Oh my word, has the grocery store gotten expensive lately! I don’t know about you, but I am doing all that I can to save money and to make the most of the foods that I am buying. A bit part of this for me was to learn how to make perishable foods, such as produce, last longer.
While it may seem financially smarter to buy more non-perishable foods, it really isn’t because you need healthy foods in your life! Healthy foods typically mean fewer trips to the doctor which saves you money overall. When stored properly, you really can make produce last longer and save you from throwing food away.
How to Make Produce Last Longer
Buy Produce with a Longer Shelf Life
Some produce simply last longer than others. Be sure to stock up on some of the following items the next time you head to the produce section:
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussel Sprouts
- Collards
- Kale
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Winter Squash (Pumpkin squash, spaghetti squash, etc)
- Apples
- Pears
- Oranges
- Lemons
Store Your Vegetables Properly
Be sure to store your fruits and veggies in the proper way. This isn’t always the same, so be sure and research how to best store each of them. Here are some examples:
- Leafy vegetables (lettuce, etc) should be stored in a plastic bag with a paper towel in a produce drawer in the fridge.
- Potatoes and squash should be stored in a cool, dark place.
- Root vegetables should be stored in the vegetable drawer in the fridge.
- Bananas should be stored at room temperature, but away from other produce.
Separate Them
Produce should be separated from other produce when storing. Many types of produce release ethylene gas and many types of produce are also sensitive to ethylene gas. Storing them away from each other is helpful in preventing them from going bad.