Eating Root to Stem: Maximize Your Harvest by Using the Whole Vegetable

Aug 6

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I know I’m guilty of having wasted some of my garden harvests simply because I didn't know how to use a new vegetable I grew. Or, I used part of the vegetable, but a lot of it went to waste. Any gardeners out there with me? But, my goal is to move towards eating root to stem.

What it means to eat root to stem

Whether you are grocery shopping for your produce or picking it fresh from your home garden, you can use a veggie from root to stem by utilizing parts of the plant you might have otherwise thrown out or composted. Think carrot tops, broccoli stalks, and kale ribs. If you want to cut down on waste and gain some inspiration for eating root to stem, you can use the tips below!

6 Ways to Eat Root to Steam

Carrot tops: add to homemade stock, carrot top pesto, chimichurri, add to smoothies or juices. Carrot tops can taste bitter, so use them when you need a strong flavor or use sparingly as a garnish.

Radish greens: like carrot tops, you can use these in a pesto, or chop finely and use as a herb in a vinaigrette.

Beet greens: add raw to a salad, sauté in a stir fry, juice, or slice in a raw veggie slaw.

Celery leaves: mince and add to salsa, use as a garnish like parsley, or freeze to add to homemade stock.

Broccoli/Cauliflower stalks: cube them and add to a sauté or stir fry, shred into a veggie slaw, or rice them.

Kale ribs: saute or roast with balsamic vinegar and parmesan, or bake into a garden quiche. Treated right, these end up more tender than you would expect.

Preserving Garden Veggies

Remember, you can freeze tops, stems, and peels for stocks and broths if you don’t plan on using them right away. Home chef beware: not all veggies work in a homemade broth. You’ll want to stay away from the brassica family (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), potato peels, artichokes, and squash.

Just about any part of a veggie can be seasoned and sauteed. Don’t forget: zucchini and squash are perfect additions to sweet breads and desserts, which you can then freeze for later. Next time you pick up some fresh produce, try to think outside the box and come up with new ways to enjoy more of your favorite veggies.

If you are looking for more inspiration, join the Garden to Table Membership.