Most pastry sold in grocery stores has palm oil (its use is harming the habitats of orangutans and other endangered creatures, and ‘sustainable palm oil’ labels are just self-policed greenwash).For now, the only real option is to make your own pastry (it’s easy using a palm-oil-free vegan butter. This Shortcrust pastry (Addicted to Dates) has just 5 ingredients. Keep fresh dough away from pets.
The Veg Space has a good post to make your own shortcrust pastry, that’s easy to make, roll and freeze (you can also try variations for cheese, mustard, herb, vanilla, almond or chocolate pastry). Be sure to chill the ingredients before use.
Doves Farm has a good simple recipe that simply rubs flour and salt into cubed vegan butter, then mixes into a dough with just enough water. Cover with a tea towel and leave 15 minutes, then roll onto a floured surface, shape into a ball and bake according to recipe. Also try this easy pie crust (add maple syrup for sweet pastry) or Puff pastry (uses chilled vegan butter).
homemade (vegan) apple pie)
Vegan Apple Pie (Addicted to Dates) bakes a cinnamon-spiced apple filling inside a homemade buttery flaky pie crust. The ultimate pie for autumn and winter. Also try a recipe for Vegan Apple Loaf (only needs 8 ingredients in one bowl, nice with vegan butter for breakfast).
England has many varieties of heritage apples, but all in danger of disappearing due to supermarket imports (most are sprayed with shellac – insects – to make them shiny). Look for organic loose-packed apples in local farm shops or find community orchards to pick your own for free. Invest in a good peeler (you’ll actually enjoy peeling apples and spuds!)
