Reply #5: Not to mention the flavor differences

[Warpy]

which, plus the cost, is what discouraged me from using dried veg.

Some aren't too bad, like corn and carrots. I have been far less than thrilled with things like celery.

I'd rather toss the pale and limp inner celery ribs every three weeks or so (or not, depending on what I've been eating--mostly not). I buy onions as I need them, so there's no waste there. About the only thing I used dried is garlic and only when I've run out of the real thing or it's dessicated beyond the point of retrieval. I buy mushrooms rarely and only when I'm going to cook them that night because they tend to get forgotten to death otherwise. I do keep a couple of small cans of mushrooms in the pantry for additions to soups and veggie loaves. Mushrooms survive the canning process quite well and the stems and pieces are cheap. Since the cans are tiny, there's no waste there.

One great thing that's come out recently that's really cut the last vestige of waste I had is tomato paste in a tube. Forget sliced bread, not having that quarter can of tomato paste turning black as it dries out in the fridge is wonderful, just cap the tube and wait for the next time.