We’ve probably all heard the term zero-waste, but have you ever heard of a zero-waste meal? Winter is approaching and you need a cozy meal, but you also want to be mindful of how much food you’re wasting. Here’s a warm, comforting zero-waste meal that will satisfy your mind and your body.
Appetizer: Balsamic Roasted Vegetables
Gather whatever combination of vegetables you have available and cut into chunks. Sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots are personal winter favorites. SAVE THE SCRAPS! Using the marinade from this Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe, coat your diced vegetables then throw in the oven at 425 F for 25 minutes, mixing halfway through.
Main: Lentil Soup
Remember those vegetable scraps from earlier? Use them to make homemade veggie broth! Saute the vegetable trimmings in a large pot with some oil and spices, add water, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Then try this lentil soup recipe (add your vegetable scraps from this to your veggie broth too)! Pair with a good, crusty loaf of bread, making sure not to throw away the ends.
Dessert: Vegan Bread Pudding
Now you get to use up all your extra bread! This Vegan Bread Pudding recipe will work just as well with fresh bread, if anything, the flavors will soak up faster! Just combine all your ingredients, let sit, then bake at 250 F for about an hour. Close out your zero-waste meal with a delicious, healthy, and plant-based dessert.
Zero-waste is a mindset that can be applied to anything and everything. A zero-waste lifestyle doesn’t have to be limited to things you buy, it can also apply to what you’re consuming! It’s about committing to mindful consumption, environmental responsibility, and purposeful living. So get creative, challenge yourself, and start investing in a more sustainable world.