Recipes to use things up that are past their best.

[Mendingslowly]

I've 'discovered' two this week.

I have a glut of courgettes and I wasted some last week which really annoyed me. They go off sooner than supermarket ones.
So, for the next batch I am going to use this recipe, https://niftyrecipe.com/recipe-426-russian-zucchini-caviar.html or this one. https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/zucchini-basil-pesto/

I also hate when salad leaves go off which happens often in this house so from now on this;
https://cookieandkate.com/west-african-peanut-soup/
Most salad leaves work fine instead of collared greens.
The same recipe also works if you have tomatoes that are going off, or tomato juice-makes it into a sort of 'curry' if you add any spices or flavours you like.

Do you have any similar things to recommend for items that aren't going to last another day or so? :)

Not really a recipe but if soft fruits are on the verge of becoming inedible, I wash them/peel them/slice them (whatever is necessary) and put them in the freezer to use in smoothies.

I make a 100%vegetable sauce that usually gets used over pasta by adding some extra basil etc, but I make it neutral enough that it could be used as enchilada sauce, sauce over couscous with roast veg, by adding different spices.

As long as you add a couple tins tomatoes, some onions, then everything else I have varied, butternut, beetroot, lettuce, courgette, celery, carrot, peppers, garlic, mushrooms, leeks, pumpkin, spinach.

I wouldn't use brassica's in it though, might go bitter.

Veg curry or veg stew.

Lettuce that's on it's way out perks up if put in very cold waterbriefly.

Uneaten bags of watercress or baby leaves - cook like spinach and eat with a poached egg.

I had a look at the caviar recipe, the idea of adding mayo would put me off. This one is similar but without mayo. And it's really more for marrows than courgettes.
Russian squash marrow spread, puree, sauce Kabachkovaya ikra recipe_ – Russian Foodie (russianfood-ie.com)

What about courgette chutney or jam?

@SometimesNine , the mayo put me off too but I think I'll try yours. I've got some rather large courgettes that will be marrows soon.