She Strengthens

Rescue Your Wilted Veggies: 21 Creative Recipes to Reduce Food Waste

Are you guilty of buying too many veggies at the farmer’s market, only to let them wilt away in your fridge? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! But instead of tossing them, why not get creative and turn them into delicious meals?

Leafy Greens

These vibrant veggies are packed with nutrients, but they can quickly lose their appeal when they start to wilt. Here are some innovative ways to use them up:

• Bok Choy and Mushroom Soba Noodle Bowl: Combine crunchy bok choy with earthy mushrooms and miso for a flavorful bowl.
• Swiss Chard and Golden Beet Frittata: This colorful frittata is the perfect way to use up chard and beets. Make it for dinner and enjoy the leftovers for lunch.
• Garlicky Greens Soup: Blend together wimpy leaves of kale, cabbage, and mustard greens with sweet potato and lentils for a hearty soup.

Squash

From zucchini to butternut squash, these versatile veggies can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Spiralized Squash Stir-Fry: Turn zucchini and yellow squash into twirly noodles and sauté with cabbage and a nutty dressing.
• Mashed Butternut Squash With Goat Cheese and Rosemary: Use up any ol’ squash to make a creamy mash with goat cheese and rosemary.
• Zucchini, Oat, and Greek Yogurt Muffins: Hide limp zucchini in a cinnamon and honey-flavored batter for a delicious breakfast treat.

Cauliflower

This humble veggie is a chameleon in the kitchen. Here are some creative ways to use it up:

• Cauliflower Fried Rice: Shred cauliflower and sauté with carrots, green onions, and egg for a filling alternative to takeout.
• Cauliflower Crust Flatbread: Use cauliflower to make a springy pizza crust, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• Cauliflower and Kale Soup: Pre-roast cauliflower and blend with kale, onion, and vegetable stock for a creamy soup.

Root Vegetables

From beets to carrots, these veggies are perfect for roasting and blending into sauces. Here are some ideas:

• Whole-Wheat Pasta With Roasted Beet Sauce: Blend roasted beets with lemon juice, dill, and heavy cream for a velvety sauce.
• No-Bake Carrot Cake: Pulse carrots with dates, raisins, coconut, and spices to make a simple carrot cake.

Potatoes

These starchy veggies are perfect for baking and frying. Here are some ideas:

• Baked Curly Fries: Spiralize potatoes and bake until crispy for a healthier alternative to diner fries.
• Samosa Potato Cakes: Blend curry powder and cardamom with smashed potatoes and peas to make Indian-spiced patties.

All the Veg

Finally, here are some recipes that use a variety of veggies:

• Thai Green Curry With Spring Vegetables: Blend together coconut milk, curry paste, and any spring veggies you like for a creamy and comforting bowl.
• Roasted Vegetable and Brown Rice Buddha Bowl: Pile roasted veggies onto a baking sheet and serve with greens, cabbage, and a thick pour of your favorite dressing.
• One-Pot Ratatouille Spaghetti: Sauté zucchini, eggplant, and peppers with crushed tomatoes and balsamic vinegar for a flavorful pasta dish.