In our modern world, ecological awareness has become more of a priority than ever. As we look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, our food choices and cooking habits can play a key role. Did you know that every year, tons of food ends up in the garbage can, generating not only immense waste but also unnecessary pressure on our environment?
If the idea of throwing away peelings, leftovers or even expired food bothers you, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore six creative and delicious recipes that follow the zero waste philosophy.
3 zero-waste recipes using vegetable and fruit peelings
1 – Bouillon with peelings and tops
This recipe uses vegetable peelings and tops to create a delicious, nutrient-rich broth.
To begin, carefully clean the peelings and tops. Then place them in a saucepan with water. Add salt, pepper and herbs to taste.
Simmer for an hour or two, then strain the stock. Your broth with peelings and tops is ready!
2 – Radish hull soup
Don’t throw away radish tops, they can be used to make a delicious zero-waste soup. For this easy recipe, simply rinse the radish tops thoroughly and sauté in a little olive oil with chopped onions and garlic.
Then add vegetable stock and simmer for around 20 minutes. You can also add other vegetables such as potatoes or carrots to vary the flavours.
Finally, blend the soup to a smooth consistency and serve hot.
3 – Spicy jelly with apple peelings and cores
Prepare a delicious spicy jelly using apple peelings and cores!
Simmer the peels and cores with spices like cinnamon and cloves, along with sugar and lemon juice.
Leave to infuse before straining to obtain a jelly with tangy, spicy notes.
You can enjoy this jelly on toast, use it as a glaze for pastries or even add it to savoury dishes for an original, tasty touch.
3 zero-waste recipes using leftovers
1 – Pizza-style baguette with leftovers
Use leftovers to create a delicious pizza-style baguette. Take a fresh bread and cut it in half lengthwise. Spread a homemade tomato sauce on each half.
Then add any leftover meat, vegetables and cheese you have in the fridge. Sprinkle with herbs and spices for extra flavor. Finally, bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden.
Enjoy your baguette pizza-style with leftovers for a quick, tasty meal that helps reduce food waste.
2 – Vegetable and bacon quiche
For a delicious no-waste wholemeal quiche recipe, mix fresh vegetables with tasty lardons. Start by making a homemade shortcrust pastry with flour, butter and a little water.
Then fry the lardons in a pan until golden brown. Add seasonal vegetables such as zucchini or spinach, cut into small pieces beforehand.
Once the vegetables are cooked, place them on the shortcrust pastry, then pour in a mixture of eggs beaten with milk to obtain a creamy texture. Finally, place your quiche in the oven for around 30 minutes, until golden and crisp.
3 – Pasta gratin, carbonara style
For a delicious zero-waste pasta gratin, try the carbonara version! Simply mix leftover cooked pasta with eggs, grated cheese and grilled bacon.
Add a touch of garlic and parsley for extra flavor. Then place in an ovenproof dish and bake au gratin for a few minutes. The result is a creamy, tasty dish ready to enjoy! You can also add vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms for a more complete version.
Feel free to experiment with the ingredients you have on hand to create your own variation of this exquisite gratin.
Our tips for a zero-waste kitchen
Use glass jars for food storage
Glass jars are a great way to store food while reducing waste. They are durable, reusable and odor-resistant, making them an ideal choice for keeping food fresh for longer.
Glass jars are perfect for storing leftovers, homemade sauces, cut-up fruit and vegetables, and even dry foods such as cereals or pulses.
Composting food scraps
Composting food scraps is a great way to reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. By composting, you turn your food waste into a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden or houseplants.
Simply collect fruit and vegetable scraps, ground coffee, eggshells and other organic waste in a composter or compost heap. Mix them regularly to encourage decomposition.
In just a few months, you’ll have rich, fertile compost ready to feed your plants. So don’t hesitate to compost your food scraps to help preserve the environment while enriching your soil.
Buy in bulk to reduce packaging
Instead of buying pre-packaged products, you can bring your own reusable containers and buy only the quantity you need.
This avoids excessive packaging and helps reduce waste. What’s more, by buying in bulk, you can also choose organic and local foods, which is good for your health and the environment.
Use reusable shopping bags
Using reusable bags for shopping is a simple and effective way to reduce our ecological footprint. Instead of using single-use plastic bags, opt for reusable cloth or mesh bags.
Not only does this prevent plastic waste, it also helps preserve the environment by reducing the pollution caused by the production and disposal of plastic bags.
Plan meals to avoid food waste
By planning the dishes you’re going to cook and making a list of the ingredients you’ll need, you can buy only what you need.
This way, you reduce the risk of having leftovers that end up being thrown away. What’s more, by planning your meals, you can optimize the use of the food you already have in your fridge and pantry, preventing it from going stale and going to waste.
Conclusion
Adopting a zero-waste kitchen is more than an eco-responsible approach; it’s a culinary playground. By reusing peelings and leftovers, and choosing sustainable preservation methods, everyone can help reduce waste while enjoying original, tasty dishes. It’s not a constraint, but a creative exploration aligned with an ecological conscience.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
