Imagine this scenario: you get home and unload the groceries, admiring the bounty of delicious fruit and vegetables you’ve purchased for your family. You toss everything in the fridge, and somehow, before you can finish it all, you’ve found some (or much!) of it has gone bad. Moldy blueberries, rotting strawberries, slimy green beans. Even dutifully following the dirty dozen and buying all organic doesn’t make food immune to quickly spoiling. How on earth is it so hard to keep your produce fresh? Spoilage happens all too frequently!
All it takes is for too much time to pass – or, more likely, for there to be one squished berry in the container that quickly rots and spoils the rest. The proverb “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel” is no joke. In this case, don’t let an errant spoiled berry ruin the rest!
Not too long ago, I came across a method for cleaning and storing certain types of produce to prolong their shelf lives. After the first try, I was hooked. Save those expensive berries!
Here’s what to do:
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar (not apple cider vinegar!)
- Water
- Large bowl
- Colander
- Paper towels or clean cloths
- Airtight storage jars
Directions
The Cleaning
As soon as you return from the store, put all produce aside. Prepare your wash by combining 4 cups of water with 1 cup of white vinegar in a large bowl. Dump in your items for a little bacteria-fighting bath time! (Personally I wash items in shifts by type because I store them separately, but there’s probably no harm in washing raspberries with blackberries, for example.) Let everything have a proper soak for about 5-8 minutes. Feel free to swirl them around in the water a time or two. For large items, like peaches or apples, simply pluck out and transfer to the drying area. For smaller items like berries or a package of arugula, drain in a colander.
Rinse the produce with cold water to get all the vinegar solution off.
(Note: another option is to put the vinegar and water solution into a spray bottle and spray larger produce items. If following this method, still let the solution sit for several minutes before rinsing.)
Drying Time
This is admittedly the hardest part because it is the longest part. Patience! To truly ensure you will keep your produce fresh for longer, everything needs to be totally bone-dry. This will take several hours.
You can either use paper towels or a clean dishcloth. Put your produce out on your desired drying surface and make sure it is one even layer. Check after a few hours and turn produce as needed. Once there is no more visible moisture, you’re ready to store.
Storage
Before storing, be sure to discard any berries that are squished or otherwise look unhealthy.
My preferred method for storing berries is in mason jars with plastic lids. Put a clean paper towel at the bottom and then pour in your berries. Lunch prep has been even easier with these already cleaned fruits ready to go into lunch boxes or for a handy snack.
Do you have tips for keeping produce fresh? Share them in the comments!
