Keep Your Fruits & Veggies Fresh

Prep Your Veggie Bin

Even though it may be labeled “crisper drawer,” you may find that veggies stored inside it quickly become limp and moldy. The culprit is moisture. The solution is simple: Draw the moisture away from the vegetables by lining the drawer with newspaper covered with a layer of paper towel.

Line Storage Bags

When you get your celery, romaine lettuce, or radishes home, take them out of the plastic bag they came in. Line a re-sealable bag with paper towel, put in the produce, and then squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing the bags. The produce will last up to two weeks.

Be Freezer-Smart

Your freezer can be a powerful tool for long-term life for most vegetables and some fruits—if you know how to use it. The first problem with freezing produce is that the water inside expands, breaking down the cell walls, so the food is mushy when you defrost it. This usually isn’t a big deal with vegetables that will be cooked, since cooking softens them anyway. But it usually precludes freezing fruits that you want to eat raw.

The other problem with freezing is that fresh fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that will cause them to lose nutrients, flavour, and colour, even when frozen. So before freezing produce, you’ll want to inactivate the enzymes by blanching—giving them a quick dip in boiling water or steam and then an ice-water bath to stop the cooking process.

Freeze Celery for Seasoning

Chop up extra celery; then microwave it at 10-second intervals on a paper towel until it is dried. It will keep in the freezer for up to a year for use in seasoning soups and other dishes.

Revive Your Raisins

Are your raisins all dried out and clumped together? Don’t chuck ’em. The next time you make oatmeal, throw in a handful a few minutes before the cereal is finished cooking. They’ll plump right up. Delicious! To use dried-out raisins in other recipes, just soak them in warm water for a few minutes first.

Freeze Your Bananas

Got more ripe bananas than you can use? Slice ’em up and lay them out on a small cookie sheet. Freeze the slices on the cookie sheet; then toss them into a resealable plastic freezer bag. Keep them frozen until it’s time for your next smoothie or banana bread.