Last week, I told you about my celery rescue. For week two on the Waste Nothing Challenge, I was back in my produce bins. Why does it seem like the majority of my food waste is hidden in the depths of my refrigerator?
I cut the broccoli florets off the stems to prepare the children’s lunch. Out of habit, I started to toss those bulky stems in the trash but I remembered that my goal was to waste nothing edible. So, I put them in a storage bags and ker-plunked them back in the refrigerator.
A couple of night later, I was making Asian Cole Slaw and remembered the broccoli. In my opinion, the outside of the broccoli stem would be too tough to eat so I peeled the exterior off, leaving the core of the stem. Then, I shredded it, tossing it in the the rest of my slaw. I was doubtful but it was surprisingly good. Bill loved it.
The other questionable item I had was the stems and seeds from several bell peppers I had prepped for the freezer. I shrugged. “Seriously, what could I possibly do with this?” I asked myself, and then I remembered my uncle saying something about boiling vinegar and pouring it over peppers to make pepper sauce which is a must in our house if turnip greens are on the menu.
Without further qualms, I put some vinegar in a pot and set it to boil. Just a note… do not stand directly over a pot of boiling vinegar. Trust me.
When the vinegar came to a boil, I poured it over the stems and covered the bowl, allowing it to cool on the counter. Before bed, I put it in the refrigerator. The next day, I strained the liquid. It smelled like pepper sauce but would it taste like pepper sauce? I doubted it since real pepper sauce is made from hot peppers but IT DID! Next time I make it, I plan to put the peppers into a bottle because the longer you leave it, the better it gets.
I cannot believe I was paying over $2 for a tiny bottle of pepper sauce when it is so easy to make.
What did I throw out?
- Nothing!
Total waste from Week Two: $0
How are you doing on this challenge?
BLOGGERS: Now, it is your turn. Do you have a post related to food waste? Do you have a creative tip for rescuing produce past its prime? Did a glance in your produce bins inspire a new recipe? Link it up! A link back would be an awesome gesture or feel free to use my button.
Linked with love at Food Waste Friday.
I think you did great and you found a new way to make something y’all love! I seem to always find questionable things in the back of the fridge too.
Hope to meet you at 2:1!
Thank you, Nancy! I’m looking forward to meeting you. 🙂
I just found your blog, so forgive me if I’m repeating something that’s already been posted. My way of ‘waste nothing’ is to save all the vegetable trimmings, meat bones, iffy produce, and freeze all in a gallon freezer bag. When the bag is full, I throw the contents in a pot of water with a little salt and some vinegar and simmer for the rest of the day. Then I let everything cool a bit before draining it through a sieve. The liquid is used as soup broth and the solid bits feed my worms. Nothing’s wasted!
Thank you, Linda. I have shared this idea before but it is so buried that I know your comment will be helpful to many. 🙂