Waste has been on my mind a lot this year.
I’m pretty active in the sustainability scene on campus, and thinking more critically about my waste in and outside of class has led me to one main conclusion.
Nobody’s perfect. No matter how environmentally-friendly you think your lifestyle is, there is always room for improvement, and because of this, you always have to keep challenging yourself to be more green.
This was definitely a revelation for me because I’ve always kept pretty sustainable habits.
Being a lifelong vegetarian, I know I don’t contribute to emissions from factory farming. My family makes an effort to recycle, and I take really short showers. I turn off lights when I leave the room (for the most part!), and I roll the windows down instead of cranking up the A/C when I drive in the summer.
Still, what I’ve had to face is that having some non-wasteful behaviors really doesn’t take me off the hook and mean I can be wasteful in other ways. Recently, I noticed the amount of waste I generate by buying coffee and using disposable cups. So now I carry a reusable glass coffee cup and a water bottle everywhere.
All of this being said, being able to be so aware of my behaviors and having the flexibility to change them is such a privilege. So many people don’t have the time or opportunity to live more sustainably, because let’s be honest, it’s expensive.
In this regard, food wastage has really been on my mind. Because using every part of what I have is not only a reflection of a more environmentally-conscious mindset, but of an awareness of privilege.
How does this relate to this really pretty salad I’m sharing with you today? Basically, I bought a grapefruit.
And I bought the grapefruit for a cake, which you’ll be seeing on the blog soon. But grapefruits are huge, and I had juice and zest left over, and it just seemed like such a waste of a gorgeous fruit.
Hence, this salad, which I snuck grapefruit into in a delicious way.
This salad combines bitter arugula, earthy roasted asparagus, buttery pine nuts, and creamy goat cheese, and it’s all good stuff. But where is the grapefruit? It’s infused in the roasted asparagus and in the vinaigrette, and boy does it make the difference.
Obviously, using an entire grapefruit is just a reflection of a broader thought process I’ve been having this year, but it did yield some totally delicious results, so clearly I’m moving in the right direction. Enjoy!
- 12 oz asparagus
- 2 tbsp grapefruit zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 cups fresh arugula, washed
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
- 3-4 tbsp fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a pan with parchment paper
- Toss the asparagus with olive oil, garlic, zest, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Bake on prepared pan in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Let cool on wire rack.
- Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until golden and fragrant.
- In a large bowl or serving plate, layer arugula, asparagus, toasted pine nuts, and goat cheese.
- Mix all vinaigrette ingredients together in a small bowl and drizzle over salad.
- Note: if you are preparing this dish ahead of time, only dress the salad immediately before serving, or better yet, serve the vinaigrette separately.
Medha – I never thought about using grapefruit in a vinaigrette, but why not?! Citrus in dressing is always a win. I’m also obsessed with grapefruit, so I know that this dish will be a favorite in my house very soon.
Thanks, Erin!
I’m big into using what you have. We can so easily get into the habit of not checking the veggie bin or the pantry before we shop and buy even more. It’s messy and wasteful. Glad you’ve been having this on your mind lately because it got me thinking. And boy, did you find a great way to use that grapefruit!
That’s so true! Glancing through the kitchen before heading to the store is an important step I often forget 🙂
This looks like the perfect Spring side dish!
Thanks!
Waste is definitely one of those things I think about daily. From all the packaging that eeeeverything comes in, to leftover food scraps that don’t get eaten. It really is important to minimize waste as much as possible to do our part in keeping the world healthy and beautiful. I appreciate you writing about it in your post – the more we spread the word, the better! I’m loving this salad, girl! So fresh and flavorful with those pine nuts and that goat cheese. I must try the grapefruit vinaigrette on all the things!
Thanks, Julia!
I never thought of a grapefruit vinaigrette on asparagus before. It sounds really refreshing!
I didn’t realize till this dish, but grapefruit and asparagus were MADE for each other 🙂
you are so right about waste..theres always always something that we can work on. i am loving the idea of grapefruit vinaigrette!!! i would have never thought of combining these two together.
Thank you!
This is something that is on my mind frequently too. I used to dump out glasses of water that had been sitting out for too long (for fear of dust, lol) and then I realized that there are people in other countries who would kill to have access to even such a small amount of clean water. It’s easy for us to forget how good we have it with all of the conveniences we have!
