Presented by TP Mechanical | Prepared by HORAN
The bananas on the counter have turned brown, the apples are no longer crisp and the tomatoes have definitely seen better days. You might be tempted to just throw old, shriveled fruits and vegetables in the trash or compost bin, but pause before you do. Even when they’re past their prime, many fruits and veggies can still be put to nutritious use. In some cases, older fruit and veggies might even be better. For these delicious dishes, you won’t need any tools that you don’t already have sitting in your kitchen.
Applesauce – Applesauce is made by cooking chopped apples in a small amount of water on the stovetop. Simmer and mash apples with a potato masher until they reach desired chunkiness. You can add strawberries, pears or other fruits for different flavors, as well as cinnamon or a splash of vanilla.
Breads – Bananas, apples and zucchini are just a few of the fruits and vegetables that can be incorporated into bread or cake recipes. Grate or mash and add to a more traditional recipe, or search for a recipe that is built around a particular fruit. Shredded apple and zucchini are also great pancake additions.
Pies – Traditionally, pies can be made with any type of filling inside a pastry. Use a pre-made or homemade crust and mix together a fruit filling with those soft apples, berries or other fruits. Check out a cookbook for more ideas.
Smoothies – For a cold, nutritious treat, blend a variety of fruits and vegetables into smithereens. Any type of fruit or vegetable can be thrown into the blender and churned into a cold treat. Alter the ratio of different fruits, and try adding milk, yogurt, ice, vanilla or honey to change up the flavors.