Transform Your Kitchen with Culinary Upcycling

Ever wonder what to do with those sad-looking veggies in your fridge or that loaf of bread that could double as a doorstop? Say hello to culinary upcycling – your new kitchen superpower. It’s all about turning potential food waste into delicious, creative dishes. 

If you’re unfamiliar with this kitchen secret that both saves money and helps the environment, the concept is simple: think of culinary upcycling as granting your food scraps a second chance at usefulness. Rather than discarding carrot tops or apple peels, you can repurpose them into nutritious and practical creations. A substantial 30-40 percent of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted –  imagine the impact if all plucky home cooks learned to reinvigorate ingredients in the fridge by changing the way we look at food scraps. 

Challenge yourself to make the most of your grocery purchases and get creative in the kitchen with these tips for culinary upcycling in the Ocean State.

Veggie Broth from Scraps

Got a bunch of onion skins, carrot tops, and celery ends? Don’t throw them away – save them! Keep a freezer bag handy and toss in those vegetable scraps until you have enough to make a flavorful broth. Simply boil them in water, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and voilà – homemade vegetable broth that's ideal for soups and stews.

Stale Bread Transformations

Before you declare that stale bread a lost cause, consider its potential. Transform it into breadcrumbs by blitzing it in a food processor. These breadcrumbs can add a crunchy topping to casseroles or be used to coat chicken or fish. Craving something sweet? Turn that bread into a delicious bread pudding or French toast. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.

Fruit Scrap Jam

Got apple peels and cores? Make jam! Simmer those scraps with sugar and water until they thicken into a delicious jam. Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or even use it as a glaze for meats. It’s a sweet way to minimize waste and savor a homemade treat.

Herb-Infused Oils

If your herbs are starting to look a little sad, don’t fret. Infuse them into olive oil for a gourmet touch to your cooking. Simply add the herbs to a bottle of olive oil and let them steep for a few days. Use the infused oil for salad dressings, marinades, or drizzling over dishes for an extra flavor boost.

Potato Peel Crisps

Those potato peels you're about to toss? Transform them into a crispy, delicious snack. Coat them with a bit of olive oil, salt, and your favorite spices, then bake until crispy.

Local Resources that Support Culinary Upcycling

The Ocean State offers a range of resources to assist you on your upcycling journey. Explore the Rhode Island Food Policy Council for tips and tricks on reducing food waste. They are dedicated to promoting sustainable food practices and promote fantastic resources to help you get started.

Head over to Farm Fresh Rhode Island in Providence, where you can not only shop locally grown ingredients but also learn about programs and community initiatives that support local food systems and reduce food waste. 

For those aiming to reduce waste beyond the kitchen, Zero Waste in Rhode Island is a comprehensive directory and map of local zero-waste shops and sustainability resources, with an aim of making a low-waste lifestyle as accessible as possible.