Waste Not From Root to Stalk
This list shows commonly eaten vegetables in addition to their less-frequently eaten parts. Try incorporating secondary edible plant parts as well so they don’t end up in the trash.
|
Vegetable |
Common Edible Parts |
Other Edible Parts |
|
Beans, snap |
pod with seeds |
leaves |
|
Beans, lima |
seeds |
pods, leaves |
|
Beets |
root |
leaves |
|
Broccoli |
flower |
leaves, flower stem |
|
Carrot |
root |
leaves |
|
Cauliflower |
immature flower |
flower stem, leaves |
|
Celery |
leaf stems |
leaves, seeds |
|
Corn, sweet |
seeds |
young ears, unfurled tassel, young leaves |
|
Cucumber |
fruit with seeds |
stem tips and young leaves |
|
Eggplant |
fruit with seeds |
leaves edible but not flavorful |
|
Kohlrabi |
swollen stem |
leaves |
|
Okra |
pods with seeds |
leaves |
|
Onions |
root |
young leaves |
|
Parsley |
tops |
roots |
|
Peas, English |
seeds |
pods, leaves |
|
Peas, Southern |
seeds, pods |
young leaves |
|
Pepper |
pods |
leaves after cooking, immature seeds |
|
Potatoes, Sweet |
roots |
leaves and stem shoots |
|
Radish |
roots |
leaves |
|
Squash |
fruit with seeds |
seeds, flowers, young leaves |
|
Watermelon |
fruit -- interior pulp and seeds |
rind of fruit |
Root Vegetable Cooking Ideas
Beets, Radishes and Turnip Greens:
· Sauté like you would chard or kale
· If greens are young and tender, may be consumed raw in salads
· Cook greens and bulbs separately
· Use in soups, pesto or chimichurri, egg dishes, raw in green smoothies
Carrot Tops:
· Discard lower, thick stems and remove any discolored leaves
· Finely chop and use in place of parsley
· Use in soups, pesto, chimichurri, or tabbouleh, salads, or sauté with kale or chard
Bulb & Stem Vegetable Cooking Ideas
Fennel stalks and fronds:
· Salads, stuff in cavity of fish, turkey or chicken, braise with pork roast, or stems can be candied
Celery leaves:
· Soups, salads, pesto, or stir-fry (add to very end of cooking time)
Asparagus ends:
· Creamy asparagus soup, or stock
Leek greens:
· Soups, stir-fry, stuffing/dressing, wrap fish with greens, or dehydrate into chips