This past week my CSA pickup share was as bountiful as it's been all summer. A dozen tomatoes, six or seven ears of corn, crisp greens, a pound of peaches. It's quite a sight to lay it all out on the countertop and plan for the week ahead. But it can also be a little daunting. Wait, how do I store fresh herbs again? What's the best way to handle the tomatoes? Do melons go in the refrigerator or on the countertop? With so much produce at our fingertips this season, it's time for a refresher on the proper way to store various fruits and vegetables. Here are the best ways to store apples, tomatoes, fresh basil, and many, many more varieties of fresh produce.
A FEW GENERAL GUIDELINES
Do Not Store Fruits and Vegetables Together. Fruits that give off high levels of ethylene (the ripening agent) can prematurely ripen and spoil surrounding vegetables. (Think of the "one bad apple" adage.)
For Vegetables: Before storing, remove ties and rubber bands and trim any leafy ends. Leave an inch to keep the vegetable from drying out. Make sure the bag you store the veggies in has some holes punctured to allow for good air flow. Pack vegetables loosely in the refrigerator. The closer they are, the quicker they will rot. Leafy greens can be washed before storing by soaking them in a sink full of water, while soft herbs and mushrooms should not be washed until right before they are used.
For Fruits: Non-cherry stone fruits, avocados, tomatoes, mangoes, melons, apples, and pears will continue to ripen if left sitting out on a countertop, while items like bell peppers, grapes, all citrus, and berries will only deteriorate and should be refrigerated. Bananas in particular ripen very quickly, and will also speed the ripening of any nearby fruits.
The Best Ways to Store Vegetables
• How to store artichokes.
• How to store asparagus.
• How to store brussels sprouts.
• How to store carrots.
• How to store cauliflower.
• How to store sweet corn.
• How to store cucumbers.
• How to store and keep fresh greens and lettuces.
• How to store eggplant.
• How to store mushrooms.
• How to store napa cabbage.
• How to store onions.
• How to store potatoes.
• How to store scallions.
The Best Ways to Store Fruit
• How to store apples.
• How to store Asian pears.
• How to store avocados.
• How to store fresh berries.
• How to store cherries.
• How to store dates.
• How to store figs.
• How to store grapes.
• How to store kiwi.
• How to store lemons.
• How to store persimmons, pomegranates, and quince.
• How to store tomatoes.
The Best Ways to Store Herbs
• How to store cilantro.
• How to store fresh herbs generally.
• How to freeze and preserve herbs.
Do you have any tips or habits for fruit and vegetable storage?
Other Produce Storage Tips
• A Guide to Storing Fruits and Vegetables Without Plastic
• What Produce Survives Best Outside of the Refrigerator?
• How to Keep Veggies Crisp in the Fridge?
• Foods That Should Never Be Stored in the Refrigerator
Other Resources
• How To Store Fruit and Vegetables | Berkeley Farmers' Market [PDF]
• Home Storage Guide for Fruits and Vegetables | CPMA [PDF]
• Produce Storage Guide | Vegetarian Times
(Images: Faith Durand; Emily Ho; Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan)
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This is quite helpful, especially all the links. I've only recently learnt about the apple "issue" and I think it was here. Thanks.
Just awesome! So very helpful--thanks!
I store celery in the refridgerator wrapped in aluminum foil. I am amazed at how well it keeps!
So uesful, thanks!
Thanks for this VERY useful guide. It's bookmarked, and I'm sure I'll be referring to it often.
I recently tried a product called Fenugreen. It is a paper that is infused with a blend of spices and it purported to keep produce fresh up to 2 weeks longer than otherwise possible. I tried it, and it works! A head of leaf lettuce lasted 3 1/2 weeks in the crisper! It makes sense really since spices have been used for thousands of years as a means to prolong the life of food. I was skeptical, but now am a convert. You can buy it in Whole Foods on the East coast, or on-line at http://www.fenugreen.com I highly recommend it!!
These are really great comments, just 2 things to keep in mind: this is AT, so most of this isn't practical for small kitchens, and I live in a really humid climate (NOLA), so many of these suggestions just don't apply for those of us who live in non-temperate climates, or places where bugs and mold are issues. My example is that I have to keep my bread products in the icebox. Many more things have to go in the icebox & have to be used more frequently. I have been trying to experiment w/ what works better where, so if and when I do figure out deviations, I'll let you all know. I'm guessing folks in other climates would also appreciate! Best to all!