by Michele Miller

Let’s face it. Most of us end up with tons of leftover tomatoes, greens, or even fruit if you’re lucky enough to have established fruit trees or vines.

I imagine you’ve done all of the following to use up your flavorful, homegrown produce:

• eaten raw
• made salads
• baked casseroles
• fattened up omelets
• canned
• frozen
• steamed
• grilled
• shared with friends and family
• and more!

 

You’ve probably even donated to the local shelter and/or families in need.

But…

There is still more and you just don’t know what to do with it.

I personally love to juice and make smoothies. Drinking a healthful dose of veggies and fruits is a great way to get your body chock full of nutrients you otherwise might not be able to cram in.

And if you have a picky eater or two in the family, this is the perfect way to jazz up the produce you dream of them gobbling up.

I’m leaving the recipe up to you. That’s right!

If you have leftover tomatoes, greens, and herbs, make yourself a homemade version of V8! Maybe you’ll end up with a V4 or whatever. The idea is that you’re making great use of your garden excess and giving your body what it craves.

Say you’ve canned and frozen your fruit ‘till your blue in the face – and you still have leftovers. Add a little yogurt (I prefer Greek for its decadent creaminess) and toss in some of the fruit that has you baffled. Perhaps a little cinnamon, half a frozen banana and a pinch of nutmeg thrown in and you’ll have a luscious fruit smoothie that will leave your family begging for seconds!

The idea here is get creative. If you have a juicer, throw a little of this and that in there, and test-taste as you go along. End up with too much to drink in one sitting? Freeze the excess juice for another day.

Don’t have a juicer? Hopefully you have a blender. Experiment until you come up with a consistency that’s just right for you. Like thick smoothies? Add little or no liquid. Want a smoothie that’s almost the consistency of a juice? Add liquids a little at a time ‘till its perfect.

And if you don’t have a juicer or blender, consider investing in one for the upcoming gardening season. They’re super handy to have around and so fun to use.

Happy juicing and blending!

Oh, and don’t forget to add any excess greens to your smoothies. Start with a tiny amount until you feel more confident with it, then throw in a handful or two. You might even find yourself braving a Rainbow Grass recipe quite often….