Need some help from veggies and vegans please!

[OverWyreGrower]

I've got a stall at a large vegan fair in liverpool next weekend (19th) to sell my jams etc at.

Everything I make is veggie/vegan, including the chocolate we use (which is why I was invited to attend!)

I have issues though!

I usually use crackers and brioche as tasters, and obviously these are not suitable for a vegan event. Any ideas what I can use instead? I'm not able to use disposable plastic spoons, as the organisers want as little plastic waste on site as possible.

Secondly - I'm not a vegan (or a veggie). I have absolutely no idea what a vegan would eat some of my products with (jams/marmalades are easy). It's the savoury chutneys and jellies that I'm having issues with - they tend to go well with cheeses, cold meats etc; however obviously the customers at the fair won't be eating these! I often get asked for suggestions, and with omnivore customers I have no issues!

Lastly - do you think it's a good idea to provide 'extra' information on my stall as to why we're suitable for vegan's etc, rather than me telling everyone verbally. E.g. fruit jellies etc do not use gelatin (a common misconception), instead we use pectin from apples; the fact the chocolate we use has soya lecithin in, rather than milk solids.

Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

What about Breadsticks/Grissini for tasting? Not sure about the ingredients but I think they're OK for veggies anyway!
Have a look at some vegan websites for savoury dishes - like nut roasts, bean dishes, olive pates , hummus..........I'm sure you've eaten some of these anyway.
Yes, I think you need to be absolutely clear on what ingredients you've used and why, vegans in particular will be seeking assurance that you know exactly what you've used and why.
Good luck - sounds really good

[Bren In Pots]

What about wooden lolly pop sticks that can be composted after.

[Thelma Sanders]

It's a bit late to source them, but you can get cardboard tasting spoons. I saw them at a food fare, ages ago.

[vikkib]

Not a vegan or veggie myself but I used my dehydrator to dry some courgette and parsnip slices and they turned into nice little crispy things which would be great for the savoury tasting!

I'm sure you could do some in the oven!

I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone elses ideas too!

Hope it goes well!

[Yasai]

How about oat cakes? They're very easy/cheap to make...

[mothhawk]

Fruity chutneys go well with curries, they'd be nice with bean burgers and vegetable patties and baked potatoes. I guess savoury jellies could be paired with nut roasts and that sort of thing, I'm not a fan of savoury jellies so never considered what you'd eat them with.

[Kirk]

Look up or visit a specialist vegetarian/vegan shop, they will very likely have vegan crackers. Could also see if the vegetable crisps (not potato) qualify. Not sure if sensible to make your own. Only thing I can think of is something like cheese straws made from puff/filo pastry and vegan cheese or something similar.

Vegans will most likely want to know what is in anything and what it was made with. I know one and seems to assume that you really don't know what they are and will eat.

How about simple celery/carrot sticks (keep them in iced water?) for the savory tasting.

If the show is for purely vegans then at least you know the boundries, if Vegetarian and Vegans then finding items for vegetarians is easier but suggest you seperate Vegan-Vegetarian things clearly.

Check what is in things like panini, the vegan book I have here has a panini filled roll, the ingrediants says 1 vegan ciabatta roll, so they exist.
Do you make bread ?

Apparently Vegan Taco shells exist.
What are those round crispy whatsits you eat with Indian meals - suspect they are vegan.

[Yasai]

Poppadoms?

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Falafels?
Tortillas / Tacos

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Raw veg sticks (carrot / celery / cucumber)

Found a few recipes on 'Fat free vegan' that might be good to splodge some of your chutneys on (lots of other things on there:

Savoury Baked Sweet Potato Balls | Fatfree Vegan Recipes
Faux Fried Zucchini Fritters | Fatfree Vegan Recipes

[Patchninja]

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I'm poised and at the ready LOL
Crackers
1 and 3/4 cups plain flour
1 tbls chopped rosemary
1 tea baking powder
3/4 tea salt
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup olive oil plus more for brushing
flaky salt

Mix it all together an knead the dough for a few mins.
Divide into 3 for convenience and roll out on parchment paper until very thin. Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and bake until golden - 8 to 10 mins. You can score it before baking to make it easier to divide up, or just break bits off.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm not able to use disposable plastic spoons, as the organisers want as little plastic waste on site as possible

we want as little "single use" plastic on the planet as possible

Crudites seem the obvious choice: carrot & celery sticks. They keep well in jam jars of water (like cut flowers)

Or, cubes of slightly stale vegan bread ?

I have absolutely no idea what a vegan would eat some of my products with ...they tend to go well with cheeses, cold meats

I put chutney on my jacket potatoes, on the side of a curry, and sometimes a dollop in a soup

you can get cardboard tasting spoons

ack. Must feel horrid on the tongue

[Alison]

We're neither veggie or vegan in our house but a high percentage of the bread we make is vegan and it's all vegetarian. Simply make it without any milk in it and use oil instead of butter (I prefer that anyway) and you're sorted. Can toast in advance and cut up or just use as little bread squares. I'd be inclined to make all the bits you plonk the jams etc on vegan and sign accordingly as it's less phaff and easier to deal with on the day as things can't get muddled up.

[OverWyreGrower]

I've found some rather yummy hummus chips for tasting with

They are vegan as well as gluten and wheat free - so should suit the majority of tasters! I've also got some vegan oatcakes as well as cream crackers (also vegan)