Zero Waste, we recover the cooking water!!!

Creative Ideas for Reusing Legume Pasta Cooking Water

Pasta cooking water, often considered waste, is actually a valuable and versatile ingredient, especially when it comes to legume pasta. This water contains starch and nutrients that can be useful in the kitchen and for caring for your home and plants. Here are some tips on how to reuse it.

1. Thickener for Sauces and Soups

• Pasta cooking water is rich in starch, making it ideal for thickening soups, sauces, and gravies. For a creamy vegetable soup or a thicker sauce, add a few tablespoons of this water instead of flour or cream. It's especially useful when making a vegan sauce, such as a bechamel sauce made with legumes.

2. Base for Dough and Bread

• Reusing the cooking water from legume pasta for bread, pizza, or focaccia dough enriches the final product with plant-based proteins and minerals. Replace it partially or completely with the traditional water in the recipe for a softer and more flavorful dough.

3. Watering the Plants

• After cooling, the cooking water can be used to water plants and flowers, as the minerals and nutrients released by the legumes can nourish the soil. It's important to ensure the water is free of salt, as it can damage plant roots.

4. Base for Broths and Risottos

• For a richer, more flavorful broth, use legume pasta cooking water instead of regular water. It's perfect for risottos, rice and grain dishes, or other recipes that require liquid. The delicate flavor of legumes pairs well with various vegetables and herbs.

5. Nourishing Hair Pack

• Thanks to its natural minerals and proteins, pasta cooking water can be an excellent hair rinse. After shampooing, use it as a final rinse to make hair softer and shinier.

6. Natural Detergent

• The starchy water in the pasta has mild degreasing properties, making it useful for pre-rinsing dishes and pans with food residue or grease. Soak dishes in this water before washing them normally for cleaner, faster results.

Practical Advice

• Store the cooking water in airtight containers and use it within a couple of days.
• Make sure it is salt-free if you use it to water plants or for beauty treatments.

These sustainable uses transform a “waste” into a resource, reducing waste and optimizing every element of your legume pasta!