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Zero waste recipes: holiday leftovers

mashed potato cakes

Americans generate $293 million worth of food waste during the Thanksgiving holiday. Food waste that's dumped in our landfills is detrimental to the environment, in addition to being a waste of money. Not to mention, there are 40 million hungry Americans living in a country with an abundant food supply (bibvila.com). When you gather with friends and family this Thanksgiving, bring some tupperware along and keep your leftovers out of the landfill with these tasty recipes!

Turkey stock

Ingredients:

  • Saved cooked turkey carcass
  • Remove most of the meat and break bones into large pieces
  • 2 large onions, quartered
  • 4 celery sticks, chopped
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • Sprig of parsley
  • Sprig of thyme

Directions:

  • Place the turkey, onions, celery and carrots in a large stockpot
  • Add water to cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat
  • Simmer 3-3 ½ hours
  • Add peppercorns, parsley and thyme
  • Strain 
  • Store in fridge for up to one week, freeze up to three months

Leftover sandwich

Ingredients:

  • Bread or leftover rolls
  • Your favorite cheese 
  • Leftover turkey meat
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Stuffing
  • Directions:
  • Combine to make a delicious holiday sandwich! You can also heat the sandwich to make it a melt.

Cranberry sauce parfait

Ingredients:

  • Your favorite yogurt
  • Your favorite granola
  • Honey
  • Leftover cranberry sauce 

Directions:

  • Combine for a delicious breakfast or snack.

Mashed potato cakes

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup green onion (diced)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

Directions:

  • Combine mashed potatoes, parmesan cheese, egg, green onions, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper and mix until smooth
  • Scoop out and form into balls
  • Coat each ball in flour then flatten on a baking pan lined with parchment
  • Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan over medium heat
  • Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, adding an additional 2 tsp of oil to the pan for each batch

Donating surplus unopened food

Did you buy food at the grocery store that you didn't end up using? Don’t throw it away or let it go bad in your pantry. Donate it to someone in need! Places to donate food in Boulder:

Compost the rest!

  • Unedible scraps can go in the compost!
  • Meat, bones and dairy can go in curbside compost; they aren't as good for a backyard compost.
  • More resources in this composting article