A sweeter winter

Photo: Love Hate Food Waste

Seasonal produce can help save money and make food fit to share, write the folks at Love Food Hate Waste.

As winter settles in, many Kiwi households start feeling the squeeze of rising grocery and power bills. But winter can also be a season of slowing down, gathering together and making the most of simple, nourishing meals. Around Matariki, there’s an opportunity to reflect on what we already have, share kai with loved ones and find clever ways to stretch food further while reducing waste.

One of the easiest ways to keep food costs down during winter is buying seasonal produce. Fruit and vegetables that are in season are usually more affordable because they are plentiful and locally available. Winter vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, cabbage, silverbeet and leeks are often cheaper at this time of year and work across a wide range of meals.

Planning meals around what’s in season can also make a noticeable difference at the checkout. Soups, stews, curries or roasted tray bakes are especially comforting in winter. Seasonal fruit such as mandarins, oranges and apples can also make affordable snacks or comforting desserts — think crumbles, cakes, muffins and baked apples.

When fresh produce is expensive or out of season, frozen and canned vegetables are great alternatives. Frozen corn, peas and mixed vegetables are often just as nutritious as fresh and help reduce waste because you can use only what you need. Canned tomatoes are another budget-friendly staple that work well in stews, pasta sauces and casseroles throughout winter.

Making the most of your kitchen appliances can help keep winter power bills under control. Simple habits, such as boiling water in the jug before adding it to a pot, using lids to reduce cooking time and cooking multiple dishes at once when the oven is on, can all add up to meaningful savings. Winter is also the perfect time to make use of energy-efficient appliances such as slow cookers, pressure cookers and air fryers. Slow cookers are great for turning affordable ingredients into hearty meals, while pressure cookers and air fryers use less energy and help get meals on the table faster.

Batch cooking is another simple way to save both time and money during winter. Cooking larger portions means fewer nights cooking from scratch and more meals ready to heat from the freezer for future lunches or busy and low motivation nights when takeaway temptation strikes. Big pots of soup, chilli mix, pasta sauce, curry or boil up are all excellent batch cooking options. Around Matariki, preparing and sharing large meals with whānau can also be a meaningful way to connect with loved ones.

Canned pantry staples such as tuna, chickpeas, lentils and beans are also affordable sources of protein that help stretch meals further. Adding lentils to mince dishes, soups or curries boosts fibre and volume while reducing the amount of meat needed. Chickpeas can bulk out salads, stews or rice dishes, while canned tuna makes an easy topping or filling for rice bowls, baked potatoes, pasta, sushi or fritters.

This winter, simple choices such as using seasonal produce, cooking efficiently and making the most of pantry staples can help households save money while reducing food waste. And in the spirit of Matariki, it’s also a reminder that good food doesn’t need to be expensive to brting warmth, comfort and connection to the table.