Despite 1 in 6 Americans being food insecure, about one-third of purchased food is thrown out by American consumers. Not only that but about 8% of global emissions are caused by food waste! One of the most impactful things we as individuals can do to resolve these issues is to eliminate food waste. We can tackle our food waste problems by doing things like composting, repurposing food scraps, and actually using up the food we’re buying.
A huge proponent of that is making sure we’re giving the food we’re buying the best chance at getting used up! The first step to this is learning how to properly store food so it doesn’t go bad before we can use it.
Produce tends to be the first thing to spoil, yet there are definitely some tricks involved to ensure it keeps well. I’ve certainly dealt with the learning curve that comes with figuring out how to best store produce. So, I’ve cultivated some best practices that have helped me cut down on the food I’m wasting. So, let’s discuss the best ways to store 10 of the easiest-to-spoil fruits and veggies to make sure they’re usable for the longest amount of time.
1. Mushrooms
I love cooking with mushrooms but they can get slimy so quickly! The most important part of ensuring your mushrooms stay freshest for longest is not storing them in plastic because that traps moisture. To avoid slimy mushrooms, buy them loose and store them in a paper bag in the fridge. If you don’t have access to loose mushrooms, then remove them from their plastic packaging before storing in a paper bag. You can also store them out of the fridge in a cool place, like a root cellar if you have one.
2. Greens
Just like with mushrooms, greens don’t do well with moisture. So, don’t wash before storing! Keep them in a container with a cloth or paper towel covering them instead of a lid or store them in a cloth bag. Make sure not to overstuff the bag or container though to prevent moisture from getting trapped. If you want to wash your greens, the best way to store them is in a salad spinner! A salad spinner lets excess moisture drip off while still allowing adequate airflow.
Softer greens like butter lettuce and spinach will naturally go bad faster than hardier greens like kale and iceberg lettuce, so keep that in mind when deciding what you want to use first. That’ll give your greens the best chance of getting used before they get mushy!
3. Asparagus
Just like fresh herbs, asparagus does excellent when stored in a jar with some water stem side down. If you have a lot of asparagus or want to keep it for longer than a week, you can freeze it! Store in a freezer-safe container or bag after you wash and dry them for up to three months. For even longer storage, blanching the asparagus before freezing will help it keep for up to six months.
4. Zucchini
To avoid floppy zucchini, store it unwashed in the crisper drawer. If you’re storing ethylene-dense produce (like apples) in the crisper too, store your zucchini on the middle shelf of your fridge. You can also wash, cut, and freeze zucchini to keep it fresh for up to six months. Or, you can pickle your zucchini for a more flavorful method of storage!
5. Carrots
If you buy carrots with their green leaves still attached, remove those and store them separately. Store those tops like you would fresh herbs or compost them. Then wash and cut the carrot roots and store them in an airtight container or jar with water covering them. Make sure to change the water every couple of days though! If you don’t plan on using the carrots raw, I recommend freezing them. Wash, cut, then store in a reusable freezer-safe bag or container.
6. Avocado
When unripe, avocados can be stored at room temperature. If they’re getting ripe or when they’re at peak ripeness, move them to the fridge. To store cut avocados, place a damp tea towel or paper towel on the cut side and keep them in the fridge. You can also submerge in water, but I find the towel method to be less messy and works just as well.
7. Garlic
For garlic, don’t store it in the fridge, and don’t store it with potatoes or other tubers! Keep in a cool, dark, and dry place in a basket or bag that allows air to circulate. Never store in an airtight container or a warm environment, like next to your stove. If your garlic starts to sprout, don’t worry! It’s safe to eat the green parts, but if you’re wary just cut those bits off and compost them. I like wire baskets for my garlic, onions, and potatoes, but whatever you do just make sure you keep them separate!
8. Green beans
Unwashed green beans in the fridge keep for up to a week. But, for long-term storage, wash and trim your green beans then store them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. You can blanch them to ensure their color stays, but, as long as you use them within a couple of months, I find this step is unnecessary.
9. Citrus
If you’re going to use up your citrus within a week you can keep it at room temperature on your counter. Keeping citrus in a moist environment is a must for long-term storage though. Store citrus submerged in water in a container or jar to achieve this. You can store cut citrus in a reusable bag or use a silicone cover or beeswax wrap to keep it moist until use. Or, you can juice your citrus and freeze it in ice cube trays for even longer storage if you don’t need the whole fruit.
10. Berries
As with so many other things, too much moisture makes berries spoil faster. To keep your berries freshest for longest, wash them in a vinegar and water bath then rinse well and allow them to dry completely. Then, store them in a container with a cloth towel or paper towel without a lid. Berry baskets are perfect for this as they allow airflow, but making sure they’re dry before storing is the most important part. You can also freeze your berries if you’re taking too long to use them fresh and are worried about them spoiling.
Knowing how to store produce properly helps tackle food waste.
Learning the best way to store produce is an important element in eliminating household food waste! Plus, with food costs being what they are, it’s never been more important to ensure nothing goes to waste. Whether you buy produce infrequently or struggle to use your produce up completely, keeping it fresh can be tricky. So, what do you do to make sure your produce stays fresh? Let me know and let’s fight food waste together!