At Plantd.co, nothing makes us smile more than sustainable plant-based recipes made from deliciously fresh veggies! While we always try our best to enjoy every bit of our produce, life can get busy, and sometimes a well thought out plan for a week of tasty produce can quickly lead to wilted herbs in the fridge or a very full compost bin.
While composting your veggie scraps is an excellent way to keep your food-waste from entering landfills, not all food scraps should be tossed right away!
Here are 5 creative ways to give your food-waste a second life:
1. Grow Veggies From Their Scraps
Growing veggies from their scraps isn’t just sustainable, it also helps save money, AND is super fun! Give these 3 food scraps a try and you’ll always have fresh green goodness right at home.
Green Onions: Place roots/ bottom portion of the onion in a glass of water next to a sunny window. Replace the water regularly. Use green stems as they grow, or plant in the soil for a larger harvest!
Herbs: Snip herb at a node (the point where the sections of the stem merge). Place in water and replace with clean water every three days until roots emerge. Transplant to a pot or garden.
Celery/Lettuce: Place the base of a bunch of celery in a shallow bowl with water. Replace water every couple of days. Once roots begin to sprout, transplant to the ground or a pot and watch it grow!
2. Make Your Own Veggie Stock
There’s nothing quite like a cosy bowl of soup made with homemade veggie stock. Use your wilted veggies or kitchen scraps to create the perfect pot of stock! Try a few of our favourite veggie scraps in your next batch:
- Onions – skins, tops, bottoms
- Celery – tops & bottoms
- Carrots – skins, tops, bottoms
- Mushrooms – stems
- Garlic – skins, tops bottoms
Method:
Place all scraps in a large pot and add enough water to cover. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 1 hour. Turn off heat. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove solids and toss in your compost bin! Add stock to your favourite soups and rice dishes, and enjoy!
3. Dry & Store For Later
Herbs wilting in the fridge? Dry them! To dry low-moisture herbs like Rosemary and Thyme, simply tie up the stems like a flower bouquet, hang upside down in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot. Drying time varies depending on herbs, but we recommend allowing 5 – 14 days.
4. DIY Body Scrub
Want to pamper yourself or create a cute sustainable gift for your friends and family? Don’t toss out those used coffee grounds just yet! Add coffee grounds and a bit of coconut oil to an empty mason jar to make the perfect body scrub that will leave you smooth, energized, and waste-free!
5. Make Homemade Cleaners
Use your leftover citrus peels to create a sweet smelling, all-purpose cleaner free of all those chemical nasties!
Steps:
- Place citrus peels in a glass jar
- Cover Completely with White Vinegar
- Screw on the lid and let sit in a dark cupboard for 1-2 weeks.
- Strain ingredients, transfer liquid to a spray bottle with equal parts water, and start cleaning!
Plantd Tip: Get creative with your scents! We love adding cinnamon sticks, cloves, and even essential oils!