Uses For Overripe Fruit

I used to get frustrated when I threw away a piece of fruit because it got overripe. Now I just take the fruit when it’s heading to the edge and make something else with it.

Overripe bananas can be peeled, wrapped in foil and frozen. Eat them right from the foil as a banana popsicle or use them to whip up a batch of banana bread or a smoothie.

Frozen grapes can go straight from the freezer into your mouth. Wash, let dry on a paper towel, and then freeze. Everyone loves this summer treat.

Peaches, plums and berries go straight into Jell-O for a tasty dessert treat or snack.

Any fruit can be frozen for smoothies, ice cream, granitas or sorbet or you could get really ambitious and make jams and jellies.

Easter Candy Surplus

There aren’t many candy-oriented holidays after Easter but leftover candy can still be incorporated into desserts throughout the rest of the year.

Marshmallow-based candies go stale the quickest so if you have a choice, use these candies first. Drop one or more into a cup of hot chocolate and/or coffee or do a mocha java with a marshmallow bunny!

Chocolates can be frozen whole, chopped or sliced to be used up to six months later. After that they tend to get a soapy taste.

Chop or break chocolate into small pieces and use instead of chips to make chocolate chip cookies.

Melt chocolate down to make chocolate coated fruit, chocolate-covered popcorn or pretzels. One of my favorite things is to stir cereal into melted chocolate. Let set to a semi-soft consistency and cut into squares, allowing to completely harden before eating.