Cooking Root to Stem: Less Wasteful, More Delicious

From recycling to composting to making small changes, it’s easy and fun to cut back on the waste we create. Not only that, it’s better for our families, our communities, and our planet. When it comes to waste, food is a big culprit, maybe even bigger than we realize. A great way to limit your own family’s food waste is to get creative in the kitchen. Start by taking a fresh look at vegetables and learn ways to incorporate the parts we might traditionally throw away, such as roots and stems, and turn them into something delicious.

To get started, we’ve developed two brand new recipes that incorporate whole vegetables. You’ll love the way they taste and enjoy the satisfaction of creating meals that reduce waste but increase joy around your table.

Root to Stem Recipes:

Roasted Carrots with Cheddar Frico and Carrot Top Pesto —Most of us are accustomed to trimming and trashing carrot tops, but you’ll be surprised by how fresh and tasty they are blended into a flavorful pesto. Plus, these cheddar frico—thin cheddar crisps—are simply to die for.

Yukon Gold & Beet Cheddar Gratin—Ever wonder what to do with the leaves and stems on your beets? We’ve got you covered. With some help from the World’s Best Cheddar, this potato and beet gratin makes them into a luscious, creamy filling for an amazing week night side dish.

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Two-Day Dinners

Another great strategy for reducing waste and adding some ease to your meal prep is to cook a little extra so you get two meals out of one main ingredient. Our fun and easy Two-Day Dinners set you up for a family-friendly meal the first night, and leave yummy leftovers that become a different dish the second night.

In the mood for some succulent roasted veggies? Start by making our hearty Roasted Vegetables Matzo Lasagna, and then turn the extra roasted vegetables into a comforting pot of soup.

 

Craving pork? Double your delicious by making smothered pork chops the first night, then shredding the leftover chops for these mouthwatering Cheddar Corn Cakes With Pulled Pork the next night.

Not sure what to do with those eggplants from the farmers’ market? Make them your weeknight dinner savior. Cook up an eggplant and chickpea stew, then turn the extra stew into a hearty Eggplant and Cheddar Lasagna, featuring Cabot’s award-winning cheddar cheese.

Putting those leftovers to delicious use will help them avoid becoming trash, de-stress your meal planning, and add some new go-to recipes to your repertoire.

Curious to learn more? Explore even more waste-reducing tips, as well as our full guide to composting, which will help you turn your kitchen scraps into fertilizer gold in no time.