 Apples - Store in cool, dry place or refrigerate. Apples may seem crisper
when they are chilled. Don’t store near carrots; the ethylene gas apples release
can turn carrots bitter (1-2 months).
Artichokes -Refrigerate (2-3 days).
Asparagus - Store unwashed, standing the stalks upright in an inch of water
and cover them with a plastic bag, or wrap the stem ends in wet paper towel and
seal in a plastic bag (3 days).
Avocados - If not soft, ripen in warm, humid place. Do not refrigerate
unless necessary (until ripe).
Bell Peppers - Refrigerate or store in cool, moist
area (1-2 weeks).
Beets - Cut off greens two inches above crown before storing
them. Place unwashed beets in an airtight container or close plastic bag in
the refrigerator (up to 3 weeks).
Broccoli - Store unwashed in closed plastic
bag (4-5 days).
Cabbage - Refrigerate in closed plastic bag (1-2 weeks).
Carrots
- Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. If your carrots get
limp, you can refresh them by soaking them in ice water for 30 minutes. Don’t
store next to apples, which emit ethylene gas and make carrots bitter (1-2 weeks).
Celery - Store washed in a closed plastic bag. Celery is susceptible to freezing
so don’t store in the back of the refrigerator where it is coolest (1-2 weeks).
Corn - Refrigerate if unable to use immediately. Do not husk until ready to cook.
Garlic - Store whole bulbs in an open container away from heat and light. Individual
cloves that separate from the bulb may only last 1 week (up to 8 weeks).
Leeks
- Keep in an airtight container or closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Don’t
trim them until you are ready to use them (7 days).
Lettuce/Spinach - Keep lettuce in a plastic bag or covered container
with a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture. Refrigerate spinach in plastic
bag (2-5 days).
Mushrooms - Take them out of their package and put them in
a paper bag in your refrigerator (5 days), or place them on shallow tray covered
by a moist paper towel (2-3 days).
Onions - Store uncut onions in a cool,
dry place with good air circulation (1 month). Once onions are cut, wrap them
in plastic and store in the refrigerator (3 days).
Oranges - Room temperature
(3-4 days) or refrigerate (2-3 weeks).
Pears - Ripen at room temperature,
then refrigerate, unwashed (1-2 weeks).
Strawberries - If the berries still
have green "caps" they may taste sour. Discard any bruised berries. Refrigerate,
spread on tray, uncovered. Wash just before serving. Very perishable.
Tomatoes
- Tomatoes lose flavor when stored in the refrigerator. Store them instead
in a cool cupboard. They will keep longer if stored stem side down.
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