Reducing food waste might sound intimidating for every one of us as we are aware that it is a global ordeal. As cliche as it may sound, though, our tiny contribution can actually make a significant impact. If we will all try to do our part, all of us will most likely enjoy the benefits of reducing food waste.
Do you want to give it a head start? You can begin by implementing these tips.
Throwing Away Food? Keep The Tops Of Those Carrots
Just because certain foods are known as root vegetables doesn’t mean that the only part that’s edible is the root itself.
In fact, the tops of many root veggies are often as nutritious as the roots are on their own.
Such is the case with carrot tops, which actually contain a higher nutrient density than just the carrot alone. They have a crisp, earthy flavor profile and make excellent additions to soups, stews, salads, and even specialty sauces like pesto!
So, the next time you’re roasting some carrots go ahead and hang onto those tops by putting them in a Ziploc bag and storing them in the fridge or the freezer if you won’t be using them within the week.
Ends, Pieces, Skins, And Stalks Of Any Other Veggie
In addition to all the powerhouse food scraps mentioned above, you eliminate food waste even further by saving every other type of veggie scrap you have leftover from cooking.
These can be stored in the freezer until you have enough to make a rich vegetable broth, or you can add them to a bone broth for a deeper flavor profile.
Keep Your Beet Greens
One of the most creative ways to reduce food waste is by doing this tip.
You can keep your beet greens for the same reasons as you would your carrot tops. They have a delicious, earth-rich flavor and are packing a ton of nutrients.
Particularly high in A and C vitamins, as well as calcium and iron, there is no reason you shouldn’t be incorporating these into your diet, especially if you’re already using the beets anyway.
Just keep the greens next time and try these beet and beet green recipes, and you’ve already got a tasty side dish for a meal later in the week.
A quick sauté in butter with a dash of salt and pepper will have you wondering why you ever threw them out in the first place!
The Stems Of Broccoli Are Good Eating
Before you throw those vegetable stems in the trash, you should read this one first.
The stems of broccoli are just as appetizing as the curly heads of green themselves. Slightly more mellow in flavor, this veggie stalk is deceptive in how jam-packed it with health-fortifying nutrients they are.
In fact, broccoli stems offer up more Vitamin C, iron, antioxidants, calcium, and fiber than their dark green-tipped counterparts, and only contain slightly less vitamin K than the tops (dark green veggie=vitamin K).
There are plenty of ways to use them, but one of the simplest and most delicious is in a good ol’ broccoli slaw.
Benefits of Reducing Food Waste: Fruits Like Apple Peels Have Lots of Nutrition
Just like with most of the food “scraps” mentioned above, apple skins or peels are packing a plethora of nutrition that frequently goes into the waste bin.
If you are the type of person who prefers their apples peeled before eating, hang onto those skins and store them in a jar in the freezer.
You can then add them to your smoothies for additional nutrition and flavor, or you can even use them to make your very own miracle drug: Apple Cider Vinegar!
Takeaway
There are many causes of food waste, and if we aim to lessen it, we need to do our part. Most of these tips don’t even take an hour or two to practice but the impact they may have on lowering food waste is tremendous. And considering how much you could save by following these is just one of the benefits of reducing food waste.