If you are concerned about proper nutrition, you should know how to keep vegetables fresh. Vegetables are a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals, but you will lose a lot of their nutritional value when they go rotten. Vegetables are also best eaten the fresher they are, because many tend to lose their flavor and texture the longer you wait to serve them. If you want to keep your vegetables as fresh and tasty as possible, follow these simple tips.
Make Groupings
Not all vegetables are the same, and so it goes to follow that not all vegetables are meant to be kept in the same way. Save time and money by grouping all your vegetables into specific categories before storing them. This way, you can make sure that everything is in its proper place, being kept fresh in the proper way.
When grouping vegetables, you will need to take note of which ones require high or low humidity when in storage. Lettuce and green onions, for example, go better in dry air rather than moist air, and should be stored accordingly. Your local grocer should be able to help you with the details.
Inspect the Veggies
Another thing you should do before actually storing your vegetables is to thoroughly inspect them. Any form of spoiling on a vegetable, such as molds or rot, can spread to the others you keep it with. Even worse, any bugs found inside one of your veggies can move on to other feasts when they are done nibbling on their current victim.
Keep an eye out for any irregularities on your vegetables. If one cannot be saved by cutting off an offending part, you are better off throwing it away altogether. You do not want one rotten veggie spoiling the rest.
Store Properly
A lot of vegetables are best stored in your refrigerator, because the cold temperatures inside help fight off pesky bacteria, while the door keeps any pests away. However, tossing your produce into the refrigerator simply is not enough; you’ve got to know where inside the refrigerator they should be kept, if refrigerated at all.
Spinach, for example, does just fine on your refrigerator’s shelves, but cauliflower fares better inside the comforts of your crisper drawer. Leafy vegetables need a spot that keeps them away from any excess moisture. If you don’t have a relatively dry drawer in your fridge, you can make do by putting them in a plastic bag, with a paper towel to absorb the moisture.
Some vegetables don’t go into the refrigerator at all. Potatoes, squash and onions, for example, are best kept in cool, dry containers. Just make sure that whatever drawer or container you choose to store them in also keeps the bugs away.
Practice Quality Control
Whenever you get vegetables for your dishes, make it a point to check the others out while you’re there. If you see any signs of spoiling, quickly toss those pieces out. As mentioned, spoiling and pests can hop from one vegetable to the next, so protect your produce to keep vegetables fresh, and stay vigilant.
