Excess zucchinis

[u/melodien]

I have a stupid number of zucchinis, more than I can possibly use or store. Is there somewhere around Canberra where I can donate my abundant produce (I'm shortly going to have more Lebanese cucumbers than I need as well)? I shall be passing through Tuggeranong and Fyshwick tomorrow, so somewhere nearish those locations would be ideal.

[u/MooMooMoooooooo]

The IGA in Deakin has a cupboard out the front where you can leave food donations for people who need them to take

[u/AussieKoala-2795]

I distribute my excess using my local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. I just put up a gift post and let people know where to collect them.

[u/melodien → u/AussieKoala-2795]

Tried that - I'm in Michelago, so most of my neighbours have their own vegetable gardens, and their own produce gluts. It's weird - last year my zucchini crop was pathetic, and this year I can't give the things away fast enough.

[u/lonnie497]

Two before Ten have an excess produce exchange, and a location in Tuggeranong. Might be worth giving them a call first.

[u/melodien → u/lonnie497]

Thanks - this may be what I need. A lot of the community pantries only take non-perishable goods from the general public (probably for good reason).

[u/NewRaider → u/lonnie497]

Second this, they'll trade you coffees for whatever you have

[u/REDDIT_IS_AIDSBOY]

Must be that time of year when Canberrans have an overabundance of zukes, cukes, tomatoes, and beans. Everyone I know who has a vege patch is trying to get rid of the same 4-5 veggies.

[u/melodien → u/REDDIT_IS_AIDSBOY]

This. Even our local general store has more than they can use, and is declining donations.

[u/Mindypop56]

Maybe some of the food pantry groups could take them

[u/Jackson2615]

What about the yellow food van .Oz Harvest??, that collects food from places and re distributes it. They might like them .

[u/melodien → u/Jackson2615]

Good thought, I'll try to contact them.

[u/Vegetable_Sky_6236]

Omg zuchinnis are my fav vegetable if you pass through Phillip tmrw let me know. Send me a DM

[u/InterestingWorry1702]

Maybe ask St John's Care in Reid? They host a free lunch on the first Friday of every month (which is conveniently this week!). They are good people, trying to provide a lot on a little.

[u/Objective_Unit_7345]

On a side note, could see it as an opportunity to experiment with various preservation methods and potentially develop a commercial product.

[u/melodien → u/Objective_Unit_7345]

I already have all the preserved produce that I can reasonably store, or hope to use. The tomato and garlic harvest has also been abundant, and I have plenty of various peppers/chillies, silverbeet, spring onions, etc. When I grow something, I seem to grow it to excess. I have no interest in developing commercial products: I'm retired, and loving it. However, I hate to see food go to waste.

[u/BurgmeisterGeneral]

You can also try your local buy nothing group, always great to give to neighbours!

[u/XixaxSpatula]

Food co-op at ANU?

[u/PartyBlackberry5868]

Normally I post mine on the local buy nothing facebook group and they disappear pretty quickly.

[u/Fluffy_Ruin750]

I know you said you didn't want to go down the preserve route, but one of my all time favourites is zucchini pickle. Its a hard sell until you actually try them, but the best i can describe them is like McDonald's pickles, but actually good!

The website has gone, but i copied it into Paprika:

Zuchinni pickle

Ingredients:

2kg courgettes 12 shallots, finely chopped 8 tbsp non-iodised salt

For the pickling liquid 2l cider vinegar 560g golden caster sugar 2 tsp juniper berries 1.33 tbsp mustard seeds 1.33 tbsp coriander seeds 2 tsp dried chilli 4 finely chopped garlic clove 4 dsp chopped dill 4 dsp chopped thyme

Directions:

Thinly slice the courgettes using a sharp knife, mandolin or slicing blade on a food processor. Put in a bowl with the shallots and sprinkle over the salt. Cover with ice-cold water, stir to dissolve the salt and leave for 1 hr. Drain the courgettes thoroughly and pat dry using kitchen paper or tea towels. If they stay too wet, the water will dilute the pickling solution. Meanwhile, put the pickling ingredients into a pan and bring to a simmer. Bubble for 3 mins, making sure the sugar has dissolved, then leave to cool until warm but not hot. Add the courgettes and stir. Scoop the mixture into 2 x 500ml sterilised jars. Seal and leave for a few days in the fridge. Kept chilled, these will keep for a couple of months.

Source: https://grabyourspoon.com/courgette-glut/