Tips on keeping veggies fresh

[Sandra]

1. Start with the freshest veggies possible. Fresh vegetables are not shriveled, and do not have soft spots or bruises.
2. Refrigerate your veggies as soon as possible after purchasing. Produce should be stored in the vegetable crispers bins in your refrigerator. If you are growing your own, try to harvest only what is needed.
3. Try Ziploc Vegetable Bags. As per the manufacturer, each bag contains hundreds of 'freshness vents' that are designed to let excess moisture out, while holding in the right amount of moisture. It is recommended that you store your veggies in these bags unwashed and uncut, but most of the time, bunches of lettuce or kale do not fit into these bags whole. Even if you cut off the ends or prewash the salad, veggies still keep well in these bags. Instead of using these special veggie bags, you can also wrap bunches of produce in paper towels, put them in an open plastic bag, and store in the vegetable crisper. Ziploc Vegetable Bags are available at most larger grocery stores.
4. Pre-washed greens make salad time quick and easy. To keep pre-washed greens fresh, thoroughly dry them, then put them in a plastic bag with a paper towel or in a Ziploc Vegetable Bag, and store in your vegetable crisper.
5. Herbs with roots: Put the herbs in a tall glass, with just enough water to cover the roots. Cover the bunch of herbs loosely with a paper towel, then put a plastic bag over top. Change the water every couple of days.

Additional tips:

• • At the store, shake the water off the greens before bagging them. You’re charged on weight, why pay for water?
  • If the greens are priced “Per Pound” then take the bundles apart and get what you need. Don’t pay for nasty, crumpled, spoiled, stalky greens from the center. If they are priced “per bundle” then you have to, but usually they are per pound just bundled.
  • Its OK to rinse out the greens bags, turn them inside out, and hang them to dry for re-use.

[Sandra]

...more tips....

-Parsley lasts longer than Cilantro.
Cilantro lasts longer if you store it with a paper towel.
(Most stuff lasts longer with a paper towel.)

-Romaine lettuce lasts longer than Red- or Green-Leaf lettuce.
Greens last longer if you remove the rubber bands & twist ties immediately.

-Radish leaves need to be used the first day or they go bad.

-Berries & grapes last longer in the freezer -- and bunnies like 'em cold!

-Papaya tastes better if it is frozen.

-Red grapes can cause permanent stains in the carpet!

[Sandra]

Here is a list of veggies to give in smaller quantities if tolerated well:
-Beet Top
-Broccoli
-Collard Greens
-Dandelion Greens
-Kale
-Spinach

[marmalade]

Also, celery lasts a super long time if you wrap it in tinfoil! I cut it into small pieces though, in case the long strings cause problems.