Waste Not, Want More
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO PUT FOOD SCRAPS TO USE.
Banana Peels
Banana peels are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Cut off the ends, then blend them into smoothies or boil them for tea. Use ripe banana peels for palatability. BEAUTY BONUS The peels are loaded with Vitamin E; use them like a face mask to lighten dark spots and moisturize.
Carrot and Beet Pulp
Veggie juices are healthy concoctions but can leave nutritious pulp behind. Don’t let the vitamins and fibers go to waste, upcycle nd them into veggie burgers, falafels, soups, or baked goods. BEAUTY BONUS Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which converts into retinol—one of the purest forms of vitamin A—which tames skin redness and inflammation.
Beet Tops
Beet tops are easily blanched and frozen until you’re ready for them. Use the low-cal, high-potassium tops as a substitute for chard or spinach. You can also bake the greens into healthy chips or substitute the stems for rhubarb when baking. Garlic Peel Garlic and onion peels are protective packaging, so it makes sense that vitamins and antioxidants are concentrated in them. The skins are also packed with flavor; boil them with rice, broths, and soups, then strain out the papery peel.
Cilantro and Parsley Stems
The stems of soft herbs like parsley and cilantro add a flavor (and nutrition!) boost to broths, sauces, juices, salad dressings. Toss them into salads or on top of fish or freeze to use in stock or broths.
Potato Peels
The skins of potatoes have far more nutritional value than what’s inside, so why let your compost be the beneficiary? Cook and scoop out the flesh to mash, then crisp the skins with oil for chips, or boil the skins then blend them with cream for soup. BEAUTY BONUS Starchy peels absorb oil and have anti-inflammatory agents, so use them in your own clean-beauty facial treatments.
Apple Cores and Peels
Most of the probiotic benefits of apples are concentrated in the core, making them perfect for DIY apple cider vinegar. Chop up the fiber and vitaminpacked peels and fold them into batters, toss them into smoothies, or toss them with salads. CLEANING BONUS Boil peels in aluminum cookware and watch stains evaporate.