How to Store Your Produce

Greens 

Greens store preferably unwashed, wrapped in a damp towel or plastic bag in the hydrator drawer of the refrigerator.  Best used very fresh, but may last for up to 1 week if properly stored.  Keep Moist

Kale

Chard

Spinach 

Lettuce 

Peppers 

Refrigerate peppers unwashed in hydrateor drawer for 1 -2 weeks. To freeze, cut into bite size pieces, and place in an airtight container.  Peppers also dry well.

 

Pumpkin 

 

Apples 

 

Pears 

 

Onions*

Bulb onions will store for several months in a cool dry ventilated place.  Warmth and moisture willl cause sprouting. Store cut onions the refrigerator in an airtight container. 

 

Carrots 

Remove tops, leave about an inch of stems.  Refrigerate dry, unwashed carrots in a plastic bag for two weeks or more. 

 

 

Cabbage 

Refrigerate cabbage in a hydrator drawer.  Do not remove outer leaves before storage. - Properly stored, cabbage can last 3 weeks to 2 months in the refrigerator. It can last much longer in optimum root cellar conditions.

 

Cauliflower

Cauliflower does not keep well. Stored cauliflower may take on an odor & flavor over time. Refrigerate fresh cauliflower in a plastic bag.

 

  Eggplant

Eggplant prefers to be kept at about 50 degrees which is warmer than most refrigerators and cooler than most kitchen counters.  Wrap unwashed eggplant in a towel (not plastic) to absorb any moisture, and keep it in the hydrator drawer of your refrigerator.  used within a week, it should still be fresh.

 

 Broccoli

Wrap broccoli loosely in a plastic bag and keep in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator. Don't use an airtight bag because broccoli needs some room to breathe. It keeps for over a week but is firmest and tastiest if used within a few days. 

 


Our thanks to Ruth Lord for compiling this information.   

 

*Photos marked with an asterisk were provided by FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

Squash 

Dehydrates quickly. Store in plastic bag or hydrator drawer for up to 1 week. Damaged or bruised squash will deteriorate quickly. Cooked or pureed may be frozen.

Patty Pan
Yellow 
Zuchinni

Summer Squash 

Winter squash will store at room temperature for at least a month. Store for several months in a dry and cool location. (50 -55 degrees) 


Butternut
Acorn
Buttercup


Winter Squash 

 Beets

If your beets still have greens attached, cut them off leaving an inch of stem. Put them in a plastic bag unwashed and store in the cripser drawer of your refrigerator. They will keep for seveal weeks but the sweetness will diminish over time. The greens should be kept unwashed and refrigerated in a closed plastic bag.

 

Peas 

Use as soon as possible to retain crispness and flavor. Refrigerate in a plastic bag for 4-5 days. Peas freeze well. Blanch for 3 minutes then submerge in ice water, drain, pat dry and pack into airtight container. 

 

Kohlrabi 

Store kohlrabi globe and leaves separately. The globe will last for 1 month refrigerated. Wrap leaves in a damp towel and place in hydrator drawer of refrigerator. Use greens as soon as possible.

Leeks 

Loosely wrap unwashed leeks in a plastic bag and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator where they will keep for a week.

 

Cucumber* 

 

Tomatoes 

Hold tomatoes at room temperature for up to one week, longer if still ripening.  Do not refrigerate.

 

 Sweet Corn 

Refrigerate immediately with husks on and use as soon as possible to retain sweetness and flavor.  -  Freezes well. Blanch on or off the cob for 3-5 minutes rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and drain. Dry corn well, then pack it on or off the cob into airtight containers.

 

Green Beans 

Refrigerate fresh in a plastic bag and use beans as soon as possible.  Green beans will keep quite well for up to about a week. 

 

Celery*

 

Potatoes 

Refrigerate baby new potatoes if not used wihin 2-3 days. Use within 1-2 weeks. Most potatoes will keep for 2 weeks, store away from light. For longer storage - 45-50 degrees in darkness.

 

 

  

Home            What's in the Bag            Produce

FAQ                Sign Up                Member Recipes