[Meatless Monday] RVA Swappers: Vegan

Have you ever heard of a food swap? It sounds like a pretty informal get-together among friends, kind of like my cookie swap in December. Apparently, though, there are people all across the United States (and beyond!) participating in real organized, recurring food swaps!

Last night, I attended my first RVA Swappers event. Andrea and Beth started this group last year, based on Andrea's experience with the Brooklyn-based "BK Swappers". The premise is you bring 6 items, one for sampling and 5 for swapping. Upon arrival, you fill out a card that includes your name, item, and lines for participants to express interest in your item. After the initial tasting and mingling, the swapping begins! You can either go up to others that have items you want or people come to you. How it actually happens varies, depending on the size of the group and interest in your item; but it all remains very calm and friendly!

My vegan swappable was an avocado lime pound came with cornmeal. Along with the usual vegan suspects of vegan butter and a flax egg, avocado was also used to replace of half of the butter/fat. It was my first time trying it; and I was pretty happy with the results. (And I hope to share the recipe soon!)

In exchange for my pound cake, I got:

• Marmalade
• Kale pesto
• Mexican chocolate popcorn
• Winter Minestrone Soup
• Vegan breakfast sausage links

Other items available for swapping included:

• Peanut butter chocolate cake
• Peanut butter, made with Spanish peanuts
• Granola
• Potage (a thick potato soup)

My "strategy" was to go for things that I've never made or probably won't make on my own. Needless to say, the vegan sausage was at the top of my list. It was made with black-eyed peas!

RVA Swappers is a great opportunity to share your kitchen talents, broaden your horizons, support homemade & local foods, and meet new people! If you are interested in attending next month's event, "like" their Facebook page for updates. And if you don't live in Richmond, check out Food Swap Network to find a swap organization in your area (or start your own)!