I love that you used the extra grapefruit for this salad. The flavor combos sound amazing!
So true! Thanks 🙂
What a fresh and delicious salad! I also need to be more mindful about waste, especially when it comes to food. It amazing how we tend to waste everything. Love that you brought that idea to the grapefruit and used it for this tasty salad instead of wasting it. Thanks for inspiring me!
Thanks, Rachel 🙂
I also hate to waste, we recycle a lot, but there really is so much more we could do. My son is starting to learn about this at such a young age now so hopefully, we’ll all continue to move in the right direction. Lovely use of ingredients here. I love the idea of using grapefruit in a more creative way.
Thanks so much!
I love that this gorgeous recipe was the result of reuse! I always try to be sustainable, but food waste is so important to focus on. Inspiring and absolutely delicious looking salad 😀
Thank you! 🙂
This salad was the perfect way to make use of the rest of the grapefruit! It’s so green and fresh and spring-y! I don’t like wasting food either and it’s always fun when you can repurpose a leftover into a completely new and different dish!
Thanks, Rachelle 🙂
So true, I feel like no matter how conscious I am of being wasteful, I could still improve! Loooving this salad!! Roasted asparagus is one of my favorite things and I love how you jazzed it up here! Plus that viniagrette sounds amazing!! Cheers, girlie!
Thanks! 🙂
I try so hard to minimize waste too, and it’s hard. If we all do our part, the world will be a better place! I love that you used the rest of that grapefruit for the dressing here — it sounds like a delicious way to top this beautiful salad!
Right?! Totally agree 🙂
This is such a pretty salad, Medha! I love the asparagus and arugula combo. So fresh for spring!
Thanks! 🙂
I don’t like wasting food either. Me and my MIL always ensures that we make something out of leftover item. And doing that is a great fun.
BTW flavorful and refreshing recipe.
Thank you so much!
A grapefruit vinaigrette sounds absolutely delicious with a salad!!
Thanks so much! It is 🙂
Great thoughts, Medha. You’re right that we do waste a lot. I try to be aware of wasting food, and I do my best to avoid it…but it still happens occasionally. I gotta give you credit for using the excess grapefruit in a vinaigrette. That’s an excellent idea, and I bet it tastes amazing! I would have just drank the juice and forgotten to zest the thing. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks, David! It’s the little things, right?
We compost a lot of our food waste to use in our garden. I really hate how much packaging is involved with some things! I love the idea of the grapefruit vinaigrette on this salad. I am obsessed with grapefruit and love when it is in season because then I can eat as much as I want. You can’t go wrong with roasted asparagus!
Roasted asparagus is just the best, huh? Thanks!
I’m with you – with all the cooking I do, food waste is constantly at the front of my mind! I finally started making veggie broth with kitchen scraps (which was so exciting for me to find a way to put them to use!). I hate throwing anything out!
This salad sounds fantastic – that grapefruit dressing especially!!
I have got to try making my own veggie broth! Thanks 🙂
I love cooking asparagus this time of year! That grapefruit vinaigrette sounds like the perfect way to flavor it up. 🙂
Thank you!
Great going Medha! We all must do our bit for the environment! Love the sound of grapefruit vinaigrette!
Thanks so much 🙂
Yum, asparagus is one of my favorite side dishes!
Same!
I so relate – I think about waste a lot, food and otherwise. And making little changes (like using up your giant grapefruit 🙂 ) DO add up. Such a gorgeous salad, Medha. Like spring on a platter!
Thank you so much 🙂
What a great way to use the rest of your grapefruit, Medha! This salad looks so fresh and perfect for Spring!
Thanks, Danielle!
Gorgeous salad, perfect for Spring! Love the dressing!
Thanks! 🙂
I love the combination of grapefruit vinaigrette with the asparagus! Genius! It’s an asparagus kinda week!!!
Thanks 🙂
You are right we all need to be more careful and intentional in our choices. I love that you used the whole grapefruit here. Also, I can’t wait for that cake.
Thanks 🙂
Way to go Medha, we could all do our part to reduce waste and I love that you used the grapefruit in the vinaigrette! Looks like the perfect healthy lunch!
Thanks so much!
This is my kind of salad! I’ll be sharing on FB and also dreaming of it tonight. <3
Thanks for the share 🙂