Don't Let Those Veggies Go To Waste!

Photo Credit: Flickr/NatalieMaynor

If you are busy most weekdays (okay, all of us) you may go to the grocery store or farmer’s market on the weekend and buy tons of fresh fruits and veggies.  We buy these items with the best of intentions of preparing healthy home-cooked meals throughout the week.  But we often come home from our busy job or weekday activities and have little motivation to cook a meal or think about the items in the fridge that have become less-than-fresh.  Don’t worry, this happens to many of us.

This happens to me too often.  When I come home from work, I have more work to do and there are a few nights per week that I prepare something easy, or worse – call for takeout!  Last night was such a night.  I came home with a load of work to do and my son had already eaten so there was no need to go all out and prepare a full meal.  I thought I may just make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but as I was grabbing for the jelly, I saw all of the veggies that I had bought just sitting there, probably feeling poorly because they knew they were destined for the compost as many of their predecessors had.  Of course I know that veggies don’t have thoughts and I am just projecting.  But I did feel badly that I brought these tasty mushrooms and zucchinis home and hadn’t used them.  And they did look a little sad.

So I changed course and I sautéed them up to top some curly noodles.  No PB&J for me!  I was able to salvage my veggies and make a great meal that prepared enough for me to take leftovers for lunch.  And, it was very easy and quick, probably quicker than calling for and picking up the takeout!  Not only that, but I avoided the waste of valuable resources – food and money.

My point is, we are all busy and we all come home tired.  We think it will be easier to ignore the cooking and go the easy route.  But you will feel better if you eat a healthy meal that you prepare yourself.  And you will feel even better next weekend when you aren’t composting all of the produce that you bought the weekend before!

Have some produce that needs quick action? 

• You can usually salvage many veggies in a sauté or stir fry.  You are cooking them down anyway so their minor wilting will not offend anyone. 
• Boil a large stock pot of water and throw in a combination of vegetables to make your own broth. 
• Quick, get them in the freezer before it’s too late!  I do this with berries all the time, save them for future smoothies. 

Eco Home Consultations provides green living consultation services in the Seattle area, focusing on practical ways to integrate green living into your household.  Learn more at www.ecohomeconsults.com or email questions about this blog or other green living issues to Melissa@ecohomeconsults.com.