Yes, there is a CTWW today.
Don’t buy it, make it!
Do something extraordinary, totally outside your box.
An example, ham, a traditional seasonal meat (yes, I know you veges and vegans won’t like this, but there are still a few normal people left).
Everybody who does, rushes out at this time of the year to buy the expensive traditional foods for Christmas and the New Year. Prices are bumped up because the shops know you’ll buy it.
Loevly ham
Well, DON’T!
Make it.
Oh, I can just hear you all now, “make ham, don’t be stupid, that’s too hard!”
I can assure you it’s not.
Ham can be made from almost any piece of pork, big or small. I’m not suggesting that you buy a whole 20lb leg of pork, maybe half if you have a big family gathering planned, maybe a smaller piece of loin. I have made it from inch thick pork chops before.
Basically, the fresh raw meat needs to be pickled in brine. A big piece, two or three days, smaller pieces a couple of hours. Washed, dried, and baked off in the oven or simply in 170ºF water until the inner temperature reaches 155ºF; if your pork piece is about 3lb it will take about 3 hours. You’ll need a meat thermometer to measure this. There is the option of smoking, but not evryone has a smoker.
You’ll need one of these
Many recipes call for a cure, to me that just complicates things, you don’t need a cure. Other recipes call for juniper berries and others, you don’t need them, use whole cloves and bay leaves.
Check this site out for some tips and a brine recipe. Remember forget the cure.
Maybe ham isn’t your thing, try something else a traditional Christmas cake, or a steamed fruit pudding. There are plenty of recipes on the net, you just have to look.
Part of the secret of this challenge is returning the spirit to Christmas, taking power back from the companies and commercial interests.
Have a Merry Christmas, and I’ll be back next week… maybe I’ll have a surprise.
Eco-Crap 
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