Waste not, want not in action

**MamaTreadler** · 09-11-2011, 11:38 PM

I like to make my own veggie broth and can it. Any time I am chopping veggies up for something I keep all the little end pieces, etc that normally would be thrown away. I keep them in a gallon zippy bag in the freezer and when it gets full, it's time to make broth. I add a few herbs and such, usually a leek just cause I like them for broth, and a whole onion - skin on - because that will give your broth that pretty golden color. I put it all in a huge stockpot and let it simmer away most of the day. Once it's done I strain it through a flour sack towel and can the broth. But...I don't throw out all those spent vegetables. I put them through my food processor in batches and then put the resulting veggie puree in small zippy bags - about a cup to a cup and a half each. Then they go into the freezer. I add a bag to things like soups, stews, and casseroles to thicken them up. Works like a charm - and made from something that most people would think of as trash. Food is never trash! :-)