Root to Stem Cooking: How to Cook More Sustainably

Thinking of tossing those fennel fronds or that watermelon rind? Hold up, those are tasty and nutrient-rich ingredients. With a little creativity and imagination you can turn those fruit and veggie scraps you thought were trash into a delicious sauce or a healthy snack. Taking on the challenge of eliminating food waste can be a fun, earth friendly and more mindful way to create in the kitchen. Read on to discover how with just a little extra thought you’ll be getting more than one dish and one flavor out of a single plant every time your cook.

Pouring cream into pan of soup sitting next to cutting board with herbs, peppers and lime wedges.

START WITH A STOCK

One of the easiest ways to use your produce scraps is in a stock which can be the flavor packed foundation of all kinds of soups, sauces and braises. Save everything – corn cobs, garlic and onion skins, celery leaves, cauliflower cores, fennel stems, carrot tops, the woody ends of asparagus – for the stock. It might take a little time to accumulate enough veggies for a decent size stock so keep a gallon-size freezer bag of “stock scraps” in your freezer and add to it every time you cook.

STOCK TIP:

The vegetable to water ratio for a stock may vary based on personal preference but as a general rule you need a quart of water for every pound of vegetables you use. Simply simmer water and vegetables and the seasonings of your choice for an hour, and strain. Cool and store in the fridge for up to four days or ladle 4 cup portions into freezer bags and store flat in the freezer for up to 3 months.

KitchenAid® Food Chopper in Matte Black with chopped carrots, cutting board with crudite in foreground.

TRY A TWIST ON PESTO, PISTOU OR CHIMICHURRI

Think beyond the traditional basil for your next pesto. Fennel fronds, carrot tops and beet greens, just to name a few, can be tossed in the blender or food processor with a little olive oil, minced garlic, salt, nuts and parmesan cheese to make a delicious sauce for a pasta dish or to finish a soup. Pistou, the french version of pesto, which typically is made without nuts can be prepared with non-traditional greens as well. Try radish tops for a slightly peppery twist on a classic and serve a drizzle on your fish or a piece of crusty french bread. And chimichurri, the Argentinian condiment similar to pesto, is traditionally made with parsley or cilantro but the tender leafy parts of the carrot top can be used to make a bright, herbaceous sauce that’s a great accompaniment to all kinds of meats and savory dishes.

PESTO TIP:

If you’re making pesto with greens that include a stem, like radishes or fennel, don’t throw those stems away. Add them to pasta water to infuse your pasta with a little extra flavor.

Zucchini noodles in white bowl with red sauce and grated parmesan.

PARTAKE OF THE PEELS AND PODS

The peels and skins from fruits and vegetables are often the most flavorful and nutrient-rich parts of the plant, especially if you’re using organic produce. Making mashed potatoes for a Mother’s Day dinner? Save all those bits of skin you’ve carefully peeled away, toss them in a little oil and some seasoning, then roast them in the oven for an easy, salty snack or a crispy addition to a salad. Use vegetable peels to make vegetable noodles that add new textures and tastes to old favorites.

Most of the pectin in apples is found in the skins and seeds so they’re ideal for making jelly. Use the jelly on a charcuterie board or on proteins like pork or chicken. Citrus peels – orange, limes, lemons, grapefruits – can be candied for a sweet, fragrant garnish for cakes and pastries or blended into muffins or breads. Save them to garnish at tea time or cocktail hour.

And by all means don’t throw those pricey vanilla bean pods away. Bury dried pods in your sugar jar to delicately infuse the sugar with a “vanilla-y” perfume. Or spin the pods in your food chopper with some sugar to use in baked goods.

Cucumbers getting prepped for pickling with herbs and fresh garlic.

add longevity by pickling

Has your garden produced a bumper crop of chilis, or did you only use half of the vegetables you purchased for that ratatouille? Before that produce spoils, consider pickling. Pickling can add life to the taste of produce with bright, briny notes and it can also add up to two months of shelf life to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Use your refrigerator pickles as garnishes for cocktails, or to add zest to a salad, or crunch to a sandwich or cheese plate.

pickling TIP:

The basics of pickling are simple, you need vinegar, water, kosher salt or sugar and the seasonings of your choice. A basic pickling ratio is 3:2:1 – 3 parts vinegar, 2 parts water and 1 part sugar. Use this as a starting point and add your own twist; experiment with different types of sugars and vinegars or add some pink peppercorns, yellow mustard seeds or a handful of dill.

Treat yourself to some seeds

Seeds are found in all kinds of squashes and melons and they’re not only edible, they’re nutrient dense. Toasted watermelon seeds are a tasty way to replace an unhealthy snack. And don’t forget about those cucumber seeds, they can be dried – tossed with a little olive, kosher salt and your favorite spices – then roasted for a crunchy afternoon snack or added to baked goods for a little nutritional bonus.

Don’t forget to compost

Composting is always an option for getting rid of those last few produce scraps but keep in mind that too much citrus peel or onion in the compost bin can be detrimental to healthy compost because they can kill worms or microorganisms that help with decomposition. And remember to alternate your greens (nitrogen rich) and browns (carbon-rich) to help control decomposition and odor.

_{1. Based on onion size of 90 - 110 grams.}