How to Make Fresh Vegetables Last Longer

Your children might be happy to learn they won't have to eat those fresh veggies because your carrots have gone limp and your lettuce is wilted. All you can think about, though, as you're throwing away your old vegetables is how much they cost. Vegetables will last long enough for you to serve them to your family if you spend a few minutes getting them ready to store. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Remember that a tomato is actually a berry. It should be stored on the countertop, stem side down and away from direct sunlight.

2. Place cucumbers on the top shelf of the refrigerator to keep them from partially freezing. Wrap fresh corn in a damp cloth and store it still in its husk on a shelf.

3. Store carrots and celery in the crisper. Cut the green tops off the carrots and place them in a paper bag before storing them. Mushrooms should also be placed in a paper bag.

4. Onions, potatoes and garlic should be stored in a basket or wire bin in a dark place.

5. Freeze certain fresh vegetables but remember to blanch them first. Cut them up, drop them in boiling water for a minute or so, then plunge them into an ice bath. Dry them and place in plastic bags. Carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, broccoli and green beans can be frozen this way.

6. Dice and freeze onions, celery and bell peppers. Veggies like these that will be cooked thoroughly in the course of meal preparation don't need to be blanched first.

Tips & Warnings

• Never try to freeze lettuce, radishes, potatoes, onions or whole tomatoes.

Resources

• Learn how to safely consume fresh fruit and vegetables at the Food and Drug Administration's website.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.