Vegetables
Artichokes ‐
place in an airtight container sealed, with light moisture.
Asparagus ‐
place them loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature.
(Will keep for a week outside the fridge).
Avocados ‐
place in a paper bag at room temp. To speed up their ripening‐ place an apple
in the bag with them.
Basil ‐ is
difficult to store well. Basil does not like the cold, or to be wet for that
matter. Try an airtight container/jar loosely packed with a small damp piece of
paper inside‐left out on a cool counter.
Beetroot ‐
Cut the tops off to keep beetroot firm, (be sure to keep the greens!) by
leaving any top on root vegetables draws moisture from the root, making them
loose flavor and firmness. Beets should be washed and kept in and open
container with a wet towel on top.
Beet greens
‐ place in an airtight container with a little moisture.
Broccoli ‐
place in an open container in the fridge or wrap in a damp towel before placing
in the fridge.
Brussels
Sprouts‐ If bought on the stalk leave them on that stalk. Put the stalk in the
fridge or leave it on a cold place. If they're bought loose store them in an
open container with a damp towel on top.
Cabbage ‐
left out on a cool counter is fine up to a week, in the crisper otherwise. Peel
off outer leaves if they start to wilt. Cabbage might begin to loose its
moisture after a week , so, best used as soon as possible.
Carrots ‐
cut the tops off to keep them fresh longer. Place them in closed container with
plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp towel or dunk them in cold water
every couple of days if they're stored that long.
Cauliflower
‐ will last a while in a closed container in the fridge, but they say
cauliflower has the best flavor the day it's bought.
Celery ‐
does best when simply places in a cup or bowl of shallow water on the counter.
Corn ‐ leave
unhusked in an open container if you must, but corn really is best eaten sooner
then later for maximum flavor.
Cucumber ‐
wrapped in a moist towel in the fridge. If you're planning on eating them
within a day or two after buying them they should be fine left out in a cool
room.
Eggplant ‐
does fine left out in a cool room. Don't wash it, eggplant doesn't like any
extra moisture around its leaves. For longer storage‐ place loose, in the
crisper.
Fennel ‐ if
used within a couple days after it's bought fennel can be left out on the
counter, upright in a cup or bowl of water (like celery). If wanting to keep
longer than a few days place in the fridge in a closed container with a little
water.
Garlic ‐
store in a cool, dark, place.
Green garlic
‐an airtight container in the fridge or left out for a day or two is fine, best
before dried out.
Greens‐
remove any bands, twist ties, etc. most greens must be kept in an air‐tight
container with a damp cloth‐ to keep them from drying out. Kale, collards, and
chard even do well in a cup of water on the counter or fridge.
Green beans
‐ they like humidity, but not wetness. A damp cloth draped over an open or
loosely closed container.
Herbs - a
closed container in the fridge to kept up to a week. Any longer might encourage
mold.
Lettuce ‐
keep damp in an airtight container in the fridge.
Leeks ‐leave
in an open container in the crisper wrapped in a damp cloth or in a shallow cup
of water on the counter (just so the very bottom of the stem has water).
Onion ‐
store in a cool, dark and dry, place‐ good air circulation is best, so don't
stack them.
Parsnips ‐an
open container in the crisper, or, like a carrot, wrapped in a damp cloth in
the fridge.
Potatoes ‐
(like garlic and onions) store in cool, dark and dry place, such as, a box in a
dark corner of the pantry; a paper bag also works well.
Radishes ‐
remove the greens (store separately) so they don't draw out excess moisture
from the roots and place them in a open container in the fridge with a wet
towel placed on top.
Rhubarb
‐wrap in a damp towel and place in an open container in the refrigerator.
Spinach‐
store loose in an open container in the crisper, cool as soon as possible.
Spinach loves to stay cold.
Spring
onions ‐ Remove any band or tie and place in the crisper.
Sweet
Potatoes ‐ Store in a cool, dark, well‐ventilated place. Never
refrigerate‐‐sweet potatoes don't like the cold.
Tomatoes ‐
Never refrigerate. Depending on ripeness, tomatoes can stay for up to two weeks
on the counter. To hasten ripeness place in a paper bag with an apple.
Turnips‐
remove the greens (store separately) same as radishes and beets, store them in
an open container with a moist cloth.
Zucchin i‐
does fine for a few days if left out on a cool counter, even after cut. Wrap in
a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage.
Fruit
Apples ‐
store on a cool counter or shelf for up to two weeks. For longer storage in a
cardboard box in the fridge.
Citrus ‐
store in a cool place, with good airflow, never in an air‐tight container.
Apricots ‐ on
a cool counter to room temperature or fridge if fully ripe
Cherries‐
store in an airtight container. Don't wash cherries until ready to eat, any
added moisture encourages mold.
Berrie s-
Don't forget, they're fragile. When storing be careful not to stack too many
high, a single layer if possible. A paper bag works well, only wash before you
plan on eating them.
Dates ‐
dryer dates (like Deglet Noor) are fine stored out on the counter in a bowl or
the paper bag they were bought in. Moist dates (like Medjool) need a bit of
refrigeration if they're going to be stored over a week, either in cloth or a
paper bag‐ as long as it's porous to keeping the moisture away from the skin of
the dates.
Figs ‐ Don't
like humidity, so, no closed containers. A paper bag works to absorb excess
moisture, but a plate works best in the fridge up to a week un‐stacked.
Melons ‐
uncut in a cool dry place, out of the sun up to a couple weeks. Cut melons
should be in the fridge, an open container is fine.
Nectarines ‐
(similar to apricots) store in the fridge is okay if ripe, but best taken out a
day or two before you plan on eating them so they soften to room temperature.
Peaches (and
most stone fruit)‐ refrigerate only when fully ripe. More firm fruit will ripen
on the counter.
Pears ‐ will
keep for a few weeks on a cool counter, but fine in a paper bag. To hasten the
ripening put an apple in with them.
Pomegranates
‐ keep up to a month stored on a cool counter.
