Tasty Ways to Rescue Overripe Fruit!
Did you know that 1.4 million bananas are wasted in the UK every single day (source)?
We at Oxford Food Hub are committed to reducing waste, but we also understand how challenging it can be to make the most of the food you have. We’ve all been there—fruit that looked perfect a few days ago is suddenly soft, spotty, and on its way out. But don’t throw it away just yet! Overripe fruit can still be delicious and it is ideal for all sorts of tasty, waste-saving recipes.
Gut Healthy Drinks
When fruit starts to get a bit squishy, don’t toss it—turn it into a gut-friendly drink instead! Fermentation might sound tricky or time-consuming, but one of the joys of it is that the bacteria does most of the work for you.
These two easy drinks are a great introduction into the world of fermentation and gut health—and they come with the added benefit of reducing food waste:
Water kefir—just add fruit, sugar, water kefir grains and water. Leave it for two days, then strain out the grains and fruit (which can be reused again and again), and enjoy a naturally fizzy, fruity drink.
Here are some more detailed recipes :
https://www.feastingathome.com/water-kefir
Kombucha—add a SCOBY to any caffeinated, sweetened tea and ferment it for a week. Then remove the SCOBY and add your overripe fruit for a second fermentation—leave it for a few more days and enjoy your homemade kombucha!
Here’s a more detailed recipe:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/kombucha-recipe
Bake It!
Overripe fruit is perfect for baking. Use bananas for banana bread, or cook down soft fruits like apples, plums, or berries for a delicious crumble. The riper the fruit, the sweeter the result!
Here are some tasty-looking recipes:
https://rainbowplantlife.com/best-easy-vegan-banana-bread/#wprm-recipe-container-5565
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vegan-apple-crumble
Easy and Quick Breakfasts
Overripe fruit is ideal for easy breakfasts. Chop it up for overnight oats, stir it into porridge, or whizz it (fresh or frozen) into a smoothie. It’s a quick, delicious way to start the day—and make the most of your fruit.
Here are some tasty-looking recipes:
https://www.thefullhelping.com/protein-rich-vegan-overnight-oats
