On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:10:39 -0000, "Trevor Tyrrell"
wrote:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost. Except for the
first day after I put out a canteloupe rind, the pile is virtually
odor-free.