Why do we have a love-hate relationship with the skins of the fruits and vegetables we munch on? Most of us are automatically conditioned to attack our produce with a sharp blade and give our peels the heave-ho when we are (in fact) unwittingly ditching the most nutritious part of the package. Should the crisp exterior of an apple, pepper or cucumber really be that repulsive to us (particularly if it has been spared the glossy coating of food grade vegetable-petroleum-resin-shellac-beeswax)? Why are freshly-scrubbed carrots with no visible traces of soil on them still subject to the same persecution? What have our produce brethren done to us lately, other than try to protect us against multiple types of cancer and a full-scale-invasion of artery-clogging lipids?
Consider the wonders of red grape skins…jam-packed with resveratrol, consuming the entire fruit helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, fight signs of aging, lower cholesterol levels and extend one’s lifespan. Do you ever really want to eat another peeled grape again? Or citrus peels…the flavonoids are notorious for protecting the heart and fighting abnormal cells that traipse throughout the body. How about apple peels? Containing healthy doses of fiber and disease-fighting compounds like triterpenoids, quercetin and polyphenols, whole apples emulate the cancer and heart disease fighting properties of grapes and citrus while also alleviating such conditions as sinus irritations and asthma.
Of course, it’s not such a simple fix. We’d all love to buy organically-raised produce so that we can leap head-first into the blissful world of produce skin-bearing phytochemicals, but many of us are forced to go with conventionally-grown options out of fiscal necessity. Yes, in that case, the peels are laden with chemical and pesticide residues which no one should willingly ingest, but there is an effective solution – make your own powerhouse cleanser. There is no need to dump your hard-earned bucks into commercial preparations like Fit Produce Rinse when you can whip up your own version lickety-split:
- Natural Produce Rinse — Recipe #1: In a spray bottle, mix together ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ cup of water. Spray mixture on produce, scrub with a brush (or rub with your hand) and rinse with fresh water.
- Natural Produce Rinse — Recipe #2: In a spray bottle, mix together 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water. Spray mixture on produce and allow to sit for several minutes. Scrub with a brush (or rub with your hand) and rinse with fresh water.
What can I do with vegetable peels (aside from ditching them in the garbage or composting them)?
- Puree them and add them to homemade soups, crock pot meals, stews, etc.
- Create new life. Potato peels with an ‘eye’ or ‘spud bud’ will morph into full-fledged seedlings with a little soil, water, and t.l.c.
- Dye easter eggs (http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/dye-easter-eggs-the-natural-way.html)
- Make a flavorful stock — there’s a great recipe on www.veganyumyum.com.
- Infuse vinegar – here are 141 recipes to choose from: (http://www.melborponsti.com/inxvgr.html).
- Throw assorted peels in the food processor and add to dog or cat food to increase its nutritional value.
- Chop up and incorporate them into meatloaf, stews, crock pot meals, rice, etc.
- Donate peels to the hungry woodland visitors in your backyard.
- Find out if a local zoo or other wildlife facility in your area would happily use your donations to feed their residents.
What can I do with fruit peels (aside from ditching them in the garbage or composting them)?
1. Torch them in your fireplace – mmmmm, smells good.
2. Throw apple skins into the food processor prior to adding them to oatmeal or baked goods.
3. Make candied citrus peel — check out www.yumsugar.com for a good recipe.
4. Make citrus zest, which can be frozen to use at a later date in baked goods and other recipes — www.wikihow.com has a nice tutorial.
5. Make tangerine beef, an Asian delight (http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1927,148167-228195,00.html).
6. Boost the flavor and nutritional value of your cup of tea by steeping peels along with your bag of choice, or just boil skins along with loose tea directly in a pot.
7. Make infused vodka (http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup/cocktail-inspiration-how-to-infuse-vodka-052064) or homemade limoncello (www.talkoftomatoes.com has a simple recipe).
8. Make citrus marmalade a la http://www.qinsen.com.
9. Make tangerine curd a la http://www.thekitchn.com.
10. Simmer homemade fruit peel potpourri on your stovetop the entire day (using leftover peels, water, and whatever spices inspire you) to infuse your home with a wonderfully sweet scent.
11. Make a homemade citrus peel/vinegar cleaner that you can use throughout your entire household — http://tipnut.com has a nice recipe.
12. Use the inside of a banana skin to remove dust and impart a natural-looking shine to the leaves of your houseplants. Or…try the suggestions on www.ehow.com for banana skin facial care.
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AgriGuiders, please fill in the gaps. Are there any nifty things that YOU DO with your fruit and vegetable peels that are perhaps unconventional, a little left-of-center, but kinda cool? Even if you think that what you do is plain ol’ boring, inquiring minds still wanna know…
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