Hey! Today I have an unusual entry for you, but I would like to touch on a very important problem: what to do with the food scraps, leftover food that remains after Christmas, communion, name day and all family gatherings?
As every year, we promise ourselves that this time we will cook less and better plan meals adapted to the number of guests, but it is obvious that we do not always succeed. Food leftovers fill our fridges after Christmas and we don’t know what to do with them. However, it’s absolutely a pity to throw it away, and it’s also not worth waiting for it to break down. In line with the idea of no waste and less waste – we can always use them somehow!
Let’s not waste, throw away or wait for the excess food to spoil in the refrigerator! There are people who really need any help.
We can always eat food scraps in a different way
In my family home, we always eat dishes from Christmas Eve on the second day – e.g. borscht for breakfast 🙂 And also for the rest of the day, so they tend to drop a bit, but it is known that after some time everyone is fed up with even the tastiest dishes. If there is still too much left, you need to get creative and change it up a bit. Instead of borscht with dumplings – eat fried ears with dumplings, cabbage with mushrooms can be considered an addition to dinner with a cutlet and potatoes, and I use white beans from Christmas Eve in my salad for dinner.
Groats with plums as a cold dessert with cocoa and honey, similar to millet. I made sweet poppy seed balls from kutia.
What to do with leftover food? Freeze food scraps or store it for later
If there is still too much food, you can always freeze it for later. Dumplings, stuffed cabbage and ears can be frozen for a long time. One day they will be a great dinner soon. Cakes will be useful for unexpected guests or when you are in the mood for something sweet. Most cakes, even cheesecake, can be frozen for up to three months. Apple pie will stay in the refrigerator for several days. Cookies and gingerbreads will stay fresh for several months, stored in tin boxes. Pour the wine into ice molds and put in the freezer. They will be useful for drinks or sauces. Soups without potatoes can be stored in the freezer for several months. Wrap the bread in cling film and freeze. You can also dry them for breadcrumbs or feed wintering birds.
What to do with leftover food? Share with those in need
It is worth looking around for an elderly, lonely person or other needy living in the area. My grandfather is a big cat lover, every year, right after Christmas Eve, he would take leftover fish for wild cats from the area and put them at the garbage can. Once a homeless man approached us and asked for a portion. He didn’t smell alcohol, he seemed nice and ordinary – hungry and cold. Grandpa, of course, went for more food, old blankets and unnecessary jackets. From now on, we always leave the leftovers in the same place, separately, wrapped in a package – whether someone in need will pick them up, a freegan on a hunt or a homeless animal – it does not matter, it is important that someone was useful to someone. We give the rest to the shelter and remember not to cook too much …
Where can I return my food scraps?
Christmas collection
In many cities, not only food collections are organized before Christmas, it is worth looking in the press for information about the local, this year’s campaign.
Homeless shelters
There are hostels in every city and almost all of them are happy to accept packages with leftovers after Christmas and generally have no restrictions. Remember, however, not to bring spoiled and stale food. You can also look for the addresses of local houses for single mothers – such centers need everything, because sometimes women with children go there literally after running out of the house … Clothes, cosmetics, baby things – any help will be useful.
Caritas
The Caritas Polska organization may issue a donation invoice, so you will be able to deduct this amount from your tax. If we bring food in the morning, a few needy will receive it on the same day. So you can help not only on holidays.
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Polish Red Cross
The Polish Red Cross packages are prepared every week, so it is worth calling the office before delivering any gifts. Food is included in packages of clothes on holidays. Every day, you can give dry and canned food, which will always be useful and will not spoil.
Food sharing and foodsharing, i.e. a shared fridge
Food can be delivered to one of the eateries after Christmas or left in the community refrigerator. Shared refrigerators are open at several outlets in many major cities. They operate as part of the annual “Let’s Share” aid campaign.
Summarizing
As you can see, there are a lot of methods for what to do with food scraps and we do not have to throw away these unnecessary leftovers – you can easily give them to someone who will be very useful, in this way we will do a really good deed and will not contribute to littering the planet .
What will you do with your leftovers? Asia
