Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Refrigerator or Counter?

I have been trying to find out what is the best way to store produce from the garden or store to maintain the freshness and flavor.  This is what I have found out I thought it might be helpful.  Produce should not be kept in a sealed plastic bags cut little holes in plastic bags so the produce can breathe.  Hold off washing produce until just before preparation and eating. 
Ripen on counter, then store in the refrigerator:
apricots
avocados
nectarines
peaches
pears
plums

Store only at room temperature:
bananas
basil (in water)
cucumbers
dry onions
eggplant
garlic
grapefruit
lemons
limes
mandarins
muskmelons
oranges
peppers
persimmons
pineapple
plantain
pomegranates
potatoes
sweet potatoes
tomatoes
watermelon
winter squashes


Store in refrigerator:
apples
asparagus
beets
blackberries
blueberries
broccoli
brussels  sprouts
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
celery
cherries
figs
grapes
greens
green beans
green onions
herbs (not basil)
leeks
lettuce
mushrooms
peas
radishes
sprouts
straberries
summer squashes
sweet corn



5 comments:

  1. Great list! Thanks for sharing! Unfortunately for us everything has to go in the fridge as we have a naughty cat that will eat ANY food left on the counter. And I mean ANY food. LOL I also found that if I keep onions in the fridge they are less likely to make me tear up when I cut them.

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  2. I didn't know that about onions. I know what you mean about naughty cat I have a dog that will eat every cherry tomato she can reach right off the plant.

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  3. Room temp only for citrus and melons? I thought those started "going bad" in room temperature as soon as they were ripe and had to be kept in the fridge. Hmm... I should also keep a list like this, because sometimes I just stick things in the fridge out of habit. Or maybe I'll just print off your list. :)

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  4. thyme2garden, I think citrus and melons loose flavor when you put them in the fridge but they keep longer in the fridge I keep them at room temp until I want eat them and then I chill them in the fridge. I usually put my citrus straight in the fridge because they don't last long around here with my husband.

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