Homemade Veggie Stock

I am not sure why it was such a revelation that I could save vegetable trimmings for a vegetable stock, but it was! I had seen another friend post about it on Facebook. I then did a bit of looking reading about it, contemplated why I hadn’t done this before. I started saving my veggie trimmings in a plastic bag in the freezer.

The first batch I made I was very surprised how well the flavors turned out. I have always thrown the scraps out thinking for what ever reason, that they could not be put to good use. I am a changed woman.

I saved my onion peels, including the dried outer peel and ends. Carrot ends and tips along with the outer shavings. Saved the celery ends and small growth on the inside that I never use. Also save the peels because I usually de-thread my celery. I saved my garlic outside layers that is like paper.

Other things you can do is save tomato parts, herbs that are going bad, ginger and chives. Make sure they are cleaned and then toss into a plastic bag, throw in the freezer. Once the bag is full, it is time to cook it!

I used a soup stock pot such as this soup stock pot, on our stove, putting all the frozen veggies into the pot, along with a tablespoon of oil, over medium high heat. No water yet. I wanted to cook them down to bring out the roasted flavors. I stirred often and some the veggies started to break down, which I wanted.

Once the vegetables started to look very cooked and mushy I added about 6 or 7 cups of water. I turned the heat down to a medium low heat and let it simmer for an hour or so.

At that point I let the pot of liquid gold cool down on the stove. Once cooled I strained out all the spent vegetables in a wire strainer. I packaged the liquid up and refrigerated. Tossed the vegetable in the garbage, but I but they would be good compost if you do that sort of thing.

I was pleasantly surprised how much flavor discards to produce. I ended up using the entire batch to cook my corned beef the day after. It added so much flavor to the meat! I think the next batch I make I will make a vegetable soup with the velvety goodness, all cheap and on a budget.

I now keep a bag in the freezer at all times. I am a converted to a scrap saver! It kinda makes me feel like I am doing something small, but good in the world of waste.

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