Here are some ways to use veggie tops, greens and scraps instead of tossing them:
- Make a veggie broth: Instead of throwing away the tops and scraps of vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, save them in a bag in the freezer. When you have enough, use them to make a delicious veggie broth by simmering them in water with a few spices for several hours. This broth can be used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.
- Add them to smoothies: Don’t throw away the tops of beets, carrots, or radishes. They can be added to smoothies for a nutrient boost. Just be sure to wash and chop them finely before adding them to the blender.
- Use them as a garnish: Veggie tops and scraps can add a pop of color and flavor to dishes as a garnish. For example, the frilly leaves of carrots and radishes make a beautiful garnish for salads and sandwiches.
- Make pesto: Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and basil can be used to make a delicious pesto. Just blend them with olive oil, nuts, and cheese for a flavorful condiment that can be used on pasta, sandwiches, and more.
- Make a salad: Instead of veggie tops and greens, use them to make a refreshing salad. Add in some diced vegetables, nuts, and a homemade dressing for a tasty and healthy meal.
This Fennel and Apple Salad with Goat Cheese recipe on the blog that would be perfect for adding veggie tops and greens!
- Add them to soups and stews: Greens and veggie tops can add flavor and nutrition to soups and stews. Just be sure to chop them finely and add them towards the end of the cooking process to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Here are a few recipe ideas on the blog that would be great for adding veggie greens and tops to!
- Add cilantro stems to the salsa verde in these Carne En Su Jugo (Meat In It’s Juices), Homemade Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Chicken Pozole Verde (Pozole Verde de Pollo) and Huevos Ahogados en Salsa Verde (Eggs Drowned in Salsa Verde) recipes!
- This Saag Paneer recipe would be great with minced veggie tops added in while cooking!
- Make pickles: Various veggie scraps, like carrot ribbons, can be pickled for a tangy and crunchy snack. Just mix them with vinegar, water, and a few spices, then let them sit in the refrigerator for a few days before enjoying.
Here’s a recipe on the blog that shows how to make Homemade Pickled Red Onions!
- Use them as a base for a dip: Veggie tops and greens, like carrot tops, radish tops, spinach and kale, can be blended with yogurt, cheese, and a few spices to make a delicious and healthy dip. Serve it with vegetables or crackers for a tasty snack.
Veggie tops and greens can easily be minced and added to the Lemony Yogurt Sauce in this Herb Roasted Potatoes recipe!
- Make a frittata or quiche: Greens and veggie scraps can be added to a frittata or quiche for a flavorful and nutritious meal. Just be sure to chop them finely and sauté them before adding them to the egg mixture.
- Compost them: If you don’t have any other use for veggie tops and scraps, consider composting them. This helps to reduce waste and can provide valuable nutrients for your garden. Just be sure to follow proper composting techniques to avoid attracting pests or creating an unpleasant smell.
By using these 10 methods, you can reduce food waste and get more use out of your veggie tops, greens, and scraps. Whether you use them to make broth, smoothies, pesto, or something else, there are plenty of ways to put these often-discarded parts of vegetables to good use.
