Cleaning and Storing Produce

Guide to Cleaning and Storing Fruits and Vegetables: Save Time, Money, and Enjoy Fresh Produce Year-Round

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health. However, knowing how to properly clean and store your produce is essential to ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat. In this blog, we'll guide you through the best practices for cleaning and storing fruits and vegetables, provide a list of peak seasons for the most common produce in the Southeast United States, and explain how taking the time to prepare your food can save you money in the long run.

‍

Cleaning Your Fruits and Vegetables

Properly cleaning your produce is crucial to remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticides. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your fruits and vegetables are clean and ready to eat:

‍

Wash Your Hands: Always start by washing your hands with soap and water.

Rinse Under Running Water: Rinse all produce under cool running water. There's no need to use soap or commercial produce washes.

Use a Brush for Firm Produce: For firm produce like potatoes, cucumbers, and melons, use a clean brush to scrub the surface.

Remove Outer Layers: For leafy greens, remove the outermost leaves before washing. Pre chop to size desired and use salad spinner. If without salad spinner, pat dry with a paper towel and set over a baking cooling rack to dry.

Soak Delicate Produce: For delicate items like berries, soak them in a bowl of water and salt ratio. 1 cup water to 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt and gently swish them around. Let sit for no more than 5 min. Rinse in Colander, set out on a paper towel or dish towel over a baking cooling rack to dry. 

‍

Storing Your Fruits and Vegetables

Proper storage of fruits and vegetables can extend their shelf life and keep them tasting their best. Here are some general storage tips:

‍

Refrigerate Most Produce: Most fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator. Think of how it was found in the grocery store, that’s how you should store it. Items like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and garlic do better at room temperature.

Use the Crisper Drawer: The crisper drawer in your refrigerator is designed to keep produce fresh by maintaining the right humidity level. If without a crisper drawer, at least avoid storing up top of the fridge or in the side doors.

Separate Fruits and Vegetables: Some fruits emit ethylene gas, which can cause vegetables to spoil faster. Store them separately to prolong their freshness. Bananas for example need to be placed on a counter away from any other fruits or vegetables. Same for Apples. Apples can be stored in a Crisper drawer or on a countertop. 

Keep Berries Dry: Store berries in a single layer on a paper towel-lined tray, covered loosely with plastic wrap or leave in a topless container. Berries need to be dry and able to breathe.

Wrap Leafy Greens: Wrap leafy greens in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or airtight container. If you buy a bag of spinach or lettuce and only want to use it as you eat it then place a dry paper towel in the bag with the greens then seal up. The paper towel absorbs the moisture to keep the greens fresher longer. 

Side note -Freezing: Bananas : Peel, break in half, put in a ziplock bag, blow air into the bag until full and zip tight. The Carbon Dioxide slows the ripening process of the bananas. Trust us on this! Freezing : Avocados : Cut to desired size, remove seed, place on baking sheet with non-stick paper, brush lemon or lime juice onto the slices and freeze. Once frozen, place in freezer ziplock bags.

Peak Seasons for Common Fruits and Vegetables in the Southeast United States

Knowing when fruits and vegetables are in season can help you buy the freshest produce at the best prices. Here are the peak seasons for some common items in the Southeast:

‍

Spring (March - May)

Asparagus

Strawberries

Spinach

Lettuce

Summer (June - August)

Tomatoes

Peaches

Cucumbers

Watermelon

Bell Peppers

Blueberries

Fall (September - November)

Apples

Squash

Sweet Potatoes

Broccoli

Pumpkins

Winter (December - February)

Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits)

Kale

Brussels Sprouts

Collard Greens

‍

Batch Cleaning: Clean, prep and store all your produce at once. This makes it easier to grab a healthy snack or start cooking right away.

Pre-cut and Portion: Cut up fruits and vegetables and store them in portioned containers. This makes it more convenient to eat healthy and less tempting to buy snacks from gas stations or vending machines.

Meal Prep: Plan your meals and prepare ingredients ahead of time. This can help reduce food waste and save money by avoiding last-minute takeout.

Use Reusable Storage: Invest in reusable storage bags and containers. They help keep your produce fresh and reduce plastic waste.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables, save money by avoiding impulse purchases, and reduce food waste. Taking the time to prepare your produce can make a significant difference in your overall health and well-being. So, next time you do your grocery shopping, remember these tips and enjoy the benefits of fresh, clean, and properly stored produce.

‍