Food preservation hacks!
I love to get too good to go as often as I can to save money. It’s always a surprise what I’ll get so sometimes it’s a lot of vegetables and a few fruits and other times the other way around. I always go for the fresh fruit and veg vendors since I like to maintain a plant based diet and that way I know I won’t get any animal products.
This time I got a bag full of tomatoes and I knew exactly what to do. I cut and chopped some onions and fried them in olive oil. I washed and cut up the tomatoes and added them to the onions and seasoned them with salt, pepper and basil. I didn’t have to add any water and let it cook down for 30 minutes.
I got some cucumbers as well which I have an intolerance of in their raw state. I had some apple cider vinegar so I sliced the cucumbers and put them altogether in a jar. For the other pickle I sliced them and put them in a jar that had leftover pickle juice from some gherkins. I let them sit for a week and shook them on occasion and now can eat them on veggie patties!
Finally whenever I cook vegetables I save the peels in a ziplock bag in the freezer until I have enough to make stock. I learned this trick when I worked at a farm to table. The best scraps to include are any onion peels, carrots butts and peels, just no potato skins since it won’t add any flavor. I cover the vegetables scraps with water and add salt and bay leaves and let it simmer for at least a half hour. Once it is cooled down I put it in a juice bottle I saved and stored it in the fridge till I can make a nice soup.
@Lemon8 Food #lemon8food #lemon8foodcoupon #foodpreservation #kitchenhacks #foodhacks #toogoodtogo #homade #vegetablebroth #pickles #tomatosauce
Food preservation is not just a trend; it's a sustainable lifestyle that helps reduce waste and save money. One effective method is utilizing food rescue services like 'Too Good To Go', which delivers surplus food from local vendors straight to your kitchen. This approach not only supports local businesses but also provides an opportunity to experiment with a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits. For example, if you find yourself with an excess of tomatoes, consider making a rich tomato sauce or homemade salsa that enhances flavor and can be frozen for later use. Incorporating ingredients like onions and herbs can elevate the taste while ensuring you make the most of every ingredient. Another fun idea is pickling, which can transform leftover cucumbers or other vegetables. With just vinegar, spices, and a bit of patience, you can enjoy unique flavors that are perfect for sandwiches or salads. Additionally, saving vegetable scraps in the freezer can be a game-changer. Over time, these scraps can be used to create a flavorful vegetable broth. This is not only a great way to minimize waste but also infuses your soups and stews with robust flavor without any extra cost. Simply combine your saved scraps with water, seasonings, and a slow simmer for an enriching broth that completes your meal. By implementing these food preservation hacks, you can contribute to a greener planet while enjoying a diverse and nutritious diet. Embrace the challenge of using what you have and discover how rewarding it can be to create meals from rescued ingredients.