Creative Cooking Tips- Storage of Fruits and Vegetables

Cooking Tips
Storage Pointers

[ Pantry Storage ] [ Refrigerator & Freezer Storage ]

[ Fresh Fruit Storage ] [ Fresh Vegetable Storage ]

Fresh Fruit Storage
How to Store / Maximum storage time . . .

Apples

Refrigerate or store in cool, dry area. (1-2 months)

Avocados

If not soft, ripen in warm, humid place. Do not refrigerate unless necessary. (2-3 days)

Bananas

Ripen at room temperature. May be refrigerated after ripening. (2-3 days)

Berries

Discard any bruised berries. Refrigerate, spread on tray, uncovered. Wash just before using. Very perishable.

Citrus Fruit

Room temperature (3-4 days) or refrigerate (2-3 weeks).

Cranberries

Refrigerate (2-3 weeks) or freeze in original package (8-12 months). do not rinse until ready to use. Use frozen cranberries unthawed.

Grapes

Refrigerate in perforated bag. (1-2 weeks.)

Melons

Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate, wrapped. (Blossom end smells sweet when ripe.) 7-8 days.

Peaches

Ripen at room temperature; then refrigerate, unwashed. (1-2 weeks)

Pears

Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate. (2 weeks)

Pineapple

Do not refrigerate unless necessary to prevent over-ripening. Perishable.

Plums

Refrigerate. (1-2 weeks)

[ Storage | Cooking Tips | Back to Top | Creative Cooking ]

Fresh Vegetable Storage
How to Store / Maximum storage time . . .

Artichokes

Refrigerate. (2-3 days)

Asparagus

Refrigerate, unwashed, in plastic bag. (1-2 days)

Beans, lima

Refrigerate, in plastic bag. (2 days)

Beans, snap

Refrigerate, in plastic bag. (2-3 days)

Beets

Cut off tops 2 inches above crown. Refrigerate, in plastic bag. (3-4 days)

Broccoli

Refrigerate, in closed plastic bag. (4-5 days)

Brussel Sprouts

Trim damaged leaves. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. (3-4 days)

Cabbage

Refrigerate in closed plastic bag (1-2 weeks)

Carrots

Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. (1-2 weeks)

Cauliflower

Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. (2 days)

Celery

Wash, refrigerate in closed plastic bag. (1-2 weeks)

Corn

Refrigerate if unable to use immediately. Do not husk until ready to cook.

Lettuce

Wash, drain, refrigerate in closed plastic bag lined with paper towel.

Mushrooms

Refrigerate on shallow tray covered by moist paper towel. (2-3 days)

Okra

Cool, moist area or refrigerate.

Onions (all kinds)

Keep dry. Refrigerate or store in pantry. (1-2 months)

Parsnip

Refrigerate in plastic bag. (1-2 weeks)

Peas

Refrigerate unshelled. (1-2 days)

Peppers

Refrigerate or store in cool, moist area. (1-2 weeks)

Potatoes, sweet

Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry and dark. Very perishable.

Potatoes, white

Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry and dark.

Spinach

Refrigerate in plastic bag. (1-2 days)

Squash, summer

Refrigerate in plastic bag. (7-8 days)

Squash, winter

Keep cool and dry in pantry. If cut, refrigerate in plastic bag.

Tomatoes

Store at room temperature (stem end down) until ripe. Then refrigerate.

Turnips

Remove tops. Refrigerate in plastic bag or store in cool pantry.

[ Storage | Cooking Tips | Back to Top | Creative Cooking ]