Does bruised fruit on your counter start to bring you anxiety each time you step into the kitchen? Do you toss bruised apples into the trash? You are not alone.
There is a reason one bad apple spoils the bunch -- fruit emits ethylene as it ripens and actually signals to other fruit to ripen as well. So if you have one bruised piece of fruit sitting amongst a basket or bag, the others will likely follow suit.
Apples are actually one of the top ten produce items wasted in the U.S. Like many of us, we throw away fruit and vegetables every month but did you know Americans waste approximately $1800 annually and produce is one of the top items in landfills? By making an effort to waste less food at home, we can make a huge difference in the greenhouse gas emissions from food waste and save ourselves money.
For the most part, bruises do not sully the full apple. A bruise, usually an indication of cellular damage and oxidation, can easily be cut off before consuming. Even wrinkled apples can still taste good.
We rounded up 8 ways to use up apples and prevent food waste, whether you have a bushel or just one lonely apple on the counter. Most of them use kitchen appliances you already have in the cupboard.
A LITTLE APPLE
When you would otherwise toss it
1. ADD TO YOUR NEXT SALAD
Bitter chicories or greens are a great match for sweet apples. Try this recipe from Bojon Gourmet which features apples, chicories, fennel, and Grana.
Photo credit: Alanna Taylor-Tobin, Bojon Gourmet (reprinted with permission)
2. SHRED INTO GRANOLA OR MUESLI
Use a cheese grater to shred apples into granola, yogurt, or try this recipe for traditional Bircher muesli. This is a great, fast, healthy way to use up an apple on its way out.
3. TOP YOUR PIZZA
Apples are a great vegetarian topping that add a tart twist to your pie. Try this recipe which combines apples, caramelized onions, and goat cheese for the win.
4. WHIP UP SOME APPLE SOUP
While not a common ingredient in many soups, apples can add a sweet and tart character to butternut squash or carrot soups, perfect for cool fall days. Try Sophie Roe’s apple soup for an easy lunch.
LOTS OF APPLES
When you’ve got a peck or a full bushel
5. BAKE AN APPLE PIE OR PIES
Probably the most exciting of the lot. Dig out your grandma’s famous recipe or try this salted caramel one by Benjamina Ebuehi from Carrot and Crumb.
6. CHURN OUT APPLESAUCE
If you have an apple tree or a neighbor does, make applesauce to preserve the fruit. Try making this recipe which uses the peel and avoids the hassle of peeling.
7. COOK UP APPLE CHUTNEY
Similar to making applesauce, apple chutney uses up a lot of apples and can keep formonths if stored properly. This Indian apple chutney uses star anise, fennel, cinnamon, cloves, and cumin for its distinctive flavor.
8. MAKE APPLE CHIPS
Perhaps the ultimate healthy, crunchy snack. This recipe uses an oven so you don’t need a food dehydrator. Be sure to store in an airtight container to ward off moisture.
GOT ANOTHER GREAT IDEA?
If you have another great way to use up access or leftover apples, please share!
FAQs
Using bruised apple slices won't change the taste – simply core the apples and toss them in a pot. Add a few other essential pantry items, cook, and enjoy some spicy cinnamon applesauce that's delicious on its own or stirred into a bowl of warm oatmeal.
What can you do with bruised apples? ›
Using bruised apple slices won't change the taste – simply core the apples and toss them in a pot. Add a few other essential pantry items, cook, and enjoy some spicy cinnamon applesauce that's delicious on its own or stirred into a bowl of warm oatmeal.
What does a bruised apple mean? ›
Once an apple gets bruised, it will likely come into contact with oxygen and be prone to spoilage more quickly. To slow down the process, Alibrandi suggests stashing it away from other fruits that emit gasses that expedite the ripening process (and lead to further browning).
Is it okay to eat bruised apples? ›
Bruised apples are safe to eat. To preserve your apples for longer keep them in the fridge and away from high-ethylene-producing fruits (avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, figs, green onions, kiwi, pears, potatoes, and tomatoes).
