'I haven't had pigs in blankets in decades – so I gave Aldi's vegan version a try'

I've just had my first pigs-in-blankets in decades and I'm a little in awe.

There are many must-have foods people love to indulge in over the winter months - especially as Christmas draws nearer - and one of those items is the beloved classic, pigs-in-blankets.

Traditionally, this salty snack consists of a small sausage wrapped in bacon. They're a quintessential side dish at the majority of festive get togethers, not to mention the big day itself. For many, they're the star item on the legendary Christmas lunch feast.

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 pair perfectly with roast turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and gravy.

However, I must confess... 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 it. 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 little 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.

This meant 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 eager to sample them all. My fiancé, who was a fervent lover of bacon and particularly pigs-in-blankets