useless, difficult to use, painful to the hands, difficult to assemble/dissemble and clean.

[SueB]

I had the same problem with butternut squash but found a solution. Put it whole in the oven for about 20 mins. I then just turn oven off and leave it to bake in residual heat. Results in soft, easy peal squash- perfect for making my favourite soup😁 I now need to try this with the microwave.

[notjustlocal in reply to SueB]

Excellent suggestion, thank you-I will try this!

[magliona]

I swear by my nicer dicer

[Wobblyone]

I just buy everything ready prepared now - fruit and veg. Aldi have plenty of ready prepared frit and veg at very reasonable prices.

[dippyd09]

You can buy them prepared and or frozen. I had exactly the same problem and it was the best solution. I hope you find what suits you.

[Mmrr]

I buy pre prepared fresh vegetables, you can get most things including butternut squash.

Frozen chopped onions work well as do frozen chopped garlic and herbs. They are around £1 a bag but you do get many servings from them.

I find using the prepared things so much easier than trying to chop them myself then having all the washing up to do too.

[Hidden]

No BUT:I have a manual one by Kuhn Rikon that you pull a cord.

I depress the plunger where the uncut veg goes with mid forearm.

I wrap the cord of the pulley just above my wrist. I sit down and swivel my torso to and fro.

It works for me - it also has a grating blade function.

Again click blade into place by resting lid unit on lap pointing upwards and depress woth forearm. Unscrew the centre screw using an adjustable spanner.

Hope that helps someone.

[KathleenMary]

I've got the best solution to my veg chopping difficulties caused by my RA and raynauds it's my husband☺

[Funswim in reply to KathleenMary]

Thankyou for all your tips. It is interesting to see that this seems to be a common problem.I am hoping to grow some veg next year, so will have to put more thought into what I grow than I used to because of the chopping problem. I am living in rented accommodation until my divorce is finalised and haven't got a garden at all,so can't wait to get growing!

[Zara0123 in reply to KathleenMary]

😂😂😂 you are very lucky

[KathleenMary in reply to Zara0123]

Sure am 😀😊

[Winnie53]

I'd suggest growing things like green beans, just pick them and cook, no chopping! This has been an interesting chat as I've tried to find a solution to veg peeling & chopping and as with most things, the simplest solutions are the best - I'll certainly be buying ready chopped veg in the future 😂