Underutilized foodstuffs include anything abundant that isn't generally eaten by humans but could be - and could provide valuable nutrients(...)( usually vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre ). Food efficiency helps stop global hunger and deforestation. (...)( These underutilized foodstuffs tend to be fed to animals, currently, which is less efficient than people eating them directly. )
Molasses
When sugar cane or beets are processed into white sugar, molasses is the part left over. It contains all the vitamins & minerals that were stripped away. People do eat some molasses, but not "enough" relative to white sugar - thus most molasses ends up as animal feed. You can help by eating more molasses(...)( especially the cheaper more abundant "blackstrap molasses", as opposed to the more expensive "fancy molasses" ). Recipes coming soon.
Wheat germ
Wheat kernels contain 3 parts: Bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole-wheat flour(...)( which is just the wheat kernels, ground up ) contains all 3 in their natural proportion. But white flour contains only the endosperm. The bran and germ are left over. The bran is mostly fiber, but the germ is high in protein, oils, vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin E).
Watermelon seeds
Can be dried and ground into flour. A source of protein and other nutrients (similar to most other seeds).
Canola meal
Canola kernels contain oils, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. But currently only the oil is used in human food(...)( with rare exceptions ). After the kernels are pressed for oil, the leftover stuff is called canola meal. It's high in protein. It could probably be ground into flour and used in baking. The proteins are probably very digestible when cooked properly.[RESEARCH needed]
Whole canola might also work well: Soak the canola kernels, boil them, puree it all in a powerful blender, and use the puree in baking. That could probably replace 3 ingredients at once: oil, eggs, and milk(...)( because the profile is roughly the same: fats, protein, water and natural emulsifiers ). It would be vegan, and far cheaper than other vegan alternatives(...)( such as refined oils plus refined proteins )(...)( or such as whole plants that are more expensive than canola ).
Soybean meal
Similar to canola, soybean meal is left over from the production of soybean oil (a common vegetable oil). Soybean meal is very high in protein (about 52%). It can be ground into flour and used in baked goods.
Both soy and canola meals can also be made into refined protein powders - which have a more neutral(...)( friendly to more recipes ) flavor but less vitamin & mineral content.
Citrus peel
This includes orange peel, lemon peel, lime peel, and grapefruit peel(...)( although grapefruit peel might be a bit too bitter, and it tends to interact with medication even more than grapefruit juice does ). The pith of the fruit can also be used. [ELABORATION needed]
Avocado pit
The most controversial item on this list.
Like all seeds, avocado pits contain protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. However, the flavor is quite strong and astringent, and the health effects(...)( might be good, might be bad ) have barely been studied at all. The pit is way too tough to eat raw - it has to be boiled for a long time, kind of like beans. If you want to experiment with this, try adding an avocado pit next time you cook bean soup from scratch. The pit has to be added at the beginning - it probably needs as much cooking time as the beans.
See also