Don’t Toss Those Tops 👀🥕🥬🥦

Stalks, outer leaves, and leafy tops of vegetables are hidden nutritional powerhouses that too often go straight from cutting board to the bin. Since you’re paying by weight, why not use every edible part to get the most out of your food and reduce waste in the process?

Nutritional Benefits of Stalks and Tops

Many vegetable stalks, leaves, and tops are loaded with vitamins,minerals, and fiber. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional value of some common vegetables

• Broccoli Stalks: Often overlooked, broccoli stalks are rich in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and calcium. They’re great for digestion and support immune function. Their slightly milder taste and crisp texture make them perfect for soups, stir-fries, or veggie noodles.

• Carrot Tops – Carrot tops are loaded with vitamin K, potassium, and chlorophyll, which supports detoxification and has antioxidant properties. Their slightly bitter flavor is excellent in pestos, sauces, or as a garnish.

• Cauliflower Leaves – These leaves are a fantastic source of fiber, vitamin C, and iron. They’re hearty and can be roasted, sautéed, or even used as a wrap for fillings.

• Beet Greens – Often discarded, beet greens have as much iron as spinach, are high in calcium, and are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. With a taste similar to Swiss chard, they’re perfect in salads, sautés, and smoothies.

• Celery Leaves and Stalks – Celery leaves, often discarded, are high in vitamin A and calcium. They add a refreshing flavor to salads and soups, while celery stalks contain potassium, which is good for blood pressure.

Leafy vegetable tops, like those of carrots, beets, and radishes, are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Including them in meals boosts immunity, supports digestion, reduces food waste, and offers a flavorful, nutrient-packed addition to your diet.

The nutritional benefits of stalks and tops  like those of carrots, beets, and radishes, are numerous as they are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Including them in meals boosts immunity, supports digestion, reduces food waste, and offers a flavorful, nutrient-packed addition to your diet.