Einstein's Recipes | Veggie Chop

The Talking Texan Parrot

Veggie Chop for Parrots

Einstein Parrot Veggie Chop

I started making Veggie Parrot Chop after reading a blog post from Parrot Nation. I must give credit to Patricia Sund for this wonderful idea! It has been a real time saver and is so nutritious! Just like mash, I’m sure there are several variations. Each time I make it, it is always different because I’m always adding different vegetables. Here are the basics of what I do.

Before we start... Jeff gives me a ride in the "Chop" bowl! Weeeee!

Einstein selecting vegetables to make chop
Einstein's Veggie Chop

Go crazy in the produce area! Buy organic if possible. If not, please wash very, very well with a Veggie Wash product. (I've included a good homemade Veggie Wash recipe below.)
This list of Veggies is just a guide. Use creativity and buy what looks good and what is in season.

2 Sweet Potatoes (I use Garnet Yams, but you can also use butternut squash or pumpkin, just keep the amount to equal about 1 1/2 lbs.)
3 Carrots chopped (With the green tops if you can get them)
3 bunches of fresh greens. (Choose from Swiss chard, dandelion, kale, mustard, turnip, beet greens etc.)
1 bunch cilantro or Italian Parsley
2-3 Jalapeño pepper
1-2 Poblano peppers
1 zucchini or yellow squash
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper

Wash all vegetables very well and dry very well. (I use a salad spinner) It is important to have the vegetables as dry as possible.

Prepare 1 recipe of Grain Pilaf. (recipe for Grain Pilaf)

Combine 1 cup Quinoa and 1/2 cup Amaranth in a 9 X 13 pan. Pour 3 cups boiling water, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

NOTE: I usually prep my grains the night before I make Veggie Chop, they should completely cool in the refrigerator before combining them with the vegetables. (I bake the 2 grain dishes simultaneously. Taking the Quinoa-Amaranth dish out of the oven after 30 minutes and leaving the Grain Pilaf in to cook the entire hour.)

Chop all vegetables in food processor, and place them in a large container. I use a 16” stainless steel bowl, but any large contain will do. Mix them up as you go along.

Add the cooled Grain Pilaf and the Quinoa / Amaranth to the Veggie Chop.

Add 1-2 handful uncooked veggie alphabet pasta and/or 5 Grain rolled Hot Cereal (Bob's Red Mill) This will soak up any liquid in the Veggie Chop.
1-2 handful flax seed
2-3 Tbls. (or more) cracked red pepper flakes.

You may also add what ever else you think your birdie might like for variety. Here are some suggestions: chopped nuts (almonds, pecan, cashew, etc.) pumpkin seed, pine seed, hemp seed, etc.

Package for the freezer.

Makes about 90 – 2 oz. servings

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Einstein chopping a sweet potato
Einstein using a food processor
Einstein stirs chop
Finished chop
 
Homemade Veggie Wash

Mix the following ingredients in a deep bowl or container. (The solution will fizz while being mixed.)
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
2 TBS baking soda
2 TBS lemon juice

Pour the solution in to a clean spray bottle. Spritz on fresh produce generously.
Allow solution to sit on produce for 5 minutes then rinse the produce well.

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