Food glut challenge. Please help!

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

We are about to go away and have an unexpected food glut to deal with. This is due to some food ripening early and also to DH walking past the supermarket and deciding to pop in and buy things we already had.

Our local food banks don't accept fresh food and there is only so much we can offload on to people so somehow, in 4 days, we need to get through...

-3 kg of potatoes (planning on doing a small Spanish omelette but then what?)
-3 large cucumbers (like them but I'm getting a bit fed up TBH)
-Tons of runner beans (not keen)
-Tons of plums (ripened earlier than usual; going to make some jam but would love to hear of other ways to get through them)
-1.5 kg of carrots
-Half a large bag of cavolo Nero (no idea what to do it, DH bought it on a whim)
-One pack of broccoli (just eaten 2 in the last 2 days)
DH and the DC are somewhat reluctant to eating vegetables, I can only eat so much!

I know some of you love a food challenge so please hit me with your ideas and recipes oh wise mumnetters. We have a well-stocked larder and freezer space.

TIA

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

Bump

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

How long are you away for? Carrots and potatoes could last if in a cool dark place.
Plums gotta go in a crumble.
I reacon you have the base of a veggie shepherds pie.
Cucumber has to go in Pimms
Potatos to make fishcakes (tinned tuna and chilli is good). Good to put in freezer too.

[FauxFox]

Pickle the cucumber
Freeze the plums in crumble size portions
Do a massive veg stir fry with the cabbage/broc/cavalo nero
Donate runner beans to animal sanctuary for treats for donkeys??

[Scrowy]

how long are you going away for!? Kept properly potatoes and carrots should last for quite a while. Longer than the average holiday anyway.

Stew plums and freeze.

Make green veggie soup and freeze.

Chop blanche and freeze the runner beans for instant greens through winter.

Make some kind of cocktail with the cucumber and get pre holiday pissed?

[Scrowy]

oooh picked cucumber nice one Faux

Actually I had a lovely starter a few years ago with raw picked veg. It had teeny tiny onions, cucumber, carrot, tiny pieces of cauliflower etc it was DELICIOUS.

I made some at home and ate it on everything for weeks.

[girlwhowearsglasses]

Get in holiday spirit and do as the Cretans do: chop up the cucumbers and salt them, serve with some shot glasses of vodka or Raki as an appetiser.
I recall a very memorable evening staying with Cretans - who don't seem to eat until ten pm- with cucumber and Raki before dinner.

[YogaPants]

Piccalilli with the broccoli, beans and carrots.

Minestrone soup to freeze with some of the carrots and calvero Nero.

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

Wow! So many good ideas thank you very much.

We are going for 2 weeks. I reckon some of the potatoes could last but the carrots are on their last legs.

I should be going to bed but all i can think of is crumble now! Is there anybody at all who likes runner beans or can advise something yummy to make with them?

Why didn't I think of cucumber and cocktails?

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

Sorry just saw your post YogaPants. I am aware of the existence of piccalilli but have never had it it looks a bit scary. What do you eat it with?

[Blondie1984]

Is there a hospice near you? Or a homeless shelter? I'm sure they would be delighted to take these off your hands

[YogaPants]

I eat piccalilli on sandwiches like a chutney but it is not as sweet.

[everythingstaken123]

www.germandeli.com/Recipe-for-Rumtopf-2

Rumptopf for the plums?

[MeganLowena]

If you have tahini etc, you could make this with the cavolo nero: deliciouslyella.com/2014/05/04/marinated-kale-salad/

I know marinated kale sounds like the epitome of dull (I was sceptical too), but it's absolutely delicious.

[Veterinari]

Rumtopft
Vegetable soup (freeze it)
Pickled cucumbers

[Weedsnseeds1]

Stew and freeze plums, pickle cucumbers, make carrot/ broccolli / kale fritters and freeze, potatoes will be ok.
Blanch runner beans and freeze so you can chuck out at a later date when you need freezer space for something edible!

[PickyParent]

I know that OP has already been away but can I just jump in to say my fave way for using potatoes is:

Cut in half/quarter, parboil them, cool under cold tap, toss in polenta or semolina then freeze on a tray (so they don't stick together). Use the frozen potatoes straight into hot fat for brilliant roasties
I keep several bags full in the freezer so can have an impromptu roast without stressing about the spuds

[Wildernesstips]

I know this is no use now, but anyone with a similar glut or who wants to give away food can use the Olio app to do so.

[kateandme]

runner beans in a white risotto is lovely.
in beef stiry fry.
ratatoullie
really good goodfood recipe for runner beans with a shallot butter
go well with peas in filo samosa type parcels
cook with bacon onion and garlic into a lovely carbanara of sorts pasta dish
chop with other veggies makes lovely veggie crumble
make a quiche like base and add cavolo nero to bacon mixture
saute bacon onion and cavolo nero and stir through mashpotato or boiled patos add same mixture sprinkle with cheese and bake
sweet potato or squash stew with other veggies.cavolo nero can be added,carrots.beans