Fidge or Counter?

[Snownoir]

Hallo everyone.

I was wondering the best methods for storing produce. For instance, apples and tomatoes cause the latter to ripen quicker. But is it true its better to keep cucumbers out of the fridge? If you could please help me out on this, I'd appreciate it. What is the most efficient way to store produce and which can be washed before refrigerated or should you wait to wash right before use? Thanks!

~Claire
=]

[Rawkinlocs]

I mainly store my apples and oranges out in my fruit basket stand. Tomatoes I read here that you "should" keep out and I do, but they go bad so darned quick that way so I'm thinking about back in the fridge with those!

Cucumbers, I store in the fridge...never heard anything different on what "should" be done with those, though. When I buy fresh pineapple, I store them out, but laid on their side so the bottoms don't get all moldy. So I guess all in all, whatever spoils the easiest/quickest probably should be refrigerated and things that don't can sit out. I leave canteloupe out until it's seemingly getting kinda ripe and then I'll put in the fridge so it won't get too overripe too fast.

[trinity082482]

I like the fridge. I like the firmness, coldness and the crispness of cold fruit. I dont like my fruit room temperature!! :)

[trinity082482]

Oh and I love your avatar! Nice smile. U look so refreshed!!

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Even though I live in a Northern cold climate-the only thing I keep out is mainly *tropical* fruit-as I have had a problem with MOLD.. :eek:

I keep Bananas, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, apples & persimmons on the counter...plus tomatoes-everthing else in the fridge.

I also seperate my *Citrus *fruits in one bin..Veggies in another because I've read the gases from the fruits can ripen the veggies quicker.

Lana

[juliebove]

I mainly store my apples and oranges out in my fruit basket stand. Tomatoes I read here that you "should" keep out and I do, but they go bad so darned quick that way so I'm thinking about back in the fridge with those!

Cucumbers, I store in the fridge...never heard anything different on what "should" be done with those, though. When I buy fresh pineapple, I store them out, but laid on their side so the bottoms don't get all moldy. So I guess all in all, whatever spoils the easiest/quickest probably should be refrigerated and things that don't can sit out. I leave canteloupe out until it's seemingly getting kinda ripe and then I'll put in the fridge so it won't get too overripe too fast.

Heh! I said the same thing tonight as I was making my salad and had to trim one tomato to get enough to eat and throw the other mushy one out. I got them on Wed. Oddly when I lived in CA, I stored my tomatoes in a basket under my banana "tree" and they kept well for several days. Here they do not. I used to keep them in the fridge until I read not to do that. Actually I haven't noticed a difference in the flavor so I think I'll put mine back in the fridge.

[juliebove]

I keep my onions at room temp. with the exeption of green ones or once I've used partially. If I know in advance I am making a recipe with onions, I might stick them briefly in the fridge or freezer because cold onions seem to give off less "tear gas" than warm ones.

I no longer buy bananas because my daughter is allergic, but when I did buy them they were at room temp. Most of my fruit (as in sweet fruit) is at room temp. but only because I have only one crisper drawer in my fridge and I buy so many veggies that fills it up. I am currently using the ventilated bowl that used to be in my refrigerated fruit keeper. I loved that while it worked. It was a big lidded bowl that you plug in. It kept the fruit (or vegetables) cooler than room temp. but not as cool as the fridge. and at the proper humidity. Bananas would keep for a week in there and other fruit for 2 weeks or more. Alas, it bit the dust and they no longer seem to be making them.