When neighbors give away produce, it’s often one of these:
A garden vegetable that grows fast and in abundance
A fruit that ripens all at once
A herb that’s too much for one household
A traditional ingredient from another culture
These foods are often shared simply because there’s too much to use alone.
Once you identify what you’ve been given, preparation is usually simple. Most shared produce can be:
Eaten raw (washed well)
Roasted with oil and salt
Sautéed with garlic or spices
Added to soups, stews, or salads
Pickled or preserved for later