The savvy chef: Veggies in a zero waste kitchen

Thanks to the likes of Colin Fassnidge, most of us have heard of the rise of nose-to-tail dining, but how many of us are driven to utilise our veggies from root to stem? More than just an economic issue, kitchen wastage poses a serious sustainability question that many chefs feel is the food industry’s responsibility to address.

Chef Krueger says it’s important for chefs to lead the way in showing the public what’s possible when it comes to getting creative with ingredients.

“We buy a tonne of veg a week for the restaurant and I see how much waste there can be. It’s so important that we come up with solutions to that problem. Like every other kitchen, we begin to address that by using a lot of offcuts for soups, stews and stocks,” Chef Krueger said.

Chef Krueger said keeping an eye on what other chefs are doing, in Australia and overseas, is a great way to get new ideas on how to use produce in interesting ways. As with any experimental cooking, though, innovation comes with a warning.

“Before you start buying or preparing new produce, it’s essential you read up on it, so you’re absolutely sure about what’s safe for diners.”

The seeds of apples, along with the pits of peaches, apricots and cherries all contain cyanide and while you’d have to eat a whole lot of apple cores for serious harm to occur, understanding the chemical makeup of your ingredients is essential to keeping your diners safe.

In general, the entire part of a fruit or vegetable is edible, and the stems, leaves and roots of most vegetables have a similar taste. If you think your diners might balk at visible vegetable “offcuts” appearing on their plates, consider “hiding” them in dishes to add complexity and depth. For instance, the tops of scallions or green onions can be diced and sauteed, then added to mashed potato for a brilliant flavour boost. Carrot tops can be made into a pesto or used for garnishes, while silverbeet stems can be sautéed and served as a side dish or pureed to make a sauce.

Root-to-stem dining is about more than just economics. There’s something truly satisfying about getting the most out of your produce, while invigorating your menu with new flavours and textures.