I always get a little glum when I’ve missed a fruit’s prime (it happens more than I would like to own up to – but such is life). However, as I’m looking at a sad and relatively squishy fruit, be it bananas, melons, apples, or berries, I breathe a sigh of relief because I remember that I can cook with them instead of tossing them into the compost heap (or the bin).
Overripe fruit isn’t bad at all; it just has a softer, squishier texture. In fact, as a fruit ages, it gets sweeter in a more complex way. The sugars can develop a more caramel-like flavour or intensify the fruit’s flavour as a whole. And this intense flavour is perfect for cooking and baking.
Here are 5 easy recipe ideas for when you have to deal with an overripe fruit.
1. Make popsicles
With the weather becoming increasingly warm, take those overripe fruits and blend them up (peel them if they have a tough skin, like melons, and remove any blemishes that look suspect). Blend them with yoghurt for a frozen yoghurt popsicle, coconut milk for a more tropical vibe, or fruit juice. You can sieve the mixture before pouring it into popsicle moulds for a smoother texture. Add some fresh herbs like mint for an extra burst of flavour. Freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.
2. Smoothies
One of the obvious choices, but such a goodie: use overripe fruit to make smoothies. Blend up with some milk, or milk alternatives, yoghurt or coconut milk. Or, take it one step further by first blending up overripe fruits without any additions, and pouring them into ice trays and freezing. Then, for breakfast or a refreshing dessert, blend the frozen fruit cubes with a dairy of your choice for a thick, almost-sorbet smoothie-bowl. Top with some fresh berries, mixed seeds, or toasted coconut and enjoy.
3. Make jam
Just like our moms and oumas would, make a simple jam. All you need is fruit, in our case, overripe fruit, sugar, lemons (or store-bought pectin), and maybe a couple of spices. Weigh your overripe fruit. That number is the amount of sugar you’ll need. Combine these two ingredients in a pot and let it stand overnight (this process makes the jam cook and taste better).
The next day, add the spices and lemon juice (you can also pop in the juiced halves for more flavour), bring the mixture to a boil, stirring all the while. Once at a boil, bring down to a simmer and skim off any foam that starts to sit at the surface. After about 20 to 30 minutes, it’s time to test.
Take a small spoonful of the jam and pop it onto a saucer, and place it in the fridge for 5 or so minutes. If the jam sets or stalls, as in it becomes nice and thick and doesn’t run all over the plate, then you’re ready to bottle it! Cook it down more to get to the consistency you like, or add more lemon juice (or store-bought pectin).
4. Make compote
Compote is such a secret weapon to have in the fridge (or freezer). It can help you finish off your breakfast, add some interest to a meaty dish, or make for the perfect extra for dessert. Simply de-pip or de-stone overripe fruits and pop them into a saucepan with some sugar and spices (like vanilla, star anise, allspice, cinnamon, or cardamom). Add a splash of vinegar and a tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness, and bring it to the boil, stirring all the while.
It’s done when you’re happy with the taste (add more sugar or acid for balance), and the fruit has amalgamated into this delicious chunky, syrupy sauce. Serve hot over flapjacks or waffles, or cool it slightly to add to your morning yoghurt or oats. Spoon it over meaty dishes like pork and venison, or over an ice-cream sundae, yum!
5. Bake with them
Take your baking skills to the next level by baking with overripe fruits. Citrus fruits work really well in cakes, whether they’ve been blended whole into a batter, chopped up and mixed through the batter, or sliced to line the bottom of a cake tin for an upside-down effect. Stone fruits, berries, and rhubarb make for the quintessential base for crumble, cobbler or fruit pie. Or, whip up a quick caramel and pop in some overripe bananas or apples, top with puff pastry and bake in the oven for a luscious tarte tatin (don’t forget the scoop of vanilla ice cream).
Whatever you choose, you will no doubt end up with a flavoursome compote, baked good, smoothie, popsicle or jam. Overripe fruit does not mean food waste, just an outlet for some kitchen creativity!
