Storing Fresh Produce — Plastic Free!

Here’s how to extend the life of your produce in and out of the refrigerator, without resorting to plastic.

Arugula

—arugula,
 like 
lettuce,
 should
 not 
stay
 wet!
 Dunk
 in 
cold
 water 
and 
spin 
or 
lay
 flat 
to
 dry. Place 
dry 
arugula 
in 
an
 open 
container,
 wrapped
 with 
a
 dry 
towel 
to
 absorb
 any extra 
moisture.

Asparagus

—Place the upright stalks loosely in a glass or bowl with water at room temperature. Will keep for a week outside the fridge.

Basil

—Difficult to store well. Basil does not like to be cold or wet. The best method here is an airtight container/jar loosely packed with a small damp piece of paper inside, left out on a cool counter.

Beets

—Cut the tops off to keep beets firm, and be sure to keep the greens! Leaving any top on root vegetables draws moisture from the root, making them loose flavor and firmness. Beets should be washed and kept in an open container with a wet towel on top.

Beet greens

—Place in an airtight container with a little moisture from a damp cloth.

Berries

—Don’t forget, they’re fragile. When storing, stack them in a single layer, if possible, in a paper bag. Wash right before you plan on eating them.

Carrots

—Cut the tops off to keep them fresh longer. Place them in closed container with plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp towel or dunk them in cold water every couple of days if they’re stored that long.

Corn

—Leave unhusked in an open container if you must, but corn really is best the day it’s picked.

Cucumber

—
wrapped
 in 
a
 moist
 towel 
in 
the 
fridge. 
If
 you’re 
planning
 on eating
 them
 within
 a
 day 
or 
two 
after 
buying 
them, 
they
 should 
be 
fine 
left 
out
 in 
a 
cool 
room.

Greens

—Remove any bands, twist ties, etc. Most greens must be kept in an airtight container with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. Kale, collard greens, and chard do well in a cup of water on the counter or fridge.

Green 
beans

—they like 
humidity,
 but
 not 
wetness.
 A 
damp
 cloth 
draped
 over
 an 
open
 or 
loosely 
closed
 container.

Melons

—Keep uncut in a cool dry place, out of the sun for up to a couple weeks. Cut melons should be in the fridge; an open container is fine.

Peaches (and most stone fruit)

—Refrigerate only when fully ripe. Firm fruit will ripen on the counter.

Rhubarb

—Wrap in a damp towel and place in an open container in the refrigerator.

Spinach

—store
 loose 
in
 an 
open 
container 
in 
the 
crisper,
 cool
 as
 soon 
as 
possible. 
Spinach loves 
to 
stay
 cold.

Strawberries

—Don’t like to be wet. Do best in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week. Check the bag for moisture every other day.

Sweet peppers

—Only wash them right before you plan on eating them because wetness decreases storage time. Store in a cool room to use in a couple of days, place in the crisper if longer storage is needed.

Summer
 squash

—does 
fine 
for 
a 
few
 days 
if 
left
 out
 on 
a 
cool
 counter, 
even 
after
 cut.

Tomatoes

—Never refrigerate. Depending on ripeness, tomatoes can stay for up to two weeks on the counter. To hasten ripeness, place in a paper bag with an apple.

Zucchini

—Does fine for a few days if left out on a cool counter, even after cut. Wrap in a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage.

 

Article courtesy of NewHope360.com, found here.

The best way to test heavy metals.

Featured product

Hair Mineral Analysis Kit

Healthy Goods

Hair Mineral Analysis Kit

$249.95

Recently viewed