How disappointing is it when you reach for the produce in your fridge and it looks like it’s gone bad? Well, you’re not the only one. Just because it wasn’t eaten quickly enough doesn’t mean you can’t save it! Here are some quick tips to save some of your favorite produce (as well as money) from getting tossed in the trash before you can even enjoy it.
Reviving some of those “not-so-fresh” items:
Asparagus – Cut 3/4 inch from the bottom of each spear, refrigerate for an hour, stored upright
in a glass with 2 inches of water.
Broccoli – Cut into florets, refrigerate for 30 minutes, soaking in ice water.
Carrots – Cut 1/2 inch from both ends, refrigerate for an hour, soaking in ice water
Celery – Separate into individual ribs; trim 1 inch from the bottom of each, refrigerate for an hour,
stored upright in a glass with 2 inches of water.
Chives – Trim 1/2 inch from both ends, refrigerate for 30 minutes, soaking in cold water.
Green Beans – Cut off the stem ends, refrigerate for 1 hour, soaking in ice water.
Parsley, Basil & Mint – Trim 1/2 inch from the stem ends, refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, stored
upright in a glass with 2 inches of water.
Romaine Lettuce – Tear each head into separate leaves, refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes,
soaking in cold water.
Spinach – Refrigerate for 30 minutes, soaking in cold water.
There are also some ways to use your produce before they even get a chance to go bad.
Freeze It! Whether it’s because you can’t eat it soon enough or simply because you may want a delicious item when it’s out of season, freezing can be the way to go. Be sure to store it properly though, vacuum sealed bags are a great suggestion to keep that nasty freezer burn away. Make Pesto. Pesto is not as hard as you may think to make and it’s a good way to use up large amounts of herbs or greens. So, find an easy pesto recipe that suits your tastes and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. Infused Water. Liven up your H20 by infusing herbs, veggies and fruits in your water and refrigerate for a few hours. It’s so easy and you can have fun experimenting with different ingredients and combinations, such as cucumber and basil.
Fresh produce is key to a healthy diet but unfortunately it usually isn’t the affordable part of our grocery budget. In a recent study, out of over 1,000 online store coupons fewer than 1% were for fruits and vegetables. But not to fear! There are still ways to save on your produce such as shopping at your local farmer’s market or even shaking off excess water on items at the store to lessen the weight. However you choose to enjoy, try to have some fun with it and use some of these tips to help keep you and your produce healthy.
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