Big carnivorous chefs and their restaurants are also opening up to new, environmentally conscious and trendy vegetarian or vegan street food. We can say that they have made the right choice!
Is it worth taking the plunge?
Definitely yes, that's what the caterers say. They travel around the country with less overheads, a good refrigeration system, an old, renovated van. Nowadays, it's not just in the summer, but at any time of the year, events are waiting for visitors. Of course, pandemic season is an exception to this, but it's ideal for getting ready to go. As well as classic street food such as pulled pork, sausages, steaks, burgers and scones, it's worth adding something even more ’trendy’ to the menu. There's a growing number of people who like to eat vegetables and are saving both their bodies and the environment by avoiding meat. They appreciate the opportunity to eat something creative and vegetable-centric, in addition to grilled cheese and mushrooms.
Let's see the new street food varieties:
Tacos in all versions
Most tacos are already homemade, prepared at home in advance from a good quality corn flour. However, you can put anything you like in it on the spot. From bbq meats to grilled cheese, vegetables, almost everything. Fresh veggies, seeds, sprouts and dressings are added on top, which couldn't be more spectacular for street food.
Vegan sauces with sourdough bread
Swill is one of the most rewarding types of food. It can be made from anything, just a good seasoning and a creamy consistency. It is perfect with pulses, roasted vegetables and can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. It's worth portioning out in advance, with just 1-1 loaf of sourdough bread and you've got your vegan meal.
Humus, falafel balls in pita
The perennial favourite, Turkish cuisine, of which a large part is vegetable-based. These include falafel balls made with chickpeas, olive oil and lemon juice, which can be made in advance by frying them and then stuffing them into pita bread with hummus. Interestingly, hummus is also a cream made from chickpeas, oil and lemon with tahini sauce, so this dish doesn't require a big budget, but rather creativity. It's a fresh, eye-catching, light dish that even carnivores won't mind.
Vega hot-dog, vega burger
Many people chuckle at the sight of meat-free sausages and scones, because they are not really meat-free. However, you can make a sausage and a meat pie from vegetables in the same form, which can be stuffed into buns and baguettes. True, this is probably the most work, but only until you find a supplier who can bring them to your kitchen ready-made. Fake ’sausages and meatballs’ of this kind are usually made with bean base or soy, with lots of spices, vegetables, fresh greens and braised onions. They are held together by soaked uti seed husks instead of eggs, or by a professional frying method.
Seafood, fish
And let's not forget the increasingly popular seafood, the first and most important requirement to be able to sell it is refrigeration.
The privilege of refrigeration systems is that we can also work with fresh, frozen fish on ice. Fish is one of the most appreciated raw materials, which can be sold as street food in a safe place, with little work, at a high price and in good quality. On skewers, with baguette, on a bed of salad, in soup, it can be a special delicacy for guests of all tastes.
These trendy, healthy fast foods can be very colourful and, not least, cost-effective. It's worth experimenting with one or two varieties on the menu. However, don't forget meat lovers, as a good butcher's beef or pork is as healthy as a vegetable's best.
