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I have learned from my mom the sustainable cooking principle of looking in your fridge and seeing what you can make. This form of creativity avoids throwing away produce or pantry items.

the simplicity of the recipe ensures that you will reduce your waste but maximize your flavors!

The following recipe is influenced by my mom’s teachings—merging natural flavors with creativity. Plus, the simplicity of the recipe ensures that you will reduce your waste but maximize your flavors! 

(2 servings)

Ingredients: 

• 2 garlic cloves (peeled, cut, and pressed)
• 6 plum tomatoes (peeled and diced to 1-inch cubes) 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Pasta
• Optional: Basil

Steps:

1. Place 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saute pan
2. Press garlic into same pan
3. Turn on stove to medium heat
4. Let garlic simmer for 2 minutes
5. Place the diced tomatoes in pan
6. Stir tomatoes for about 5-10 minutes to form sauce
7. While the sauce is cooking, heat up a pot of water (about 4 quarts). 
8. Put plenty of salt in the water while it is heating up
9. When water is boiling, insert pasta and let cook depending on desired texture (4-6 minutes for al dente)
10. After it has been cooked, drain pasta and reserve one cup of pasta water in case sauce dries
11. I recommend serving pasta onto plates first, then place the finished sauce on each plate
12. Enjoy! 

Maria Duran Gonzalez is currently living in Miami, Florida, and is a first-year prospective Environmental Analysis major. She is passionate about food justice, gardening, and intersectional environmentalism.