It’s a few mushrooms left over from last week’s pizza. A couple carrots that survived the Chicken Pot Pie. A stranded bag of tomatoes. A sack of snap peas wasting away in the produce drawer. They’re the gang of forgotten veggies, and they’re up to no good. Give them enough time together and there’s sure to be trouble. Before you know it they’ll be hanging out on shady looking corners in your fridge producing smells you can’t even describe and getting more deadly by the day.

It’s a dangerous game, friends. I used to give that gang of veggies free reign. When I finally uncovered them again weeks (months?!) later they had transformed from their colorful perky vegetable selves into a dark and mushy substance covered in white fuzzies. Appetizing, I know.

So into the trash they went. The forgotten veggie…lost forever.

But I’m turning over a new leaf! Leftovers need love too! Speaking of which, wouldn’t this be a refreshing ad campaign this time of year? Give me some veggies I can believe in! Save the leftovers! Vote Vegetables 2012.

Can you tell living in a swing state is slowly driving me mad?

But I digress.

Here’s the thing. Those few mushrooms and handful of cherry tomatoes may not seem like much on their own. But when you throw all of them together, they can make a really delicious, substantial, and…wait for it…healthy meal.

This is my new solution to the rotting veggie dilema. Throw them all in a large skillet together with some sesame oil and garlic (ginger is also wonderful…if I would’ve had some on hand it definitely would have been going in this pot). Saute them up until they’re nice and tender and colorful. Add some sauce. I used a mixture of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and Sriracha, but  you could go sweet by adding some brown sugar or Hoisin sauce or go Teriyaki style with some…well…Teriyaki sauce.

Add some noodles (use rice noodles to make it gluten free!) and you’ve just made yourself a fresh, healthy, quick, and simple dinner. Plus you’ve used up that gang of forgotten vegetables. PLUS, you’ve saved yourself from having to clean up a juicy mold mess in your fridge. That’s what I call a win.

Forgotten Veggie Spicy Udon Noodle Bowl

Cook Time 20 minsPrep Time

Preparation 10 minsCook Time

Total Time 30 mins Total Time

Serves 3     adjust servings

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Ingredients

• 2.5 oz. udon noodles
• 3 Tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 Tablespoon Sriracha (This amount will have your lips tingling. If you don't like a lot of spice reduce to 1 teaspoon)
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 4 cups assorted veggies (I used cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, grated carrots, and snap peas)

Instructions

1. Cook udon noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat sesame oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about one minute. Add mushrooms, carrots, and snap peas and saute until tender, 2-5 minutes. Stir in noodles.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, Sriracha, and soy sauce. Pour over noodles and veggie mixture and stir to coat. Toss in tomatoes and stir until just heated through. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

by Courtney

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 235kcal Calories from fat 129
% Daily Value
Total Fat 14g	22%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Sodium 424mg	18%
Carbohydrate 22g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 3g
Protein 7g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

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Recipe by Neighborfood