Given the rising price of groceries, consumers are increasingly looking for ways to stretch their food dollar. To help them do just that, Side Delights of Newport Beach, Calif., suggests upcycling as an economical and sustainable solution.
Upcycling is the process of transforming byproducts, waste materials or unwanted products into new materials and is used for everything from packaging to produce.
Specifically, the potato industry is estimated to generate waste and byproducts equal to approximately 12% to 20% of total production volume, says Side Delights, pointing to a Potato Business report.
While potato peels, pulp and other potato parts can be upcycled into feed for livestock and used in potato farming at the commercial level, consumers at home also can get more bang for their buck by repurposing potato peels, according to a press release.
“Since potato prices are up and overall inflation has increased food prices by double digits, upcycling potato peels makes sense,” Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, the exclusive supplier of Side Delights potatoes, said in the release. “Using the whole potato while enjoying new ways to consume it, reinforces the potato’s value. Saving money while spending time around the table with friends and family is especially important at this time of year and during these economic conditions.”
Side Delights offers the following tips for extending the value of whole potatoes:
- Potato peel chips: Organic potato peels can be seasoned and baked at 375 F until crispy (10-15 minutes) or air-fried or deep-fried until golden. Use them as a crispy snack or a topping for salads or soups.
- Vegetable stock: Potato peels can be frozen and used to make vegetable stock for soups. Boil the peels for 10 minutes to make a rich, earthy-flavored stock or soup base. Compost the remaining peels.
- Potato powder: Potato peels can be cleaned, dried and dehydrated in a low-temperature oven or a dehydrator and ground into potato powder to thicken soups and chili.
- Potato “bread” crumbs: Create a gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs. Blend the potato peels in a blender and use them in a recipe in place of breadcrumbs.
Another way for cost-conscious home cooks to eliminate potato waste is to use the whole potato in Side Delights recipes for Cheesy Potato Skins or Parmesan Smashed Potatoes With Roasted Garlic Aioli.
Side Delights offers a full assortment of potato products, including potato kits, convenience potatoes, petite potatoes, fresh-cut potatoes and organic potatoes.