vegetables - any uses for the leaves?

beachbeth

JackieO wrote: »

Handy if you have a rabbit or tortoise I suppose

My guinea pigs eat mine!:p

kitschkitty

My rabbit gets the outer leaves and loves them, I just cook the small inner leaves.

I would say compost or find someone with a pet who would appreciate them!

ceridwen

ceridwen wrote: »

Further on using leaves generally - I've seen a YouTube clip about sauteing radish leaves - on the menu for tonight to try out:D

Just tried that sauted radish leaf dish.

Verdict - a decent amount of leaves from one bunch of radishes is only one helping worth. That wasnt a problem to me - in my single person household.

Taste - ....I'll be doing it again:D. DEAD simple it was - heat bit of olive oil, throw in chopped garlic clove, add the well-washed radish leaves and saute till bright green and wilted (only takes 1-2 minutes), add bit of salt and black pepper and then use as a side dish with something else.

It was NICE:D. Moreish...

domesticgoddess789

ceridwen wrote: »

Chop them up small and use as part of a stirfry perhaps?

I shall follow this thread - as I suspect other ideas for the bits people normally waste will crop up in the course of it:D

I'll add in the first thought on that - not many people seem to know that one can eat radish leaves. Yep - I've made pesto with them before now (ie using them in place of basil) and I'm contemplating trying out a recipe I found for sauteing them for a minute or so with a bit of garlic and olive oil.

What was your radish leaf pesto like Ceridwen? I've got a glut of radishes and really do not like the thought of throwing away the leaves. I love basil pesto but do not want to buy all the expensive pesto ingredients if it was horrible and then it all go to waste though

ceridwen

pinkhayley789 wrote: »

What was your radish leaf pesto like Ceridwen? I've got a glut of radishes and really do not like the thought of throwing away the leaves. I love basil pesto but do not want to buy all the expensive pesto ingredients if it was horrible and then it all go to waste though

Nice:). I've done it again since. I think it was sunflower seeds that I used (for cheapness) instead of pinenuts. Goes off scratching head wondering if my second attempt was using walnuts instead of pinenuts - think it was....couldnt swear to it...

domesticgoddess789

ceridwen wrote: »

Nice:). I've done it again since. I think it was sunflower seeds that I used (for cheapness) instead of pinenuts. Goes off scratching head wondering if my second attempt was using walnuts instead of pinenuts - think it was....couldnt swear to it...

Yes I always use sunflower seeds for cheapness when making pesto with basil. I guess it is worth a go anyway . I'm also definitely going to try the sauted radish leaves recipe you posted as well. Thank you for your speedy response by the way!

Spendless

I don't have a composter either and just a lawn, my neighbour though has a composter and I gave her my veg peelings just plonk it in a bag and leave it on her bin.

jap200

And if so, how to cook them and is it worth it and what do they taste like?

I have a big bunch of fresh leafy parsnip tops just cut off some home-grown parsnips - they look so fresh and healthy that it seems a shame to compost them.

Sublime_2

Don't forget Googles your friend!

A quick search has come up with this long list.

jap200

Sublime wrote: »

Don't forget Googles your friend!

A quick search has come up with this long list.

I did google before coming here, but there are such conflicting opinions on this that I thought I would come here and get real advice from people who may actually have tried and succeeded or failed!