FOOD SUSTAINABILITY
WASTE NOT, FEAST MORE!
Food waste has been a growing problem, not just in South Africa but around the world, causing social, economic, and environmental issues. In addition to supporting small businesses, composting, and reducing waste, the responsibility of cooking and eating wisely falls on us and calls for a more intentional approach.
By Kira van Niekerk
Cooking is an act of nurturing and consideration, not only for ourselves but for others, and not just for the present moment but for future generations. Facing food sustainability and security can be intimidating. Still, there are many creative and enjoyable ways to explore that add a loving and meaningful touch to you and your kitchen.
1. Citrus peels
Typically, the peel of any citrus fruit seems inedible, but there is so much flavour inside that discarding it feels wasteful. The simplest way to use the peel is to dehydrate it and then blend it into a powder. This powder can then be added to sauces, vinaigrettes, and cakes, as well as used to flavour your sugar and salt.
It can add a burst of flavour and colour to any dish. Recently, I baked cookies and drizzled orange icing sugar on top, which I made by mixing icing sugar with orange-zest powder to achieve a warm orange-pastel hue.
Citrus peels are high in pectin, a natural gelling agent that plays a key role in making jams and marmalades. Before discarding your peels, consider making marmalade for yourself or as a gift for friends and family to spread on toast, cakes, or even crackers.
You can get creative by adding various spices, like nutmeg, cinnamon, or cumin. For a sweet treat, try making candied citrus peels or use them as a garnish for cocktails, pancakes, or cakes.
2. Bread
A baker’ s favorite topic to talk about is bread. Bread is fundamentally one of the most essential items in any household because it can be used to prepare a wide range of dishes. A common problem is that once bread becomes stale, many people throw it away, but I’ m here to save the day and tell you to keep your stale bread.
One of my favorite ways to use stale bread is to make breadcrumbs, which I then use as a coating for chicken, mushrooms, or even olives( depending on how fancy you’ re feeling). To enhance the flavour, I like to add finely chopped parsley and lemon zest. Anything fried with this combination looks absolutely stunning.
To elevate your salad from a five to a 10, try adding croutons. Cut your stale bread into cubes or, for a fun touch, into different shapes and sizes.
Drizzle with vegetable oil or olive oil, then sprinkle with aromatics like minced garlic, thyme, oregano, and others. Bake until crispy and golden brown. This enhances flavour and provides the best texture in a salad.
For a sweet treat after your
Sunday meal, try making bread-and-butter pudding. This dessert is easy to prepare and is perfect for using stale bread. You can also easily customise this recipe by adding your own spices and fillings. Simply layer your bread, egg-custard mixture, and seasonal fruits or chocolate, then bake.
There are endless ways to use stale bread, but some honourable mentions include using it in stuffing for roasts and strata, a savoury
82 | Autumn 2026 • essentialflavours. co. za