Are You Throwing Out Food? Vegetables and Fruits You Can Eat From Stem to Leaves
There are many reasons to incorporate multiple parts of a plant, like leaves and stems, into a meal. Leaves and stems often have a ton of vitamins and minerals but also contain robust and concentrated flavor. Watermelon, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, and celery are all vegetables and fruits that have multiple edible parts. Learn more about these edible parts below and check out the recipes that use them!
Watermelon
If we had to choose one fruit that captures the joy of summer it would be watermelon! Many people wait all year to be able to enjoy this juicy, sweet, and satisfying fruit. You can make the most of the watermelon season by enjoying the seeds, leaves, and rinds. Don’t worry if you eat the seeds while enjoying watermelon—they are digestible! You can also roast watermelon seeds and sprout them (which boosts their already impressive nutritional profile). Watermelon leaves need to be prepared the correct way. Eating too many watermelon leaves may cause stomach upset, though, so it is best to consume a small and well-cooked amount. Watermelon rinds are also edible and are often eaten pickled or as a jam.
Check out these watermelon recipes:
Sprouted Watermelon Seeds Butter
Broccoli
Most recipes use broccoli florets, but did you know you could eat broccoli stems and leaves, too? Although the stems are hard, they soften when cooked and provide a crunchy texture and sweet flavor to your dish. Broccoli leaves are also edible, but young leaves tend to be the most tender and appealing. They taste similar to spinach!
Check out these broccoli recipes:
Carrots
Carrots are a versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked and can take on different flavors from sweet to savory. The leaves can also be eaten but are often tossed aside. When used in recipes, they add an earthy, but slightly sweet flavor. Many people compare the flavor to parsley.
Check out these carrot recipes:
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a well loved vegetable that dominates fall dishes and for good reason! In addition to the pumpkin itself, pumpkin seeds are highly nutritious and can be seasoned in various ways. Don’t forget about pumpkin leaves, though, as they can also be used in recipes. Many people around the world, including West Africa, India, Korea, and Mexico incorporate these leaves into their food.
Check out these pumpkin recipes:
Celery
Celery has a very distinct flavor that strengthens the flavor of popular dishes like soups, stews, and juices. Celery leaves are often discarded despite how flavorful they are. They can be blended, made into a dip or pesto, and eaten raw.
Check out these celery recipes: