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Healthy Lifestyles that Last Blog

Save money by using the whole plant

 

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

 

Radish Greens Pesto video