Is there anything you eat that others consider waste?

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I know some people cut the green leaves off leeks and spring onions, for example, and just throw those away. We use all of those, plus young leaves around the cauliflower, the stalks of broccoli (partner loves this roasted), leaves from beetroot… bits and pieces like that. A few years ago we were visiting partner’s parents at the end of the summer. They had a row of runner beans in the garden and I noticed there were some big bean-pods still hanging there. I asked if they were going to use those and they said ‘Oh no, those are just going to the compost heap’ so I asked if we could have them. Of course runner beans are usually eaten, pods and all, as tender young beans, and when they get too big the pods are horribly stringy and even woody. But there are big beans inside which you can use just like any other beans. Often they have the added advantage of being a pretty pink and purple colour so the girls were keen to help pod them! The grandparents watched us pod all the pretty beans and take them away. I’ve noticed since then that they never seem to have any over-mature beans left any more. All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.