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As a family that is trying to lower the cost of living finding ways to use food scraps to make more food like when making scrap apple jelly is essential to making our food budget go further. One thing we have taken to is making more soups and stews this winter and to help lower that cost I have been saving our vegetable scraps to make homemade vegetable broth. Making your own vegetable broth is a great way to make use of scraps, save money, and improve the quality of food in your diet. Things like broth can help make simple pantry staples like rice to make them more interesting and flavorful. Why it is good to use scraps to make more fresh food Making your own vegetable broth from scraps isn't just a thrifty kitchen habit; it's a game-changer for your cooking and the environment. Here are several reasons why creating homemade vegetable broth from scraps is an excellent idea: Minimizes Food Waste: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, approximately one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year is wasted. By utilizing vegetable scraps to make broth, you're diverting waste from landfills and reducing your ecological footprint. Cost-Effective: Store-bought vegetable broth can be expensive, especially if you regularly use it in your cooking. Making your own broth from scraps costs next to nothing since you're utilizing parts of vegetables that would typically be discarded. Control Over Ingredients: When you make your own vegetable broth, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can customize the flavors by adding your favorite herbs, spices, and aromatics, and you can ensure that no unwanted additives or preservatives sneak into your broth. Enhances Flavor in Cooking: Homemade vegetable broth adds depth and richness to soups, stews, sauces, and risottos. The flavors extracted from the vegetable scraps are fresher and more vibrant than those found in store-bought broths, resulting in tastier dishes. Nutrient-Rich: Vegetable scraps are packed with nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By simmering them to make broth, you're extracting these valuable nutrients, making your homemade broth not only flavorful but also nutritious. Reduced Sodium Content: Many commercially prepared broths are loaded with sodium as a preservative. When you make your own vegetable broth, you can control the amount of salt you add, making it a healthier option for those watching their sodium intake. What you need to make vegetable broth Assorted vegetable scraps (carrot peels, onion ends, celery tops, mushroom stems, etc.) Water Bay leaves Whole peppercorns Garlic cloves (optional) Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary (optional) Salt to taste How to make vegetable broth from food scraps Collect Your Scraps: As you prepare your meals throughout the week, save vegetable scraps such as carrot peels, onion ends, celery tops, and mushroom stems. Store them in a resealable bag or container in the freezer until you have enough to make broth. Prep Your Scraps: Once you've accumulated a sufficient amount of vegetable scraps, give them a quick rinse to remove any dirt or debris. There's no need to peel or chop them further since they'll be simmered and strained later. Simmering Magic: In a large stock pot, combine your vegetable scraps with enough water to cover them generously. Add a couple of bay leaves, a handful of whole peppercorns, and any optional ingredients like garlic cloves or fresh herbs for extra flavor. Bring the pot to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes to an hour. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld and intensify. Strain and Season: Once your broth has simmered to perfection, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Carefully strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container, discarding the solids. Taste and season the broth with salt to your liking. Remember, you can always add more salt later when using the broth in recipes, so start with a conservative amount. Storage and Enjoyment: Your homemade vegetable broth is now ready to be used in all sorts of culinary creations! Pour it into jars or containers and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer-term storage. Canning this recipe is a great way to stock your pantry. Use it as a base for soups, risottos, sauces, or simply sip it warm for a nourishing and comforting drink. With just a little time and effort, you can transform kitchen scraps into liquid gold that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also helps reduce food waste. Homemade vegetable broth is a versatile staple that adds depth and richness to countless dishes while promoting sustainability in your kitchen. So, the next time you find yourself with a pile of vegetable scraps, don't toss them out—turn them into broth and let every simmering pot be a celebration of resourcefulness and flavor. Cheers to deliciously sustainable cooking!