Don’t throw away your potato peels: 5 smart ways to repurpose them

Every kitchen has potatoes — can you even call it one if it doesn’t? You mash them, fry them, roast them, or boil them, and use them every other day. But what about the peels? You toss them in the bin without a second thought. But what if you could put them to real use? Absolutely zero waste. Before you scrape those ribbons of peel into the bin, here are some smart ways to put them to work.

If you haven’t tried them yet, this is your sign to make potato peel crisps. They are exceptional snacks. You can make them either by frying them in oil or by air-frying. Toss the cleaned potato peels into the oil. Once fried, season them with salt, pepper, and whatever spices you like: smoked paprika, garlic powder, or rosemary. Want to make them healthier? Spread them on a baking tray and roast at 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes. What you have now is a light, crunchy snack that costs you almost nothing.

If you keep a worm bin, you can throw in your potato peels. The worms will happily convert them into vermicompost, which you can use in your garden. This will improve both soil fertility and structure. If you don’t have many worms, cook the peels before adding them. This simple step will prevent the peels from sprouting and will also make them easier for the worms to digest.

Struggling with powdery mildew? Potato peels are your saviour. Potatoes naturally contain solanine, a compound with antifungal properties. You can make a DIY fungicide using your potato scraps. Boil the peels in water to extract the solanine. Let it rest, then use the resulting liquid. You can spray this fungicide on affected plants. The perk? It’s organic and costs you absolutely nothing.

Potato peels are a perfect addition to your compost bin. They are rich in nitrogen and are a valuable green material in any compost pile. You can regularly add your potato scraps. However, be aware of one thing: if your compost pile doesn’t generate enough heat, potato eyes may sprout before they break down.

Potato peels are, in fact, liquid gold. You can use them to grow mushrooms. Mix your potato peels with wood chips and inoculate them with mushroom spawn. The peels will provide additional nutrients to the developing fungi. Once you’ve harvested your crop, the spent wood-chip mixture can go straight into the compost.