Waste-Busting Cooking Tips to Save You Money

Let’s face it: We’ve all experienced a crisper drawer filled with wilted greens, shriveled carrots or forgotten fresh herbs at one point. These past-their-prime fruits and vegetables can transform into something hearty and delicious with a little cooking finesse and creativity. Try out these four ways to bring new life to last week’s produce.

1. Roast ‘em. Roasting vegetables brings out their depth of their flavor as their sugars caramelize in high heat. Arrange vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and any other herbs or seasonings you have on hand. Roast at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, and you’re in store for a delicious, healthy side dish.
2. Pickle ‘em. Create a simple pickling solution out of white vinegar, sugar and salt, and let your vegetables soak up that tangy goodness. Think pickling is just for cucumbers? Think again! Try pickling red onions, peppers, cauliflower or even watermelon rinds. Pickles can keep for weeks in your fridge and add a fresh crunch to sandwiches and salads.
3. Blend ‘em. Wilted greens, less-than-perfect fruit and a random yogurt are welcome additions to smoothies. Simply toss the extra ingredients in the blender with your favorite smoothie ingredients for an added boost of nutrition.
4. Freeze ‘em. Your freezer can transform your mushy bananas, berries and even vegetables into worthy additions to any smoothie. Freeze fruits and veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag for storing. Next time you’re in need of a quick breakfast, blend these icy treats with milk and add-ons like peanut butter, protein powder or chia seeds.

Now that you know how to bring new life to your saddest produce, it’s time to find tasty recipes. Check out our recipe page for delicious ideas.