food storage

[meancat]

I was wondering if people would share their food storage tips with me, such as greens, fruits and veggies.

I currently wash all of my greens, spin dry in salad spinner and keep in plastic shoe containers in paper towels. Seems to work okay but if anyone has something that works better--let me know!

Also, can you freeze most fruits and veggies without losing any vitamins? Do you just freeze in individual servings? Can you wash them first, such as berries?

Any other tricks to make fruits and veggies last longer? Don't have a dehydrator yet, so thats out of the question.


Any help in stretching my dollar would be mucho appreciated!!!

[crystalmoon]

Hi I actually dont do any prep to my fresh fruit, salads, veg etc til just before I eat them cos this keeps the nutrients at their best & I find it also keeps stuff fresh for longer. I store most items in the fridge & so wish I had a huge one LOL
Freezing does reduce nutrient content, not as much as cooking but still quite alot. I try to avoid this unless part of a recipe requires it, like a freezer fudge.
To be honest I have to get fresh supplies a couple of times a week but using organic delivery box schemes means it doesnt take up any of my time really.
Also my local supermarkets always reduce fresh items after about 6pm so its a great time to restock & save money.

[juliebove]

I don't wash my fruits or vegetables until time to use them. I store the vegetables in green bags. I try to put as much as I can in the crisper drawer. There is no room for the fruit in there so I use a Fresh Box, but personally I don't think it keeps them so fresh. I will attempt to put some in the fridge when I can, but there isn't much room.

[trinity082482]

I dont really wash much.. maybe gross but oh well LOL.. I will wash lettuce and mushrooms thou... all the dirt.
I dont really have any way to store foods I dont own any tupperware. I usually keep it in the same bag I bagged it at the store with and toss it into the crisper.

[spicyfull]

I Love to use Plactic Containers called "LOCK 'N LOCK" I order them from QVC. I THREW out ALL My other plastic. I kept a Green Smoothie in the Fridge for 3 weeks and it was STILL Good. I forgot about it, it had no bubbles so I drunk it and it was RAWonderful..........

[meancat]

What is a fresh box?

Green bags?

Any tips to keep mushrooms fresh? They seem to go quicker than I can use them.

[crystalmoon]

Hi Meancat I was wondering the same things, Ive never heard of green bags or fresh boxex?

I decided today to invest in a new larder fridge so I can store lots of fruits veggies & pre prepared raw pates, hummus, desserts, etc. I reckon having things I can grab quickly will help me on the November 30 day challenge.

[casperlynn]

I don't wash my produce until I am ready to use it. I typically purchase the pre-washed spinach in bags so I guess that's the exception, but spinach never lasts long around my house because I consume so much of it in smoothies and salads. I do use the green bags (Google "green bags" for info) and for me, they seem to work rather well. They are supposed to absorb ethylene gases that are given off by produce that contribute to their deterioration and can be re-used several times. Even fruit I leave out on the counter gets placed in a green bag.

The trick is making sure that any water or condensation on the fruits/veggies is not allowed to sit in the bag. I usually throw a paper towel in the bag with the produce to help reduce moisture and wipe up the excess moisture that condences on the item. Works for me.

Oh, and for mushrooms, I buy them from the bulk bin and store them unwashed in a paper lunch sack until I am ready to use them.

Not sure what a fresh box is.

HTH! :D

[KittyMommy]

Green bags are made by a company called EvertFresh. The significantly retard spoilage of fresh produce.

[meancat]

Thanks for the input everyone. I will check out those green bags, I definately need to slow my produce spoilage. $$ ya know.

[Raediance]

I just saw this thread and thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth. I LOVE my Tupperware FridgeSmart containers! I have 5 in various sizes and they keep everything so fresh! Greens last about 2 weeks (honestly), celery and carrots up to a month even. They work on all fruits and veg with 2 adjustable air vents that you open or close depending on what type fruit/veg it is. They are pricey up front but SO WORTH IT! I generally don't use any other types of plastic but I feel these are high quality and safe AND I have saved so much $$ because I RARELY have to throw anything out due to wilt/spoilage. I got mine a little cheaper on eBay as a set of 3 but have added more to accommodate all my lovely raw produce. Here's the link and no, I'm not a Tupperware salesman!


http://order.tupperware.com/coe/app/tup_show_item.show_item_detail?fv_item_number=P100 48446000&fv_item_category_code=18002

http://order.tupperware.com/coe/app/tup_show_item.show_item_detail?fv_item_category_co de=25000

[juliebove]

This is the Freshbox:

http://www.kitchenlabs.com/

I didn't order it from there though and paid a lot more for mine. :(

These are the green bags:

http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/greenbags/index.html

[Rubyred]

I use a lot of methods, and am still learning!

1. I will buy fruit on sale and wash, cut up and freeze in freezer bags. Yes, I know I lose nutrients, but it's better to always have some fruit on hand to throw in a smoothie. It gives me variety and helps when I want something raw but don't have anything fresh on hand.

2. I use glass mason jars to store nuts in the refrigerator or at least in the cupboard. It helps keep them really fresh.

3. I use the EvertFresh green bags too. As someone said above, make sure the produce is dry. They work really well for greens. I have some greens in the fridge right now that I bought 11 days ago. Only some of it (about 15%) is starting to yellow. It would have been thrown out days ago if I used regular storage bags. I generally try to wash and dry all my greens so they are ready to go when I need them.