Tips for Preserve Fresh Veggies & Fruit

[tys1031]

Does anyone have tips to preserve fresh fruits and veggies? I am wasting so much $$ on them spoiling before they can be eaten. :grumpy:

Thanks in advance!

 

[DebbieJ]

my #1 tip would be to know what goes in the fridge and what doesn't. do an online search for produce storage and you'll find lots of tips.

 

[tys1031]

my #1 tip would be to know what goes in the fridge and what doesn't. do an online search for produce storage and you'll find lots of tips.

Thanks Debbie!

 

[esavvymom]

The thing I found works the best- is when you get home from the store- or within a day, wash them and if you've got it, SPIN them dry in our Salad Berry Spinner.

Veggies & some fruit:
Then, with most of the veggies and such, I take either a Ziploc-type bag or Gladware/Rubbermaid type containers. I'll line the containers with a dry paper towel, and then put my produce in them. I do this with my Romaine Lettuce (I'll tear off the core, and then separate the leaves- put them in a container with paper towel on the bottom AND on the top. I also do it with broccoli, cauliflower, grapes. My stuff usually lasts 1-2 weeks! (if we haven't eaten it by then)

Soft berries- don't wash them too much before you plan on using them, but I have been known to wash my berries and spin them- do the paper-towel thing and they'll last several days! For Herbs- I actually like to wash/spin them, clean out any of the questionable pieces, and then wrap them in a damp paper towel and stick in a ziploc bag. They last about a week, or sometimes more if I change the towel every few days and clean out dying leaves.My green onions- I put those in our herb-keeper with a bit of water.Since I've started doing my produce this way, I waste VERY little!! The key also is knowing it's in there, ready to use. When I have to prep it before use, I'm less likely to eat/use it, so it goes to waste.if you don't have the salad spinner...this is the month to get it (KE- 40%!). It will pay for itself very quickly.

 

[tys1031]

Hi Bobbi!

I had planned on getting the Spinner this month. Thanks for confirming the need! I was trying to rationlize the cost! I have read several posts here about how useful it is. I am trying to commit myself to using more fresh and fresh-frozen fruits & veggies but I ahve wasted SO MUCH MONEY on the fresh because it spoils before we can eat it. I also think I was buying too many different kinds of fruit & veggies which added to the waste.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Peppers, Celery, cut Onions, Head Lettuce - Take them out of the plastic wrap/containers/bags etc...and wrap them in foil. They will last MUCH longer that way.DO NOT store tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, whole onion, or garlic in the refrigerator. Store these in a cool dark location. (think about this - they don't have them refrigerated in the store either!)For berries - DO NOT wash until ready to use them. The key is to keep them as DRY As possible. If you have a special humidity setting on your fruit/veggie keeper (I have one for fruits and one for veggies) set it to the lowest humidity setting, and place a paper towel in the bottom of the plastic bag/container. Every day or so, wipe out any condensation from the container.

 

[esavvymom]

I know exactly what you mean Kisha! I was the same way until just about 2 years ago when I really started USING my spinner. I don't throw out nearly as much anymore! Only reason I do throw something out is (1) I forgot why I bought it (what recipe), or (2) - I didn't prep & clean it right after buying it...so I forgot about it or didn't want to bother.It sounds daunting to have to clean the produce after you've spent the time shopping. I'm always exhausted even when I have a plan in the store (list). But if I put everything away, and leave out only the items I need to clean up- I realize it's not that much usually, and most goes so quickly. Especially since our spinner does such a great job getting the excess water off. Good luck!

 

[esavvymom]

Peppers, Celery, cut Onions, Head Lettuce - Take them out of the plastic wrap/containers/bags etc...and wrap them in foil. They will last MUCH longer that way.

DO NOT store tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, whole onion, or garlic in the refrigerator. Store these in a cool dark location. (think about this - they don't have them refrigerated in the store either!)

For berries - DO NOT wash until ready to use them. The key is to keep them as DRY As possible. If you have a special humidity setting on your fruit/veggie keeper (I have one for fruits and one for veggies) set it to the lowest humidity setting, and place a paper towel in the bottom of the plastic bag/container. Every day or so, wipe out any condensation from the container.

You know- I've heard this, but I have always kept mine in the fridge (in a drawer), and they last forever- except tomatoes. The Sweet potatoes eventually go- but they can last several weeks (IF we don't eat them by then- we eat them more than white potatoes). I don't have a cool/dark place in my house really. I've tried pantry- but they go bad faster there than in my fridge. Weird.

 

[tys1031]

Peppers, Celery, cut Onions, Head Lettuce - Take them out of the plastic wrap/containers/bags etc...and wrap them in foil. They will last MUCH longer that way.

DO NOT store tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, whole onion, or garlic in the refrigerator. Store these in a cool dark location. (think about this - they don't have them refrigerated in the store either!)

For berries - DO NOT wash until ready to use them. The key is to keep them as DRY As possible. If you have a special humidity setting on your fruit/veggie keeper (I have one for fruits and one for veggies) set it to the lowest humidity setting, and place a paper towel in the bottom of the plastic bag/container. Every day or so, wipe out any condensation from the container.

Thanks Becky! I Knew not to store potatoes, onions & garlic in the fridge, but didn't know that about tomatoes. I have always kept those in the fridge.
I always wash my berries as soon as I buy them too!

Question, I did read somewhere that you shouldn't put foil in the fridge. Are you storing your peppers, cut onions, lettuce and celery in the fridge?

 

[tys1031]

You know- I've heard this, but I have always kept mine in the fridge (in a drawer), and they last forever- except tomatoes. The Sweet potatoes eventually go- but they can last several weeks (IF we don't eat them by then- we eat them more than white potatoes). I don't have a cool/dark place in my house really. I've tried pantry- but they go bad faster there than in my fridge. Weird.

The starch in both kinds of potatoes will turn to sugar.....that's why they shouldn't be stored in the fridge.

 

[pkd09]

If you use only a portion of a green pepper do not remove the seeds. Cut off what you want and put the remaining pepper in a zip loc bag. Will not turn slimy for a week! The seeds absorb the moisture.

 

[etteluap70PC]

if I am going to use it in cooking like a stirr fry or something I cut and freeze alot of stuff.

Bell peppers
Onions
Celery
chives

If you get a great deal on potatoes, squash or sweet potatoes you can cool those ahead and package into serving size containers.

 

[mom4angela]

Girls!!!!!!!! Hello????Have you NOT used the herb keeper? that puppy wlll keep you italian parsley and cilantro FOREVER!!! AND celery and carrots work great, too1 Come on, lets use our products!!! Carol

 

[raebates]

Another key is to make sure that you're not buying more than you can realistically eat before it goes bad.

 

[Melissa78]

I have used the EGG (E.G.G = Ethylene Gas Guardian) for years now. Originally got them QVC, they since stopped carrying them but they are available directly. I am single but love the produce from Sams Club so I need something that helps it last longer since I can't eat it that fast. I have found them to be very useful. I buy lots of strawberries/blueberries and i put them right in the container with the fruit. I place the EGG in a little Glad bowl (the little ones for like Salad Dressing).

They can be found at: Produce Storage Preservation Supplies Ethylene Gas Control Bags Absorption

I have had the Salad Spinner since July and just took it out of the box last week...I hear it works well but I can't say for sure. I'll be trying it though. (No I did not spend that kind of money to keep it in the box, I won it at NC so it didn't have as much value to me nor do I eat salad so lettuce in my house is unheard of.)