Here are Six Ways to Use Up Leftover Vegetables
- Make a veggie-based soup or stew
- Use them as a topping on salad or pizza
- Blanch or steam the veggies before using them in a recipe
- Shred or chop them up to add to pasta or noodles
- Mix them into scrambles
- Freeze them to use later
In India, More than 50% of the total produce is wasted at the farm level. In comparison, more than 50% of food is wasted post-harvest, and 30-40% of food goes unsold even in the retail market, it is estimated that overall wastage in India could be as high as 50-60%. Food wastage is a serious issue in India. The urban middle class is not without its share of the blame for the wastage.
Agricultural losses and food waste represent a significant global environmental burden. Estimates of global food wastage and loss vary widely, ranging between 30 and 50 per cent of total production or between 1.2 and 2 billion tons per year. These estimates are derived from data on food production and food consumption in different regions of the world.
As responsible citizens, we should do our best to avoid food waste. It's a practice that requires discipline, and we have to be mindful of ways to reduce food waste. Here are some easy steps you can take to use leftover veggies and give your recipes a new look while also avoiding food waste:
1. Make a veggie-based soup or stew
(Suits for pumpkin, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms, palak/spinach, kale, cabbage, cauliflower)
Start by sautéing onions, carrots, and garlic for a few minutes. Then add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute longer. Add these ingredients to the slow cooker, leftover vegetables, beans, tomatoes, and potatoes with salt and pepper. Cook until the veggies are tender, and garnish with your favourites.
2. Use them as a topping on salad or pizza
(Suits for palak/spinach, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, capsicum/bell peppers, onions, brinjal/eggplant, zucchini)
Making a salad with leftover veggies can be a great way to use up what you have and create a healthy, delicious meal. Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect salad: - Choose a variety of veggies that you enjoy. - Chop the veggies into bite-sized pieces. - Add a flavorful dressing or sauce. - Top with your favourite toppings.
3. Blanch or steam the veggies before using them in a recipe
(Suits for carrot, okra, knolkhol, radish, beetroot, tomato, and coriander)
Blanching or steaming vegetables before using them in a recipe is a great way to use leftover vegetables. This cooking method can help to preserve the nutrients in the vegetables, and it can also make them more flavorful.
4. Shred or chop them up to add to pasta or noodles
(Suits for zucchini, onions, palak/spinach, kale, mushrooms, tomatoes, capsicum/bell peppers, broccoli, cucumber, radishes, cauliflower)
Shred or chop leftover veggies and add to a pasta or noodle dish. This is a great way to use them effectively and enjoy a satisfying meal! Leftovers aren't just for sandwiches and wraps. Leftover veggies are a great way to boost any dish's nutrients. It's a tasty, nutrient-packed meal that everyone can enjoy!
5. Mix them into scrambles
(Suits for tomatoes, onions, zucchini, spinach, kale, mushrooms, beans, cabbage, broccoli, and avocado)
Leftover veggies can be a pain to store, especially if you don't have refrigerator space for them. The best way to use them is to make a delicious scramble. Mix your leftover veggies into scrambles (vegan), and you'll have a hearty breakfast or dinner that's perfect for a night in.
6. Freeze them to use later
When you finish your meal, you can throw out the remaining vegetables or do something creative with them. However, when you freeze the vegetables, you can use them later in a soup, stew or stir fry! It may not seem like much, but that extra step can benefit you!
We hope you enjoyed our post on how to use up leftover veggies. We know it can be not easy sometimes to use up all of your veggies, but we hope this blog post helped you find new ways to do so.
Did we miss any tips? Do you have anything to add?
If you have any other great ideas for ways to use up leftover vegetables, please share them with us, happy to hear from you.
Be Blessed
Nalini Murthy