Waste Not Want Not: Crock Pot Veggie Broth from Scraps

So I love recycling. I know it is a little strange, but I love that the little things I do not only help the Earth, but they also make me feel good. Come on, who doesn't want to feel good about themselves? In addition, I try to keep our grocery bill down by using our food efficiently by getting the most out of what we buy. Since I live in an apartment, I cannot yet really make a compost pile, because I have no place to garden and no yard. Booo! Furthermore, I hate throwing away food scraps. I feel like they could be put to better use, which is why I jumped for joy when I figured out veggie broth could be made from vegetable scraps.

When we cut up vegetables, there is almost always some part we throw away: the stem of tomatoes, carrot peelings, large parts of celery stalks and leaves, onion skins and parts, the tops of bell peppers. The list goes on. Yet, all of these parts can be saved, and EASILY, to use later.

All you have to do is save your veggie scraps in a ziploc bag, and then throw it in the freezer! Amazing and easy! Even better, you can make the broth in a crock pot, making this by far one of the simplest things I have ever made. Plus, it made our house smell absolute amazing.

Veggies to Use:

• Peppers
• Onion (even the skins)
• Carrots
• Celery 
• Mushrooms
• Tomatos
• Zuchini 
• Squash
• Herb springs and stems
• Others

Veggies to Avoid:

• Cruciferous Vegetables:
• Broccoli 
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprout

• Dirty Vegetables (no dirt in the broth)
• Spoiled Vegetables

 Veggie Broth from Scraps Recipe

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 5-8 hours

Ziploc Bag full of vegetable scraps
8-10 cups of water
2 tbsp of Tomato Paste
4 cloves of garlic minced
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

1. Fill the crock pot with vegetable scraps just below the rim. 
2. Add 8-10 cups of water (depending on how full your crock pot is).
3. Mince garlic and add to crock pot along with tomato paste and bay leaves.
4. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 7-8.
5. Strain vegetable broth using a colander. Wire mesh ones will work best.
6. Use within a week or put in the freeze in mason jars, plastic containers, or whatever you wish to use.

Now off I go to make homemade tortilla soup and tomato soup! Yum!

Have a great day! Get cooking!