How to use up a lot of apples? ›
There are so many more apple recipes to try – chutney, apple glazed pork chops, apple turnovers, apple cheddar scones, apple molasses upside-down cake, challah, and these extremely adorable apple pie cookies. You'll have to excuse me, I have some baking to do.
What can I use fallen apples for? ›
Often, these fallen fruits are a little more mature and contain higher sugar levels, making them an excellent ingredient for crafting deliciously potent hard ciders and apple spirits. Furthermore, an innovative trend has emerged wherein these fallen apples are dried and ground into apple flour.
Is it OK to eat fallen apples? ›
Apples on the ground may have a mould that produces the mycotoxin patulin. The toxin often occurs on apples that are partially rotted. Patulin can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. “These symptoms are generally mild and disappear when you stop eating the contaminated food,” Gran says.
Can I eat bruised bananas? ›
Is it really spoiled and unsafe to eat? The fact of the matter is no— bruising does not indicate the produce is past its prime and has gone bad. It simply is a reaction that occurs as cells break down and are exposed to oxygen that causes the browning.
What is the apple a symbol of in the Bible? ›
The unnamed fruit of Eden thus became an apple under the influence of the story of the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. As a result, the apple became a symbol for knowledge, immortality, temptation, the fall of man and sin.
What to do with bruised windfall apples? ›
Sauerkraut lovers can bulk out their favorite condiment by making a batch with apples. Their sour flavor pairs perfectly with this fermented cabbage, and it's an excellent use for bruised and damaged fruit.
The fact that apples are not clear in helping you sleep better, but it can also potentially increase the risk of diseases caused by eating late at night. So, if you are not hungry before bedtime and feel you can still go to sleep, you should skip eating apples.
Can you use bruised apples for apple juice? ›
Then, you will need to chop your apples up into smaller pieces. This is not so necessary for our Apple Scratter, but it can be a good idea to make sure any rotten or wormy parts are cut away! You can keep the cores and bruised areas (this makes the juice sweeter!).
Can dogs eat bananas? ›
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.
How do you put apples to sleep? ›
Unlike humans, apples can live, albeit in a sleepy state, with reduced levels of oxygen. Shortly after picking, apples are placed in bins and stored in large sealed, windowless, and unlit storage rooms where the air is refrigerated to slightly above freezing and most of the oxygen is removed.
Can apples be frozen? ›
Sweeter apples such as Fujis or Galas are more likely to hold their flavor than tart varieties, but any apple will do fine in the freezer for six to nine months. Perhaps more important to keep in mind, though, is that freezing an apple does alter the texture, leaving the flesh spongier than that of a fresh apple.
Should I leave apples on the counter? ›
At room temperature, apples will last about 5 to 7 days.
Beyond that, they begin to degrade in quality and nutritional content. They begin to lose their flavor and freshness and either shrivel or get mushy. Once that happens, most people would rather toss them than eat them.
How do you save a bruised apple? ›
Anything that's bruised or dinged deteriorates more quickly, so slice off the bad parts and use the rest to make apple cider. Position apples in a single layer—not touching each other—in a box or drawer. Wrap each apple in a newspaper (or paper bags, paper towels, or butcher paper), which provides extra protection.
What to do with bruised fruit? ›
Here's her method: “Simmer chunks of bruised fruit with water or fruit juice (like fresh orange juice), sweetener like sugar/honey/maple syrup, a spice or two if you want (cinnamon, cardamom, star anise) until it completely breaks down and becomes jammy.” Use it to top yogurt, spread on toast, or blend with a smoothie.
Can bruised or discolored fruit be used? ›
Bruised Fruits
Apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines and similar fruit that appear bruised are often usable. Cut away the bruised section and eat the remainer of the fruit normally. Bruising is often caused by shipping or handling and is not an indicator that the fruit is spoiled.
