A guide to making the most of your leftovers.
Here at Moonshot, we’re all about climate-friendly eating and we want to help you turn your leftovers into epic snacks and meals that rid our world of needless food waste. Did you know that up to 40% of the food in the United States goes uneaten? While we know that’s a hard stat to digest, it’s also an inspiration for us all to do our part to make the most of our leftovers and become zero waste heroes in the kitchen. Not only is it beneficial to earth, but it will also save you money in the long run. Talk about a win-win.
Anyone can be a climate-friendly eater, and we’re here to show you how easy it is to do good and eat good - morning, noon, and night. Best of all, we threw in one of our favorite recipes to get you inspired. Let’s dig in!
Love the Loners
Don’t forget about those lonesome vegetables sitting quietly in the back of your fridge - like the half chopped onion, the shy chunk of ginger, or the single clove of garlic that you can’t seem to find a recipe for. Not only do they deserve some extra love, but you can combine them to make something outstanding - like the Tangy Ginger Magic Sauce recipe featured at the bottom of this article. Along with jazzing up those leftover veggies in your fridge, this easy recipe will bring some zing to any meal or snack. It’s quick, delicious, and good for the planet!
Embrace Your Scraps
Stop thinking of scraps as trash and start seeing them as the building blocks to superpowered meals. Celebrate the beauty and deliciousness of stalks, stems, roots, and peels. Not only are they loaded with the same nutrients from the rest of the plant, but they can also spice up your eating routine. Are you a chip lover? Make crispy (and healthy!) potato crisps with your leftover potato peels. Want to elevate your soup game? Toss in kale stems, carrot peels, and celery tops for a hearty and nutritious vegetable-based stock. Or grab your apple peels and make a fall-inspired tea that’s boosted with Vitamin C, E, and K (all of which are found in the peel). With a little extra creativity, you can elevate your meals while reducing your environmental impact.
Ends are Just the Beginning
It happens to all of us. We chop up a bounty of fresh produce and we’re left with a stockpile of roots and tops, which often end up in the trash or compost. But guess what, those little nuggets of joy are delicious, nutritious, and can easily be tossed into a dish. Are you a juice and smoothie fanatic? Toss those roots and tops into the Vitamix with your next morning blend. Want a veggie burger with more texture and nuance? Blitz your turnip tops or beet greens in your food processor and make a nutrient dense patty that puts frozen veggie burgers to shame.
There’s magic hidden in those stalks and stems from your produce, and with a little effort you can whip up something truly out of this world. Sadly, these bits are labeled as tough, bitter, and sometimes bland. Don’t be fooled, because when stalks and stems are chopped and cooked correctly they can become a worthy component to any meal. If you love broccoli, dice up the stems and toss them into a stir fry (or give them a peel if the stem is thick). Just make sure to add them first so they get a little more cooking time. If you’re an herb-lover, chop up the stems from your cilantro and mint and blend into your favorite pesto, salsa, or sauce. The options are endless!
If you want to help take a bite out of climate change, making the most of your leftovers is a great place to start. Once you’ve mastered this sauce recipe below, check out our other climate-friendly recipes to help you be a zero waste hero: Pesto Magic Sauce, Bits and Bobs Bowl, and Lonesome Veggie Egg Rolls!
Tangy Ginger Magic Sauce
A zesty side that brings life to just about anything.
Ingredients:
1 to 2 cups Minced aromatics (any combination of scallions, shallots, or red onion)
½ cup Minced ginger
½ cup Avocado oil (or a similar neutral oil)
1 tsp Light vinegar (sherry, apple cider, or white wine)
1 tsp Tamari or soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
How to make:
Mix everything together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
One Last Thought
Have fun with all the ways you can use scraps in your kitchen! Along with spicing up your kitchen routine with super nutritious meals, you’ll also make your dollars and pennies go much further each time you visit the farmer’s market or grocery store. On top of that, learning to eat with zero waste will help you and your family create sustainable habits that take a bite out of climate change. Bon Appétit!
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