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Vegetables are incredibly healthy.
Most people prefer to eat vegetables than any other food, especially those who are trying to lose weight naturally.
Storing vegetables is quick and easy, but keeping vegetables fresh longer is a different story. Some people prefer buying fewer items and cook immediately to avoid wasting them.
But for those who don’t have time to go to grocery stores or markets every day, the only option is to keep their vegetables inside the refrigerator.
Some can manage to cook them all, but there are times that vegetables ended up getting spoiled only. You do not want to throw them, but we know that they have a short storage time.
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How to keep vegetables fresh longer?
These are the different ways on how to keep vegetables fresh longer accordingly.
1. Tomatoes
Store tomatoes out of the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer. You can keep them at room temperature and out of the sunlight. Store tomatoes in a single layer and stem side down as this will keep them juicier for a few more days.
2. Onion
Store whole onion in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated room. You can keep them in an open basket to ensure proper ventilation and prevent rotting. On the other hand, peeled or sliced onion must be placed in an airtight container and kept inside the refrigerator to avoid bacterial contamination.
3. Broccoli
There are three different ways to keep broccoli fresh longer.
A. One way is gently misting the broccoli’s head, wrap in a damp paper towel and refrigerate.
B. Another way is to submerge the stem into a bowl with water. Cover the broccoli’s head with plastic with few holes so the air will circulate then refrigerate. Do not forget to change the water daily.
C. Lastly, you can store broccoli inside a sealed plastic bag. Put some holes near the broccoli’s head to keep ventilated then keep refrigerated.
4. Asparagus
If you want to keep asparagus fresh longer, you can follow these simple steps. Keep the rubber band to keep asparagus together. Trim the end if necessary. Fill a jar with an inch of water. Keep the asparagus upright to keep the end soak in the water. Loosely cover with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.
5. Potato
Potatoes can last longer compared to other vegetables if properly stored. Place potatoes in a box or basket and keep in a cool, dry, dark place and at a temperature ranging from 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid washing potatoes until you are ready to cook them.
6. Lettuce
Lettuce tends to get spoiled fast and to avoid soggy lettuce, learn how to extend its shelf life. Peel damaged leaves and cut off the end. Wrap it in a paper towel and store in a plastic container. Keep them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator and away from other fruits and vegetables. If properly stored, lettuce can last for 7 to 10 days.
7. Zucchini
There are two ways on how you can store zucchinis.
A. One is to keep the zucchinis pat dried, whole and unwashed. Store in a plastic bag with proper ventilation then put in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Check the zucchini before using it.
B. Another way is to blanch and freeze. Chop zucchini into small pieces, put in boiling water without salt, and keep for a minute. After draining, put in a bowl with ice water. Pat the zucchinis dry then place it in the freezer overnight. After freezing, transfer them in a new container for longer storage time. You can freeze zucchini for up to three months.
8. Celery
You can choose from three different methods of storing celery.
A. The first method is to wrap the celery tightly in an aluminum foil. Use this method to store celery in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks.
B. The second method is to wrap the bottom of the celery with wet paper towels. Then keep the celery inside a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator.
C. The last method is to store celery in water. You need to remove the leaves, cut the stalk then cut each celery in half. Place the celery in a container then fill with water. Close and keep it in the refrigerator. Remember to change the water daily.
9. Carrots
Like potatoes, carrots are easy to store. You need to cut off the green top of the carrot. If you want to save and eat the green part, you need to store them in a separate container. After that, you can store unpeeled carrots in a container uncovered with water, and place in the refrigerator. If you can keep moist in the fridge, carrots can last up to a month.
10. Leafy Greens
It is not easy to keep leafy greens fresh inside the refrigerator. You have three options on how to store these vegetables.
A. The first option is to wash and dry them. Place them in a container then add a paper towel on top. Cover it and refrigerate.
B. The second option is to loosely wrap the leafy greens with a towel then tie a loose knot to close. Keep the vegetables in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
C. The last option is to blanch and freeze. After blanching, transfer the greens to a bowl of ice water. Drain and pat dry, place into a container then freeze. After freezing, store them in another container and keep in the freezer.
Reminder!
Storage times are different for each type of vegetable. Use the tips above to keep your vegetables fresh longer. As long as they are not moldy or rotten, they are safe to eat.