Where to store fruits and veggies

[Tracie]

OK...this is going to seem like a really dumb question, but I cant find any info on it. Does anyone know the rules around where to store your fruits and veggies. Do they do best in the fridge or the pantry? I know Mangos do much better if they are not stored in the fridge, but what about everything else?

When I buy the avocados at the store, they are not being chilled. Does that mean they dont need to be stored in the fridge and will do better in a basket on my counter?

If anyone has any info on this topic, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks!
Tracie

[glad_2beme]

Tracie - no question is dumb...I personally keep onions avocados tomatoes oranges apples bananas etc OUT of the fridge

In the fridge I keep lettuces, greens, carrots cucumbers etc...

[Tracie]

Now that I eat raw, I sure do buy a lot more produce. In fact, that is just about all I buy. My refrigerator doesnt handle it all very well. I also buy a large variety because my children are rather picky with their choices. So I try to accomodate them. Anything to get them to eat healthy.

I am glad to know that I can keep the tomatoes, avocados and apples out of the fridge. That will save space.

If the food is on the counter in a pretty basket, maybe that will encourage them to eat more.

Thanks again for such a quick response. I appreciate it!

[misslinda]

This is a suggestion but myself, I only buy what I eat for that day or for a few days out.

I recently asked the produce workers if I could have a few of those paper dividers that they use for fruits and veggies such as apples, lemons avacoados etc (layer them). I made a space on my kitchen counter to set it on.

I find things like open fruits and veggies,lettuce do better in the fridge. I'm still learning what works best. Great question for all of us!

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

If they keep it in the refrigerated section in the store, then I keep it in my fridge.
such as
greens,
lettuces,
carrots
celery
zucchini
squash
dates
nuts
jalepenos
peppers
and all cut fruits and veggies

Do not keep these items in the fridge.
tomatoes,
potatoes
yams,
sweet potatoes
apples
oranges
bananas
avocados
pineapple
mangos

If I have something that is going to go bad before I can eat it, I will dehydrat it, and use it in a recipe later. Veggies make wonderful soup bases, or you can simply freeze fruits, in bite sized pieces and use in smoothies, or ice cream

[Autumn]

Tracie, I agree that having produce in bowls out in the open gets everyone to eat more of them.

While I was prepaing dinner, my husband would come in from work starving and start eating bread with butter or something else to hold him over until dinner was ready. I started putting out a bowl of grapes or baby carrots or celery slices and now he just starts chowing down on those items before dinner is served. I imagine it would work equally well with children. On Saturdays I clean out the refrigerator and anything that is still good (before our Sunday morning shopping trip) gets sliced and put out on a large pretty platter for all-day nibbling while we do our chores, etc.

[sweetgoddess]

check out this beautiful raw kitchen with fruit storage everywhere!

http://www.ringlet.org/photos/kitchen-and-storage/index.php

[rawpriestess]

YES, I've seen her site, and she is 40 can you believe it? she looks 12 to me.

I can't imagine all that produce, unless they do retreats or have about 20 people living there. Looks so wonderful.

I have a small bowl for fruits including tomatoes, plus the entire fridge for veggies and freezer for nuts.

I love reading about the geckos eating the tips off the bananas, she must live tropical. All we worry about here is them molding because the air is always so damp (lakeside) in Western Washingon.

I remember when I was young, I could leave my jacket outside on the rail, or I could leave a toy outside, and it would be fine the next day, but when we moved to Western Washington, anything I left outside, even in the summer, was drenched when I found it the next day. All this wonderful dew that keeps our beautiful area green.

So, no outside lawn furniture that is real wicker, no cute little cushions on the deck stairs, no paper lanterns around the hot tub. No closets with outside walls (mold inside)

No cute little cotton fabric pagodas by the lake. Alas, my decorating skills must remain indoors. Or else by sunbrella fabric which is kahki or ivory or dark green, oh yes, you can get stripes. YUCK!!, I want red and paisley to boot.

[sweetgoddess]

yes she lives tropical...look at the fruit she harvests. I cant imagine eating all that fruit.
did you say 40?~~!!!
haha rp, our van even grows mildew on it, drives me nuts!!
But I wouldnt trade it for the green....feeds my soul.

[Tracie]

[QUOTE=rawpriestess]YES, I've seen her site, and she is 40 can you believe it? she looks 12 to me.

I can't imagine all that produce, unless they do retreats or have about 20 people living there. Looks so wonderful.



That little girl on the home page is 40???!!! Yikes....I look like I could be her mom and I am younger than her.

Rawpriestess...as always your information has been very helpful. I really liked the list you put together and the rules behind it. If the store keeps it cold, then I will too.

Thanks everyone.....now I want to go check out Janie's sight.. :-)

[Tracie]

[QUOTE=Autumn]Tracie, I agree that having produce in bowls out in the open gets everyone to eat more of them.

I have a rainbow on my counter....my daughters ate so much fruit when they came home from school, that they didnt want dinner. They weren't sure why they weren't hungry because they dont really remember eating all afternoon. I didnt bother to tell them. I think it is great!

[Sharon in Colorado]

One thing I do is place avocadoes in the fridge once they are ripe, since they tend do go bad fairly quickly. That goes for any other kind of fruit, and also oranges which can go moldy.