We’ve all done it before. We open the refrigerator to discover that we’ve allowed foods to expire. Food waste equals money waste. And this feels even more painful when those foods are healthy items like produce. Taking a few easy and minor precautions can help you save both your food and your pennies, too. Read how to keep fruits and veggies fresh for longer.
Learn About Ethylene
Especially when it comes to fruit, ethylene is the magic word or in this case, the magic gas. You need to find out what fruits and veggies that you eat release this gas as they ripen. Then, store that produce separately. Apples and avocados are two of the biggest perps when it comes to ethylene. You’ll want to store them away from other produce. You can use the powers of ethylene to your advantage though. If you want to make guacamole and your avocados aren’t quit yet ripe, put them in a brown paper bag along with a tomato, banana, or apple and the ethylene with quickly bring the avocado to a softer state.
Don’t Refrigerate Everything
Not every piece of produce you bring home should go directly into your fridge. Some items can be stored on the countertop – bananas (they last longer if you put them on a banana tree) or avocados, for example. Other items should be stored in a dark, cool place like in a pantry, cellar, or simple in a lower cabinet – like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions. These items actually last longer when they are not refrigerated. The American Heart Association has a great guide to storing fruits and veggies. Some of the non-refrigerator items on the list surprised me. I had no idea I shouldn’t store my tomatoes in the fridge!
Handle Berries with Care
Most agree that you shouldn’t wash your fruit until you’re ready to consume it. This rule of thumb rings especially true for produce that has a thin skin. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are all incredibly delicate. You want to wait to wash them until right before eating them and even then handle with great care, using cold water in a slow stream or light spray. If you want to wash the fruit in advance, though, you can wash them in a 1 part vinegar, 3 parts water bath. Mix the water and vinegar together and gently wash the fruit. Then clean out their original containers with a dish soap and water. Line an air tight container with paper towel and gently add the fruit. This will kill any bacteria on the fruit that would cause it to ripen more rapidly.
Ice Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are one of my favorite luxuries, but typically I can’t use an entire package before they go bad. A quick and easy way to make fresh herbs last longer is to freeze them either in a bit of olive oil or cooking wine in an ice cube tray. Then, when you’re ready to cook, pop out an individual cube and add it to your dish or skillet. For cilantro, you can even try freezing it chopped in a bit of lime juice.
Last Minute Freeze
Know those bananas are just about to be too ripe to eat? See the expiration date on the spinach or kale and think, I can’t eat all of that in a day! Freeze them in individual bags for smoothies. Peel (if necessary) and chop so they blend more easily. There’s no need to panic or pitch them, instead plan ahead for a healthy snack.
Do you have a tip to make fruits and veggies last longer? I’d love to hear it in the comments. Help me manage our groceries better.
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