Keeping produce fresh

[raw_danceruk]

Firstly, sorry if this has been covered before, I couldnt get the search function to work. So apologies.

Second how do you keep your produce fresh?

Buying regularly or use a certain product-paper, stayfresh products/bags?.. I have tried wrapping things in paper, keeping some items in the fridge..some in bowls.. all out on the counter..all in fridge.. Am i missing something??

I was buying produce twice a week, but this week I have been sick.. got some oranges on Wednesday, today I had to throw out 6 of the 12.. they arent cheap.. wasnt happy..:(


Any tricks??.. or just shop everyday??

I will try anything..esp since I now have a bin full of mouldy oranges!!

Thanks

x

[RAWk Angel]

I use FreshSaver Produce Keeper containers and Evert-Fresh Green Bags to help keep my produce fresh.

[CaliRaw]

Oranges should last longer than two days. Maybe they were bad when you bought them.

[Veganforlife]

I use tupperware's fridge smart containers - LOVE THEM! They have moisture controls on them and it really helps. I use a salad spinner for my greens. I freeze nuts, dates, seeds. Bananas I'll freeze whole WITH the peels on - just set in a bowl of cool water for less then a minute - the peels slide right off. Oranges, lemons, pineapple, plums, etc. I've ended up putting in my fridge because of fruit flies.

[diali36]

I had the same problem esp when I 1st started out and went and bought everything I could possibly need to eat for a week. Let's say my compost pile was refreshed half way thru the week. Now what I do is buy small amounts of what looks best, enough for 2, 3 days max. That has worked best for me, no more thowing stuff out. That gets way too expensive!!

[Nurse in the Raw]

I buy produce 2 times a week and use green bags for lettuce and stuff that goes bad quickly.

[bodaflower]

Is there a place you can buy Evert-Fresh Green Bags other than online?

[raw_danceruk]

Thanks for all the replies.. I got a tonne of fridge tuppaware type things..will see how it works

agreed those oranges were probably already bad.. but I dont spend much per week and want it to last!!

now my two fridges are nice and full!!

[jeannieh99]

I used to have a lot of spoilage and it made me insane. I just felt like I was tossing money in the trash!
Someone shared a tip about how she uses her food saver to save her valuable produce. I began doing that and I can tell you I don't loose anything to spoilage! It has made a HUDGE difference at my house. I can buy fruit and veggies on sale and just put them in my food saver bags and voila!!
I can't recommend the food saver enough! I got a cheapie one with no bells and whistles and it works great!
Jeannie

[bunnybunny]

I use tupperware's fridge smart containers - LOVE THEM! They have moisture controls on them and it really helps. I use a salad spinner for my greens. I freeze nuts, dates, seeds. Bananas I'll freeze whole WITH the peels on - just set in a bowl of cool water for less then a minute - the peels slide right off. Oranges, lemons, pineapple, plums, etc. I've ended up putting in my fridge because of fruit flies.


Veganforlife, when you take your nuts/dates/seeds out of the freezer to use/eat, how long does it take for them to thaw out?

[Veganforlife]

Oh, not long at all. They thaw very quickly, like within 15 minutes or less...the dates I spread out on a plate. The nuts/seeds, just in a measuring cup.
My bananas which I freeze w/the peels on, I put in a cool bowl/jar of water. The peels slide off. Don't use hot water - it will make mush out of the banana. I like freezing them with the peels on because, first - I'm lazy, second - it keeps their white color, they don't oxidize (brown) like peeled ones do.

[bunnybunny]

Awesome. Thanks!

[GlimR]

Great question!~

I wasted a lot in the beginning too. Especially because I would buy say 6 pkgs. of fresh blueberries on sale and then not feel like eating that many thru the week....bananas too, whatever. I shop on saturdays and sundays usually. Now on saturday morning whatever fruit is left over goes in the freezer and I use it for my green smoothies, super shakes, etc...during the following week. The frozen fruit makes them colder and thicker and I prefer that to adding ice and watering down the flavor of the fruit. Now I make sure I buy enough so that there will be leftovers to freeze...especially the bananas!!