Happy Earth Day Earthlings!!!!! We still have a planet, and there is a lot of work to do. Each of us can help by doing something simple, like cooking and reducing waste. Feel free to share this post with your community. Happy to join you on the journey to getting more fruits, grains and vegetables on your plate.
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I used to be a classroom teacher and an Assistant Principal. If you spend time with me, you will see that I switch between teacher mode and home cook quite often. Which leads me to ask…are you clear about what zero waste means?
Okay…here is the official answer. A zero waste recipe is one that minimizes or completely eliminates food waste during prep, cooking, and even storage. The goal is to use as much of each ingredient as we can. This means using everything from root to stem and peel to seed. We want to make sure nothing goes to waste in the trash or compost.
🍽️ What Makes a Recipe "Zero Waste"?
Here are some common features:
Edible skins or peels are left on (like with Delicata squash, potatoes, apples, etc.)
Seeds, stems, or tops are reused (e.g. roasting pumpkin seeds, sautéing beet greens)
Scraps are repurposed (like turning veggie trimmings into broth)
Leftovers are planned into the recipe (batch cooking, using yesterday’s rice or cooked veggies)
Packaging waste is avoided (using bulk ingredients, shopping local like at a farmer’s market)
🌱 Why It Matters
Zero waste recipes are better for:
The planet – less food in landfills = fewer emissions
Your wallet – you get more out of what you buy
Your creativity – you start to see “scraps” as opportunities
So when you make this Delicata squash recipe, that’s zero waste in action! 🙌
More Zero Waste Recipes From The Black Girls Eat Website
Let’s keep the sustainable love going! Check out these easy Zero Waste Recipes:
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