Imperfectly Delicious Produce
There are some fruits and veggies that don’t get as much love in the supermarkets. You may know them as “ugly produce” or “imperfect produce.” Up to 20% of produce grown in America does not make it off the farm because they are not up to grocery store standards. The size, color, shape, or overall appearance of produce may cause it to get tossed, rather than enjoyed! These fruits and veggies are just as nutritious and loaded with the key vitamins and minerals compared to the “pretty” produce.
Buying, using, and eating imperfect produce helps prevent food waste and creates a more sustainable food system. By throwing away this produce, we are not just wasting food, we also waste the resources used to grow and process the fruits and veggies.
If you think about it, most of the time you’re cooking these fruits and vegetables, right? When you dice, chop, and slice your produce, the perfect, unblemished form disappears. We should consider the quality and taste of our foods rather than what it looks like.
At CulinArt, our chefs are trained to incorporate imperfectly delicious produce into menus and finding creative ways to utilize produce and prevent food waste. Join us in trying some misshapen, flawed, yet still delicious produce!