There are times when we happen to shop for more grocery than is required, just because you feel they are fresh or you are getting them for the best price possible. Fruits and vegetables are all perishable with a very short life. Even groceries lose their freshness and flavor after some time.
Since you don't like wasting food, sometimes you tend to manage with whatever is available, which incidentally may be some not-so-fresh veggies or grains. If you knew some tips about how to preserve these foods longer, you can churn out the best meals day after day. All foods cannot be stored in the same manner. They require different storage techniques to stay fresh longer.
Fruits and Vegetables That Don't Need Refrigeration
Some fruits and vegetables need not be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. These should be kept in a dark place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Banana: Store banana in a fruit bowl for the first three days and then refrigerate.
- Apple: Store in a fruit bowl for the first five days and then refrigerate.
- Grapefruit (Chakotra): This can be stored outside for the first seven days.
- Plums, Black Berries, and Other Stone Fruits: When these are raw, you can store it outside in a brown paper bag. Once they are ripe, they should be refrigerated.
- Onions and Potatoes: These don't need refrigeration, and can be stored in a dark, dry place.
Fruits and Vegetables That Need Refrigeration
- Beetroot, Carrot and Radish: Cut off the green top and store in a dry bag.
- Cucumber, Zucchini, Bell Pepper (Capsicum) and Squash: These should be dry and stored in a plastic bag or refrigerator bag.
- Leafy Vegetables: These need special attention. Clean the leaves and leave it on a paper for the water to dry. When it is visibly dry, store it in a dry plastic bag or refrigerator bag.
- Corn: Store corn with the husk on to avoid the kernel from drying.
- Mushroom: Store mushrooms unwashed in a brown paper bag.
- Green Beans: If the beans are not for immediate use, put them away separately in a plastic bag without cutting off the ends.
It is important to store all fruits and vegetables in separate bags in order to increase their shelf life. Fruit and vegetables emit ethylene, an odorless gas, which speeds up the ripening process of other fruits and vegetable around them and may result in early spoilage. Some vegetables like spinach are heavy breathers that could spoil the veggies stored along with it.
Storage Techniques for Other Food Materials
- Meat and Poultry: These should be stored in the meat drawer in their original packages, and should be used within two days. If it needs prolonged storage, wrap it in a foil paper and freeze it. Bacon and ham should be covered with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
- Fish: Since fish has a strong aroma, do not keep it along with other foods, as the possibility of other foods smelling fishy is there. Either broil the fish before storing in the refrigerator or directly freeze it.
- Eggs: Eggs can be stored in the carton it comes in or on the egg shelf of your refrigerator.
- Milk: Milk has the tendency to soak up any flavor easily. Thus, it should be kept away from fruits and vegetables and other strong-flavored foods. It can be stored in its original container or in a bowl that is properly covered.
- Cheese: As cheese dries out quickly, it should be neatly wrapped in a wax paper or plastic cover before storing.
- Spices: In order to lock the aroma of spices for a longer time, these should always be stored in a glass jar.
- Grains: A bay leaf keeps insects at bay. Yeah, not kidding... Keep some fresh bay leaves along with the grains in an airtight container. This ensures that your grains stay fresh for longer duration.
A homemaker has a lot of responsibility on her feeble shoulders. Sometimes, she has to double up as a career woman cum homemaker. These storage techniques sure will give her some respite from off-and-on shopping for her kitchen requirements.
