Food waste is a significant problem. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) estimates reveal that 30-40% of the nation’s food supply is wasted each year. Food waste depletes many of our natural resources while contributing to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Fortunately, there are various actions you can take to reduce food waste, including planning your meals, buying only what you need, and storing food efficiently. Another easy way to reduce food waste, reduce your impact on the environment and save money is to use leftover food instead of throwing it away. Below are 14 clever ways to use up your leftovers.
1. Pickle Watermelon Rinds
Watermelon is a classic summer delicacy, but the skins are often discarded and only the juicy flesh is consumed. However, watermelon rinds can be preserved and pickled for a crunchy, satisfying bite.
Like pickling other vegetables and fruits, you boil the peels with sugar, water, vinegar, and salt until soft, then store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them. To see also : GUEST VIEWS: Food Bank continues to improve. Other spices and ingredients, such as cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and ginger, can be added to the mix if you’re feeling festive.
2. Use Stale Bread to Make Croutons
No need to throw away a stale loaf of bread. On the same subject : Africa Seeks Local Repair When War Worsens Food Crisis. Instead, use it to make some delicious homemade croutons (or feed the ducks in the pond).
Cut stale bread into cubes and mix them with olive oil and spices, such as rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder or black pepper. Then place the cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 205°C (400°F), or until golden and crispy.
Homemade croutons are delicious in salads, casseroles and soups, adding extra flavor and crunch to a meal.
3. Make Fruit Peel Jam
Instead of throwing away the peels of fruits like oranges and apples, keep them to make delicious fruit peel jam. To see also : The survey finds that 1 in 3 people in the DC region face insecure food.
How to make homemade fruit peel jam:
When this liquid has cooled, pour it into sterilized jars or cans and store in the refrigerator. Fruit peel jam is a delicious addition to yogurt bowls, chia pudding and other healthy sweets.
4. Make an Air Freshener Using Citrus Peels
Citrus peels absorb odors well, which makes them an excellent addition to homemade air fresheners.
Boil citrus peels with water and spices like cloves or cinnamon to instantly refresh your kitchen. Another DIY option is to scoop out the flesh from a fruit like an orange, grapefruit or lime and fill the skin with herbs, essential oils and sea salt.
5. Make Homemade Bone Broth
Save your money. Instead of buying expensive bone supplements or powdered mixes, make your own bone broth at home using leftover meat bones. Place the roasted bones in a large pot with enough water to cover them completely. Bring to a gentle boil and cover for 24-48 hours to cook. Then strain the soup through a mesh sieve, transfer to jars and store in the refrigerator.
In addition to being an excellent addition to stews, soups, sauces and fillings, bone broth is also a pleasant, comforting alternative to coffee or tea.
6. Sauté the Stems of Leafy Greens
The fibrous stems of leafy vegetables such as cucumbers and kale can be difficult to eat. Instead of discarding the stems, save them, cut them into small pieces and saute them with a little olive or coconut oil and spices if you like.
In addition to reducing food waste, the stems of leafy greens make a tasty and nutritious side dish.
7. Make Vegetable Stock
Making homemade vegetable stock is one of the best ways to use up leftover vegetables. Place leftover vegetables in a large pot, fill with water, add herbs and spices such as peppercorns or garlic, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20-30 minutes. The soup should then be filtered through a fine-mesh sieve, transferred to a container and frozen or cooled.
You can use your homemade vegetable stock to cook grains or pasta or enhance the flavor of stews and soups.
8. Save Radish, Beet, and Carrot Leaves
Most people discard leafy greens from root vegetables like radishes, beets, and carrots. However, these greens are edible, nutritious and incredibly versatile. You can replace them with other greens in various recipes.
Saute the leaves for a quick side dish or add them to omelets, salads, pasta, soups, hummus or pesto.
9. Regrow Your Veggies
Many types of vegetables can be regrown by submerging their stems in water, saving money on groceries and reducing waste. Green onions, cabbage, leeks and celery are vegetables that work particularly well.
Cut off the bottom of the stem and place it in a shallow container with enough water to cover the roots. Although significant growth may take time, you will see progress within just a few days.
10. Fertilize Your Garden with Used Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds are an excellent natural fertilizer for plants and provide organic matter to the soil, which helps them flourish. They also attract earthworms while improving water retention and drainage in your garden.
Sprinkle coffee grounds around plants or grate it into the top few centimeters of soil as fertilizer. Be careful: if you apply too much, the ground will clump together and prevent water from reaching the soil.
11. Freeze leftover Fresh Herbs
Freeze extra fresh herbs instead of throwing them away. Start by cleaning the herbs thoroughly, removing the stems and chopping them. After that, put them in an ice tray, cover with water and freeze for a few hours. Then take the cubes out of the freezer and put them in a plastic bag.
Transfer the cubes to a smaller bowl when ready to use, wait for the water to dissolve, then drain and dry the herbs.
12. Make Suet from Bacon Grease
Suet is an animal fat commonly used in bird feeders to keep birds warm in the winter. Although you can buy bacon cakes for your bird feeder, you can also make your own at home using leftover bacon or pork drippings.
To remove contaminants, strain the remaining drippings through a fine sieve. Then, if you want to attract more birds, you can add dried fruit, unsalted nuts or peanut butter.
13. Freeze Leftover Tomato Paste
Since most recipes call for some tomato paste, there is usually plenty in a can. Additionally, you can freeze leftover tomato paste to extend its shelf life instead of throwing it away.
Spoon the remaining tomato paste onto the prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm. After about three hours, transfer the scoops to a plastic bag and freeze for up to three months until ready to use.
14. Try Composting
Composting is a fantastic way to put food waste to good use while reducing waste. This involves collecting organic items such as leaves, flowers, twigs, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells from your kitchen or yard. As this organic matter breaks down, it produces nutrient-rich compost, improving soil quality and encouraging plant growth.
You can compost in your backyard or use a kitchen composter indoors. Many cities also have local bins or composting programs where you can dispose of your waste.
In Conclusion
Food waste is a big problem all over the world. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to use up your leftovers to reduce food waste and become a more environmentally conscious consumer. To practice sustainability while saving money, try a few of the suggestions above.
Finding creative ways to use leftovers can help diversify your diet while reducing waste. Don’t hesitate to try new foods or use parts of plants that you wouldn’t normally use in cooking, such as peels or stems. You might discover some new favorites!
