How to Use Those Browning Fruits Before They Go Bad
By Brandi Goodman
Many fruits begin to turn brown or develop soft spots as they age. You need to use these browning fruits up before they go bad if you don't want your money to go to waste. Eating them plain may be out of the question with the spots deterring you from taking a bite. There's still plenty of other ways to use them up that won't make you hesitate.
Bake Them Into Bread
Banana bread is one common option that uses bananas that seem to have already gone bad. You may not want to eat a fully brown banana, but the fruit still tastes great baked into this lovely concoction. Plenty of other fruits can be baked into bread as well, even if you haven't yet tried them. An apple cinnamon bread, for example, is an equally tasty treat.
Turn Them into Smoothies
A smoothie is a great option for using up fruit that's about to spoil. You won't even be able to tell after you blend your fruits with low-fat milk, ice, and whatever other ingredients you want to use. It will provide a delicious and fast meal option for when you're on the go or simply craving a frozen treat that doesn't add too many calories or fat to your daily count.
Make Popsicles
Get a popsicle mold and puree your fruit into a blended concoction that can be frozen inside it. Add a stick and you have a handy treat you can pull out on a warm day. It's also a great treat option if you have kids.
Create a Fruit Puree for Pancakes
Old fruit can be used up easily during breakfast. Cook the fruit with a bit of sugar and water over the stove. It will become the perfect puree to pour on top of fluffy pancakes to enhance the sweetness. Wrinkled blueberries you don't want to eat work especially well for this purpose.
Consider a Marinade
If you've had kabobs with chicken and pineapple pieces, then you know fruit and meat can pair together well. The same holds true when it comes to sauce. Consider using your leftover fruit to make a marinade for meat you're about to grill. Melt together butter and garlic in a pan. Add in a bit of orange juice and some raspberries until they're boiling. Let simmer and pour in honey and your favorite barbeque sauce. You'll have a tangy yet sweet concoction that will taste great on your chicken or pork.
Don't let fruit go to waste. Cut out some of the worst spots if you like -- but otherwise use them in breads, smoothies, and more dishes so you get your money's worth. Fruits still provide plenty of vitamins and minerals even if they've aged.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rock Hill, S.C.