[Sideways]

I was wondering, of all the stuff that ends up on the compost heap over a growing season, what could actually be used in the kitchen?

In the current economic climate, are we throwing away perfectly good food?

For example, I read that the leafy part at the top of a sprout plant is perfectly edible and tasty too!
Have you ever tried broad-bean leaf soup? 

Do you have any tips for a more frugal use of this year’s harvest?

[Steve.P]

I agree with you Sideways,

I wasted so much stuff last season. Think i went a bit mad with the seedlings. I could not give the stuff away fast enough. This year i'm planning to be a bit more choosy in my planting. Just going to plant what we can eat and freeze. Famous last words

[mumofstig]

witness my post today moaning about the price of veg........gotta grow more.
But not only that i've been using more of the dark outside leaves of cabbage. They look a bit manky but after a good clean they're fine and better for you. Also green parts of leeks are used for soup and not thrown away.
Although i had a few gluts this year i put it all in freezer instead of just dumping it, so that worked out ok. I am going to bottle more tomato sauce this year (hopefully!) instead of freezing so that freezer space can take other veg.
Really don't want to buy anything this year except potatoes.......as haven't got enough room for all of those. But it all depends on the weather...........think we deserve a half decent summer this year

[RichardA]

I agree but we use any excess veg incl tops and greens and peelings to feed the ducks who give us eggs and enriched straw for the compost in any case.
Is enriched the right word??
We also do a lot of soups and of mixed salads both of which can use a wide variety of bits and bobs.
R

[sclarke624]

About 20 years ago I used to get brussel tops from the grocers, they were simply called greens and tasted bit like spring greens.  I always thought that was what they were but according to this forum they are not.  Anyway they were very nice.  You need a good old fashioned green grocers they'll tell you.

[staffygirl]

must admit here on bolton market the price of veg has doubled,last year you could get 2 decent sized cabbages for 80p,today they the size of peas [well maybe not] but they want a quid for 2.I am only 48 and crumbling what about the more elderly,they cant afford this price.So i am hopin to do a bit extra for my elderly neighbours round me i know cant afford it.Mine will be free.

[Salmo]

When you nip off the top 3 inches of broad beans to stop blackfly infestation they are good steamed as greens. Wash carefully to get blackfly out of them.

[Christine]

Sure there is a use for everything but don't be too mean to your compost heap which is a valuable resource (you don't want to be having to buy compost do you?  )

That is - unless you can "harvest" compostable waste from other sources.

Don't forget to eat the leaves of your beetroot and swedes which are only cabbage leaves in another form. 

[sunshineband]

Last year I was a bit over generous with sowings and found that there was a lot of thinning needed. These little guys made a tasty addition to salads and sandwich fillings, rather like mustartd and cress. This year am deliberately growing some densely for this, and now know these are called micro leaves. Beetroot, carrot bring 'em on!

[Salmo]

Only eat small beetroot leaves in salad. Larger leaves contail oxalic acid which can do you harm.

[mumofstig]

Think you'd have to eat a lot of them to do yourself harm IMO as they're similar to spinach leaves in that respect, and they are both high in folic acid.....very good for you.

[Salmo]

Yes, but you usually eat big spinach and spinach beet leaves steamed which breaks down the oxalic acid. Too tough for salad.

[mumofstig]

I've never thought of cooking beet leaves have to give it a try
Every day's a school day and you certainly learn things on here ( and surprise..
not all of it's rubbish)

[Elcie]

I steamed the beetroot leaves last year and they were delicious!  Definitely a brilliant suggestion (which i saw on here originally!)

[woodburner]

My kitchen waste is currently going to the worms and the worms will eventually go to the chooks, saving me some money on feed and giving me manure and eggs.