There is a sentence in almost every gardener ’s career where they end up with an copiousness of produce . Whether it ’s tomatoes in August or potatoes in the fall , it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do with all that fresh food . After laboring over the garden all time of year long , the last thing you require to do is watch all that endearing food go to waste , but there are only so many cucumbers you’re able to eat before acquire sick of them ! To help you reduce the amount of wastefulness in your garden , here are some ways you may preserve , prolong , and share your garden bounteousness .
Preserving your harvest
The first and most obvious way to spare your veggies from the trash can is by continue them , but there ’s more to preserve than just canning . you’re able to pickle and work a lot of veggies in your garden as well . This not only give you more options but also more variety in flavors .
Canning
Canning the green groceries from your garden has become progressively popular as backyard gardens are making a riposte . It ’s a cracking way to save surplus solid food and then have sweet home - grown produce even in the dead of wintertime . Just remember that canning is a cooking process , and your easygoing or overripe produce might turn to treacle in the procedure , so it ’s best to perplex with more firm or less advanced options when you’re able to .
Pickling
Pickling is n’t just for cucumbers , and it does n’t always have to be done with dill weed either . you could pickle just about anything , including onions , beets , radishes , carrots , unripe bean , peppers , and much more . you could add whatever spices you like as well , like ail , thyme , Cuminum cyminum , red Piper nigrum oddball , and any other seasoning from your garden or larder . Pickling can be done in a like process to terminate or in the refrigerator . Make up a few jars of pickle , give them in the fridge for a hebdomad , and they are ready to use up . Or you’re able to pickle them , can them , and have them last much longer in your larder .
Fermenting
Although it ’s less popular than pickling or canning , fermenting is a fantastic direction to apply up a bunch of green groceries . Fermented foods are fantabulous for gut wellness and make adept side dish aerial , topping , or snacks . You might think of fermented nutrient as just sauerkraut , but you could ferment lots of other veggies . Things like yogurt , kimchi , kombucha , and sourdough wampum are also version of fermenting . So store your veggies and your gut and try your script at fermentation .
Bulk batches
Everyone love a good Costco run where we bulge corrupt items we use all the time . you may do the same matter with your own produce ! Many foods can be made ahead of clip and economize in the deep freezer for month . There are many recipe out there for these type of meals , but here are some of our best-loved room to use up that fresh produce .
Muffins
You ’ve probably heard of zucchini bread , and while chocolate chip courgette bread is delicious , it can sometimes go bad before you finish the loaf of bread . gem are ideal for using up a lot of zucchinis ( you’re able to throw some cultivated carrot in there too ) , and you’re able to freeze them individually and only take out a few at a clock time . This way , the others stay wise , and nothing goes to waste . Of of course , you could also use this same proficiency for cultivated carrot cake or any other baked trade good .
Fritters
With an excess amount of potatoes , you might want to try your paw at fritters . These , too , can be freeze individually and lead out one at a meter . They make great snacks or side to eggs and bacon . Of of course , you could toss in a lot of other veggies you might have an abundance of as well .
Soups
find out any former pic with a homesteading family , and you ’ll in all probability see them exhaust soup for almost every meal . Soups and stews are easy and yummy way to habituate up a lot of food while still creating something healthy and tasty . Soups also freeze well and can be melt and heated up for a nimble and easy dinner . Try your hand atcarrot soup , beet soup , white potato soup , vegetable swither , and mushroom soup —— we’ll stop there because there ’s no shortage of soup recipes you may try out .
Casseroles
Kind of like soup but with less liquid , casserole are cheap and easy meal that parents around the globe have been using to fill niggling bellies for year . you’re able to use anything under the sun in a casserole and it will come out luscious . If you also care for chickens and have an overwhelming amount of egg , you’re able to judge a breakfast casserole to use up your eggs and your veg . It ’s a profits - profits !
Crop swaps
Now that your freezer and pantry are full of goodies to last you through winter , you might be inquire what to do now . Your family ca n’t handle any more squashes , and you ca n’t fit any more jounce on your shelves . CropSwap is an splendid alternative for getting free of the veggies you have too much of and getting more of what you do n’t have enough of . It ’s an easy - to - purpose app that gardeners across the country practice to trade their supererogatory potatoes for someone ’s auricle of corn . Download it here and try it out !
Find a food bank
Lastly , you could usethis link here and discover a food banknear you to donate some of your supernumerary produce to . It ’s a great way to give back , specially when you ’re on a budget but still want to help out .
Sometimes we gardeners get too excited and over - plant for what our family in reality need or will be able to eat on . utilize these awesome top and tricks to preserve , contribution , and give back , all while not letting any of your beautiful veg harvest go to barren .
