The holiday season is around the corner and that means gathering with your friends and family, and eating delicious food!
Big family occasions are typically a real hurdle for me - my parents are over-caterers, and they want to make sure people feel fed and saying “Oh my gourd, I’m stuffed!” That means abundant, glorious food, but also cold sweats as I picture it moulding in their fridge. Luckily, we’ve finessed holiday event catering and are now avid food-savers.
With large feasts comes large responsibility to minimize food waste. This time of year is one of the most wasteful - 200 million pounds of turkey is tossed out annually in the US alone, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
So, here are my top tips so together we can lower our food waste this holiday season.
Prep your fridge and freezer
Leftovers are great! Some dishes taste even better the next day, but yes, they need to be wrapped properly and kept cold to keep them in tip-top condition. In the lead-up to the big event, free up space in your fridge and freezer - it’s about to get really cosy in there. Get rid of space wasters - slicker packs, half-empty ice trays, almost-empty ice cream containers (you might need to eat the last few mouthfuls, sorry).
You might be surprised by what can be frozen and for how long, read more on how to store food here.
Having meals frozen doesn’t just save food – it’s also awesome for lazy days when you don’t feel like cooking, or to bulk out dinners when people drop in unexpectedly.
Don’t forget to label everything!
Send home doggy-bag containers
If you’re absolutely stuffed, it can be inconceivable that you’d ever want to eat again - especially the food you've just eaten. If you’re left with a pile of leftovers, don’t just shove them into the fridge and forget about them until it starts to smell like feet in there. Instead, get out all your old jars and containers, and send guests home with make-their-own doggy bags. Along the same lines, you can take your own containers to help your hosts clear the food.
Get creative in the kitchen!
Despite your careful planning and giving everyone their own container of food to take home, there might still be leftover food that isn’t suitable for freezing. Now’s the time to get creative. Get those Googling fingers working and search “using up <insert food here>” for heaps of recipe ideas. Turn roast veggies into salads and frittatas. Chuck things on pizza, put it in fritters, or fill up sandwiches or wraps for lunch. And in the unlikely event of leftover cake? Well, just add coffee for the breakfast of champions.
Don’t dress salads
Who said you can’t save salads? You can! Just get guests to dress their own portion - that leaves any leftovers untouched by the wilting power of vinegar, and easily stored.
Have a “seconds” party!
You don’t have to tell me twice. How about starting a leftovers-party tradition for after big events? Invite friends to BYO leftovers and share each other’s bounty.
Feed your wormy friends
Sometimes food just has to go in the bin (cry), but it doesn’t have to go to waste! Pop it into your compost or worm farm - remember that things like citrus, garlic and onions aren’t worm-friendly, but will be ok for them after being broken down in a compost heap.
Get ready for a waste-free holiday season
If you’re serious about cutting food waste, it’s time to get ready for the holiday season onslaught of leftovers. Make room in your fridge and freezer, save those containers and jars to send leftovers home with your guests, and take containers to other feasts. Repurpose what you can’t store and share the love (of food) by throwing leftover parties. Make that last one a tradition and you’re on to a good thing.
If all else fails and you just have to throw food away, make sure it gets composted or feeds those hungry worms. Whatever you do about holiday season leftovers, don’t stress - just be ready!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Ethique HQ!
