According to research, Brits will consume an impressive 668 million pigs-in-blankets this Christmas, averaging 11.2 per person, and Aldi has brought out vegan versions so everyone can indulge
I’ve just had my first pigs-in-blankets in decades and I’m a little in awe.
There’s many staple foods in the winter months – especially at Christmas – and one of those items is most definitely the much-loved classic, pigs-in-blankets. Traditionally, the salty treat is made up of a small sausage wrapped in bacon.
They’re a vital side dish at many festive food gatherings, not to mention the big day itself, and are, for many, one of the best bits about the iconic Christmas dinner. According to research, Brits will consume an impressive 668 million pigs-in-blankets this Christmas, averaging 11.2 per person.
The sausages are usually chipolatas, which work perfectly with roast turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and gravy. I must make a confession though… I’m a vegetarian.
Not only that, but even before I became a vegetarian 14 years ago, I wouldn’t touch bacon. I tried it once or twice as a child and that was that. For years, I lied and told everyone and anyone I hated the stuff.
The truth? I just couldn’t get Babe the Pig’s adorable face out of my head so swore blind I believed bacon was vile, afraid my no-nonsense Yorkshire parents would tell me to get a grip and tuck into a bacon butty. If I didn’t like it though, they’d surely accept that. And that they did.
So, I missed out on pigs-in-blankets even before I cut meat out for good (which, unbeknownst to me, “was a long time coming” where my parents were concerned and they were nothing but lovely and supportive).
When Aldi launched its hefty vegan footlong pig-in-blanket alongside a companion of standard sized offerings, I was keen to try the lot.
Unlike me, my fiancé was an avid lover of bacon and especially pigs-in-blankets before he became a vegetarian, so this was a big treat for the pair of us.
After popping everything into the oven, the aroma of bacon wafted through the kitchen and I must admit, my mouth began to water.
They are very oily – we lined our baking trays with greaseproof baking paper and it was absolutely dripping by the time the items had cooked but I don’t suppose anyone eats a pig-in-blanket and assumes it’s going to be healthy.
I was very surprised by just how enjoyable everything was. The ‘bacon’ isn’t the same colour or consistency as standard pork bacon, but the flavours were definitely there.
There was a gorgeous smoky, salty taste which, while a tad on the artificial side and a little reminiscent of Smoky Bacon crisps, was still thoroughly enjoyable.
I did prefer the smaller, standard sized PIBs as opposed to the footlong, as I felt the little ones were much more moist and easier to tuck into. I think my favourite part about these items though is that now, I won’t feel like I’m “missing out” on one of the most iconic Christmas dishes.
I’d definitely recommend giving them a try for yourself, whether you eat meat or not.
Vegan Food News UK shared the news of Aldi’s vegan-friendly pigs-in-blankets launch on Facebook, prompting a flurry of responses. One happy shopper tagged a friend and said: “need this year”, while another echoed such sentiments with: “need to get that this year”.
A third told a friend: “I’ll find it after work!” Others simply tagged their friends to alert them to the post.
In addition to the launch, Aldi is also bringing back its Bottomless Pigs-in-Blanket Restaurant, where it’ll serve the world’s first foot-long vegan pig-in-blanket this Christmas.
Bookings for Aldi’s Pigs in Blankets Restaurant are now open via Eventbrite, with spaces available for walk-ins. The restaurant will be open from Friday, November 29 until Saturday, November 30, from 12.30pm until 8.30pm.
Aldi’s Vegan FootLong PIB will also be available in stores from December 19, 2024.
