OK, as we all know the shelf life of fresh veggies are very low. I only shop once a week since I'm out in the country and have no need to run to town more than that.
How do you keep your veggies fresher longer?
Celery
Lettuce (this week I'm gonna get Spinach!)
Mushrooms
tomatoes
ANYthing, cucumbers, radishes, etc.
What is your trick and how often do you shop for these items?
The green bags are a really good investment. I was skeptical at first, but my MIL bought some and let me use one. Awesome. I immediately bought some. $10 to keep all our produce fresh until we use it.
I haven't tried the green bags. I shop once a week for this stuff, and my only trick is when it starts getting a little old, I cook it. I'll make a pot of veggie soup or something else that can use a ton of veggies, which I can freeze or keep in the fridge for a few days longer.
I gave in and bought the green bags a couple of months ago. They really do work and are reusable. Do you have any cool, dry spots? I would use my back hall for things like greens, celery & tomatoes (and put the greens in green bags). They seem to do better in cool rather than cold.
Cyndi, unfortunately no, I don't have "cool spots"... i live in a mobile home, that heats like a car . (in winter it freezes as a car does!) Most uneconomical place to live is a single wide!
The only drawback about the containers I've found is that the big one is big... It holds a lot - I usually use it for broccoli, then it is hard to fit back in the produce drawer, so sometimes I sit the container in the middle of the lowest shelf of the fridge above the drawer.
They keep things really fresh, though. I usually get 14-18 days on most things, I once got almost 4 weeks on grapes, but I don't know their normal shelf life to compare that to...
Last edited by Shannon in ATL; 10-01-2008 at 10:33 AM.
I've definitely gotta try those green bags. I saw some at Dollar General. Not sure if they're the brand or a cheap knockoff.
I wonder if that new Ziplock vaccuum seal will work for produce. It keeps meats and things in the freezer a lot longer without freezerburn, so I wonder if it would keep veggies just as fresh in the fridge.
For celery, wrap it in foil, it'll keep for a month that way.
You are correct that spinach in hardier then lettuce and I've never had it go bad in a week (just check the date on the box/bag.) I do buy spinach in the box though, seems to last better then the bagged stuff.
For mushrooms, do you usually cook them? Why not saute them and then put into baggies for separate meals. They won't go bad as quick once cooked.
Limp veggies can be revived with ice water.
I buy veggies once a week and have no problems with things going bad. Of course I buy most of my veggies from the farmer's market, so they are probably fresher.
Herbs will last a couple weeks if you sprinkle them with water, wrap in a paper towel, and then put in a zip lock bag. Just don't do this with basil, basil turns black if it's refrigerated.
I've definitely gotta try those green bags. I saw some at Dollar General. Not sure if they're the brand or a cheap knockoff.
I wonder if that new Ziplock vaccuum seal will work for produce. It keeps meats and things in the freezer a lot longer without freezerburn, so I wonder if it would keep veggies just as fresh in the fridge.
Making the seal better would probably make veggies spoil quicker. According to the adverts, the reason the green bags work is because the bags release the ethyl gas that makes produce ripen/spoil faster. Making the seal tighter, will just let the gas build up.
I've never tried the green bags myself, but I have heard they work from other people.
keeping it FRESH?????
. (in winter it freezes as a car does!) Most uneconomical place to live is a single wide! 
