Produce 101: Selecting & Storage Tips
After a long winter, welcoming summer and the accompanying abundant produce selection can be truly thrilling. I was walking the aisles of my grocery store, excited to add cherries and nectarines to my cart (two of my summer time favorites). So I thought you’d appreciate a couple of resources for the selecting and storing of produce.
Sean Murphy developed the Harvest App for the I-phone. For $2.99 you have a guide to the proper selecting and storing of over 125 fruits and vegetables. Curious if your peach is ripe or whether you should wash blueberries before storing them? Just check out the app!
In the June 2009 issue of Cooking Light, they provided a simple guide to storing your produce. Here’s a quick re-cap.
Refrigerator: keep these items in perforated plastic bags in the produce drawers
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Berries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Corn, Cucumbers, Figs, Grapes, Green Onions, Leafy Greens, Leeks, Peas, Radishes, Summer Squashes
Countertop: choose a spot away from direct sunlight and a container that allows for air circulations (like a vented bowl or perforated bag)
* Refrigerate after opening
** Refrigerate after 7 days
Apples**, Apricots, Avocados*, Bananas, Citrus fruits, Eggplant, Kiwi*, Mangoes, Nectarines*, Papayas, Peaches*, Pears*, Peppers, Pineapple, Plums*, Pomegranates, Pumpkins, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter Squashes
Pantry: store items away from light in a well-ventilated pantry or cupboard
Garlic, Onions, Potatoes
According to the USDA, 63% of fruits & 57% of vegetables are cheapest when purchased fresh.
For other budget saving tips, check out this article.