Storing vegetables is a problem many people struggle with. This is because mostly they do not know how to do it right.
How many of us have always gotten the quantity that lasts just as long as we want it to? That never happens.
While some vegetables and fruit need to be stored in the refrigerator, the other vegetables need to ripen before being placed it. There are different procedures for all the vegetables. The remaining vegetables are best stored at room temperature or in a cool dry place. So if you don’t follow the procedures, you will have a stash of stale vegetables that reeks and money will be wasted. This is your guide on how to store vegetables the right way to keep them fresh.
Start fresh
There are also some ways to go about it if you’re talking about how to select the vegetables. Keeping them fresh doesn’t always have to do with keeping them the right way. There are also some steps that go before.
How to do this?
Getting the freshest fruits and veggies is the first step. Many farmers have shared that leafy greens should be “richly colored” and without “any limp or yellowing leaves”. These signs are usually signals that they’re past their prime. Within a day or two at your place, they will start wilting and become stale. This is also applied on root vegetables. When you are choosing root vegetables, cabbages, squash, and onions, get those that are heavy for their size and without blemishes or soft spots. That means they are at their prime!
Consider the conditions
When it comes to storing vegetables, you also have to consider other things. For example, the big three conditions you must take note of are temperature, ethylene, and airflow. There are a lot of produce that is kept well in the refrigerator. However, other items like potatoes, onions, and garlic stay well in cool temperatures in a cool room.
Ethylene Gas
If you’re here, this is something you need to know about. The ethylene gas is present in some fruits—such as apples and bananas—and they naturally release it. This gas hastens the ripening and decaying process. There are certain produce that are ethylene-sensitive, like cabbage, leafy greens, lettuce, and broccoli. You need to keep these away from those that do produce the gas.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Now we’re talking about how to store specific vegetables. For example, potatoes and sweet potatoes need to be kept a certain way too. For example, don’t refrigerate them. Store them in a cool, dark place with relatively high humidity. Then there also needs to be certain air circulation. You need to keep them separate from onions, bananas, and other ethylene-producing items.
Potato care
This is all-important to consider if you want to keep your vegetables fresh. Whether the potatoes are starchy (russets) or waxy (Yukon Golds), potatoes can stay fresh for months if kept in a cool, dark place. Examples of these places can be an air-conditioned pantry or a cellar. Keep them away from large appliances which generate heat and your potatoes will be good to go.
Onions and Garlic
With onions and garlic, you’re not supposed to refrigerate them. You’re also supposed to store them in a cool, dark place with low humidity to keep them fresh. Basically, also allow some air circulation and then keeps them separate from potatoes and sweet potatoes.
The members of the same family
Common onions and garlic, members of the allium family, are easy to keep fresh if you follow the right procedures. What would these be? For one, keep them away from moisture, which makes them spoil faster. Second, do choose firm, unblemished bulbs with dry skins because they tend to last longer. After that, know that you have to store them in a cool, dry, dark place with air circulation. Many keep the mistake of storing them in a plastic bag, that is a recipe for disaster.
Storing leafy greens to keep them fresh
Leafy greens are a whole other world. These vegetables stay fresh longer if they are rinsed, wrapped in a paper towel or tea towel, and then refrigerated in a container or sealed plastic bag. There is a misconception that they spoil when you wash them. That’s a lie, don’t believe it! You can apply this technique to lettuce greens, bok choy, Swiss chard, kale and spinach.
Time-saving Tip
Here’s a time-saving tip. Always wash and store the leafy greens as soon as you bring them home. This makes it easier to eat them later. You can even buy prewashed greens and rinse them once more once you get home.
Freeze your vegetables
Freezing vegetables is underrated. If you can’t eat them right away, freeze them! Most vegetables need to be blanched before they are frozen. Simply boil the whole or cut up pieces of the vegetable and put in boiling water for for 1-2 minutes. After that, immediately place in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process.
Order Your Vegetables From Winbid
If you’re worried about which vegetables to buy and where you can get the best ones? Look no further than Winbid. Winbid has a fresh vegetable basket available for you which comes with 3KG worth of fresh vegetables. Simply get them at home and then store them the way we just shared to keep them fresh.
If you’re looking to buy vegetables besides that too, you can buy vegetables in Bahrain according to what you need. For example, get green chilli, kareila, lady finger in 1KG quantities and store them, freeze them or blanche them according to your needs. You don’t have to worry about going out and scouring the best vegetables now, they can come to your home. Once they arrive with Winbid’s home delivery, just follow the processes to enjoy the taste of premium vegetables. Farm fresh from us to you, Winbid only cares about your health always.
