Fix Our Earth: Maximize Your Groceries
BY: STEPHANIE LICCIARDI, GROUP FOR THE EAST END ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATE
FIX OUR EARTH
Group for the East End environmental associate Stephanie Licciardi has adapted some of her sustainable living tips from her blog, Fix Our Earth. Follow to find amazing tips on living a more eco-friendly lifestyle!
Fresh food photo from Love and Lemons Website
During these uncertain times, it is important we limit our trips to the grocery store and maximize the groceries we choose to purchase. Below is a list of ways to inspire you to use everything you buy in the grocery store.
Share your excess food with others. Especially with necessities flying off the shelves, offering a neighbor some extra apples or a box of rice is a kind gesture.
Go grocery shopping with someone and agree to split the cost of your prepackaged produce so both of you can take home more manageable quantities.
Pickling vegetables is easy. It prolongs the life of your produce by weeks! I recently pickled some swiss chard stems using this Love and Lemons recipe.
Cook the vegetable multiple ways so you don't get bored eating it. I recently overbought kale, so I used it in a soup, in a spaghetti squash dish, in this taco recipe, and then sautéed the rest to eat in omelets and as a side dish. On the Love and Lemons website, you can filter recipes by fruit and/or vegetable for inspiration.
Roast, sauté, or otherwise simply cook your produce and then freeze them in individual portions. I got this idea from my friend's nonna when she bought a few pounds of mushrooms on sale. She sautéed all the mushrooms and then froze them for future dishes! You could even freeze your raw produce.
Figure out the best way to store your produce to prolong its lifetime. For example, green onions keep best in a shallow jar of water. Check out this comprehensive list to learn more.
When you find yourself with something extra, simply Google ways to use it. During my most recent trip to the grocery store, I bought radishes and carrots that still had their greens attached. After some research, I found that I can include raw radish greens in smoothies or sauté them as a side dish. Carrot tops can be turned into a pesto!
I hope you find ways to adapt some of these suggestions into your lifestyle. Not only will they help you now, but they will largely reduce your food waste for the rest of your life.