Wrap it up: Rolling wraps to reduce food waste

When in doubt, wrap it up to reduce waste.

This week I realized something important that was lacking in our regular meal rotation – easy peasy wrap recipes to use up food waste.

Here’s what happened: yesterday I was standing in front of the refrigerator and realized “we have nothing to eat.” Have you been there?

Fridays are our “use it up” days, since Saturday mornings are grocery shopping days. Usually there are leftovers to eat up, or pantry staples to pull, but this day there were slim pickings.

That meant I had to get creative.

But this is the kind of food dilemma I was made for – I’ve long been able to throw together a meal from the most random of ingredients. Half a lemon, a can of opened chickpeas, and a few stray spinach leaves? Sounds like a salad to me! A forgotten banana, less than a scoop of coconut yogurt, and a sprinkle of turmeric? A delightful afternoon smoothie!

It’s a skill I learned from my childhood of growing up in an “ingredient house,” not a “snack house” (and my home is still seriously lacking in snacks).

So today I’m presenting a food-waste reduction idea to you: rolling up your leftovers in wraps. All that is involved is keeping around a few tortillas or rice paper – or even large leafy greens – to roll up the odds and ends in your refrigerator to make a creative, waste-reducing meal.

Rolling wraps to reduce waste ♻️

When it comes to crafting wraps with minimal waste, think of your otherwise forgotten leftovers as the foundation of your rolled creation. Leftover roasted vegetables from last night's dinner? Transform them into delectable wraps by pairing them with hummus, a sprinkle of crumbled feta or a drizzle of tahini. That half-can of chickpeas sitting in the fridge? Mash them up and add some diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a delightful chickpea salad wrap.

For those times when the odds and ends in your refrigerator seem more like a jigsaw puzzle than ingredients, consider creating a "Clean Out the Fridge" wrap. Open your crisper drawer, and let your imagination run wild. Combine a medley of colorful vegetables, a scoop of cooked quinoa or rice, and a dollop of your favorite sauce. The result? A wholesome wrap that transforms leftover bits into a masterpiece of flavors.

But it's not just the wraps we eat that contribute to a low waste kitchen. Traditional plastic wrap or aluminum foil can easily find alternatives in the form of reusable beeswax wraps or silicone food storage bags. These eco-friendly options not only keep your wraps fresh, but also reduce single-use plastic waste.

So, the next time you're rolling up a wrap, remember it isn't just a meal—it's a canvas for culinary creativity…and a step towards a more sustainable kitchen.

Wrap-tastic recipes

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