We love food (we really do), but at the same time it irks us to see how much of our food goes to waste. Not because we don't eat it, but because we don't use it. For example, we're giant watermelon eaters, and it always bothers me to toss out the rinds. But with some research and experimenting, we found some recipes that help prevent this sort of wastage. A lot of them we have tried. And a lot of them we do love.
Remember, sustainability also applies to the food that we eat. And while you do your part in saving the earth, you might also find something yummy to make. 😉
Pickled Watermelon Rind
We absolutely love this recipe. Not only does it reduce the amount of watermelon rind that we toss out, but it also satiates our love for pickles. Delicious, refreshing, and easy to make. Once you try this recipe, I bet you'll never want to toss our your watermelon rind again!
Candied Grapefruit and Pomelo Peel
Since we're on the topic of peels and rinds, I figured I'd discuss another delightful way to use the fruit peels we tend to throw away. And if you're a sweets-lover, you're going to want to give this one a try.
Braised Pomelo Pith
This is a recipe that I grew up with, and I remember loving it even as a child. It's another way to use the pomelo peel (or pith), and it's tasty as heck! If you have a multi-cooker or an Instant Pot, you'll find this recipe quite easy to make.
Roasted Watermelon Seeds
I know we hardly eat watermelon with seeds anymore, but just in case you do, don't throw out those seeds! In fact, watermelon seeds are simple to roast and delicious to eat. They're a great alternative to roasted pumpkin seeds, and a perfect way to reduce that watermelon wastage.
Pork Stock
If you're a maker of soups, you know just how much flavour some good ole bones will add. This is why whenever you make pork chops, you should also save the bones for pork stock. The same goes for chicken (yes, chicken wings too!) and fish bones too. So, instead of tossing the bones away immediately, try saving them in the freezer and using them later to make some tasty stock.
Carrot Peel Chips (AKA Veggie Skin Chips)
Yup. Your eyes aren't playing a trick on you. You literally can turn your carrot peels into something delicious. The same goes for your potato peels, radish peels, or whatever other veggie peels that you tend to accumulate. Heck, you can even use this recipe for your fruit peels too if you desire a sweet and savoury snack.