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- Charlene J.
Nelson, BC

Storage Tips by Item

Produce Storage Tips - Fruits
Produce Storage Tips - Veggies
Other Tips

Storage Tips by Location

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*Wash all fruit and vegetables only as you use them.

Vegetables

Store in the veggie crisper of the refrigerator:

Leafy greens: wet greens deteriorate quickly; store dry in plastic bag; use within 3 - 4 days.

Asparagus: separate spears and store in plastic bag; use within 2 - 3 days.

Corn: store in husks in plastic bag; use within 2 - 3 days as corn sugars convert to starches.

Brassicas: (includes broccoli, rutabaga, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnip, radish, cabbage, mustard greens) keep wrapped in plastic so they do not transfer their odour; use within a week.

Carrots, sunchokes, parsnips, daikon, celery, leeks: store in perforated plastic bags; remove greens from carrots and parsnips; will keep for several weeks.

Burdock Root: store in plastic bag; keep moist.

Warmest section of the fridge (door, upper shelf)

Cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, eggplant: store unwrapped; will keep 1 - 2 weeks.

Peas: keep in plastic bag, use within 2 - 3 days.

Beans: store loosely in plastic bag; use within 1 week.

Mushrooms: store in paper bag with barely damp paper towel.

Cool dry location (basement, pantry)

Tomatoes: store loose in a box or bowl. If under-ripe, place in warmer location. Will keep up to 2 weeks, depending on ripeness. Do not store in the fridge as that will cause the flavour to deteriorate. Once cut open, they can be kept in the fridge.

Potatoes and yams: should be kept in the dark; unwashed potatoes store longer; will keep for several weeks.

Warm dry location (room temperature)

Onions and Garlic: need good air circulation, keep away from light and potatoes; both do well in hanging baskets or mesh bags; depending on their condition when harvested, will store several months. The longer they are stored, the cooler the temperature.

Winter squash (including pumpkin): store loose on shelf - do not allow them to touch each other. Will keep several months.

Fruit

*Most fruit is damaged by bruising; handle and store carefully.

Refrigerator:

Apples, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, rhubarb, kiwis: Keep in plastic bags, will keep well in fridge.

Berries, cherries, figs: protect from bruising, store in an open, shallow container. Use within 3 - 4 days.

Cool location:

Ripe bananas, citrus fruit (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit), melons, pineapple.

Room temperature:

Unripened bananas, peaches, pears, kiwis; store unripened peaches and pears in a single layer and watch closely for signs of ripening - the fruit gives under gentle pressure, pears turn lemony yellow.

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