When it comes to cooking, the ingredients and finished dishes tend to get all the attention. But what about the peels, pits and remains of fruits and vegetables that we often forget? Believe it or not, these items can be put to good use in the kitchen! In this blog post, we’ll explore 8 tips for recycling fruit and vegetable peelings rather than throwing them away. Read on to find out how to make your kitchen a zero waste zone, without sacrificing the taste or nutritional value of your meals.
Recycling fruit and vegetable peelings in the kitchen is an easy way to reduce food waste while enjoying nutritious ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste. With a few simple tips, you can maximize your culinary creativity and minimize your environmental impact.
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Make a homemade broth:
Turn your fruit and vegetable peelings into a delicious broth for soups, risottos, stews, etc. Carrot tops, parsley stalks, onion skins, all these clippings can be boiled with herbs and spices to obtain an aromatic broth. Pass the liquid through a sieve once it has finished simmering to remove any solids.
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Rehydrate dried fruits:
If you want to add a little sweetness to your dishes without using refined sugar, dried fruits are a great option! You can rehydrate orange peels, apple cores or pear skins by placing them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes. This allows them to be softened and incorporated into sauces or used as sweet additions to salads.
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Prepare peel chips:
Crisps not your thing? No problem ! Fruit and vegetable peelings are great alternatives when it comes to crunchy snacks. Simply preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), cut the skins into very thin slices, lightly oil them with olive oil and put them in the oven until tender. be golden. Try adding different spices, like garlic powder, for extra flavor!
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Make natural dyes:
Food colorings are not only expensive, but also full of artificial ingredients that are not necessarily good for us. Instead, try using kitchen scraps like onion or beet peels to create vibrant colors that are both natural and safe to eat! Simply boil the peels in water for about 30 minutes before straining the liquid which can then be used as a coloring for cakes, cookies or other baked goods.
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Create compost:
For those who have their own compost bin at home, why not throw your vegetable peelings there? Composting is a great way to reduce food waste while providing valuable nutrients to the soil, which promotes healthy plant growth down the road!
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Infuse oils and vinegars:
Making infused oils and vinegars with leftover fruit or vegetable peels is a great way to add flavor without the extra calories or salt! Try slicing lemon or lime zest before infusing them in white wine vinegar or olive oil over low heat until they reach your desired level of flavor – perfect for salad dressings or pickles!
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Roast the peels as a snack:
Craving something tasty? Take advantage of any leftover root vegetables like carrot tops, parsnip ends, radish greens and turnip skins by tossing them into a hot oven after lightly brushing them with olive oil – a snack perfect at any time of the day!
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Feed your pets:
If you have pets at home, such as cats or dogs, who like to snack on vegetables from time to time, don’t forget to let them enjoy leftover peels! Sweet potato peels are especially popular with furry friends due to their high vitamin A content. Just make sure they are cooked thoroughly beforehand to avoid any risk of choking afterwards!
