Mizuki KawashukudaIn Japan, the first month of the year is called “Shogatsu,” and various events are held to celebrate the New Year from January 1 to 7. One of the traditions during this time is for families to gather together and eat a special dish called “Osechi.”
The history and overview of Osechi cuisine
Osechi has been served at special ceremonies held at the turn of each season for over 1,000 years. It is traditionally packed in stacked boxes, which symbolize the accumulation of happiness. Each ingredient in Osechi also has its own meaning, such as black beans representing the hope for diligent work, herring roe symbolizing the prosperity of offspring, and mashed sweet potatoes with sweetened chestnuts representing the desire for good luck with money due to their golden color.
Osechi usually consists of around 20-30 different dishes, although it can vary depending on the region and family. Because of the time-consuming preparation, many people purchase Osechi at supermarkets or online. However, food waste from Osechi that is left uneaten or goes unsold in large quantities is also a major issue every year. So, how can we reduce food waste and make sure the food is enjoyed until the end?
Purchase through advance reservations
A large amount of waste is often created when demand is mispredicted. To prevent this, many stores have introduced advanced purchasing. If you want to buy Osechi from a popular store, you can secure it by making a reservation, and the earlier you make the reservation, the wider range of choices you have.
Choose Osechi made of discarded food
Lawson, a major convenience store chain in Japan, sells Osechi made of ingredients that do not meet the high standards for sale while making other foods. Although the dish’s appearance may be unique, with pieces of duck meat and mismatched fish, the taste is still of high quality. Prioritizing the purchase of ingredients that would normally be discarded can also be an important action in reducing food waste.
Use leftover Osechi to create new dishes
A common problem during the holiday season is the issue of cooking too much food and not being able to eat it all. Eating the same food for days on end can also be unappealing. In these cases, leftover Osechi can be transformed into other dishes. In fact, a search for “Osechi Remake” on the recipe search site Cookpad reveals that around 700 recipes have been posted.
Eat the food with the shortest expiration date first
Since it is traditional not to cook during the first three days of the New Year, many dishes that can be stored for a long time are included in Osechi. One option is to prioritize eating foods that last less time.
In developed countries, food scarcity is not as common, and the widespread practice of throwing away excess food can make it challenging to increase awareness about the environmental issues caused by food waste, and hunger in developing countries. By celebrating the new year in these ways and making an effort to reduce food waste during the holiday season, let’s make a positive impact, and raise awareness for people around us.
