Plastic Free July - How to Store Produce

I'm still learning how to store produce in my fridge properly and in an eco-friendly manner. Sometimes I can get over eager to buy all the greens without putting together an idea of how to store them! So here are some ideas to start trying to push your kitchen in an eco-friendly direction.

How to Store Veggies

Leafy Greens - arugula, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, kale

Many delicate leafy greens have a propensity to wilt relatively quickly. So to keep them from spoiling before you get to them, here are some tips I've found to keep them lasting longer and staying crisp in my fridge:

To start I remove the elastics or ties holding them together, then I rinse them thoroughly, and dry them well. Try not to use a salad spinner because sometimes it can damage your more delicate leaves like spinach. To reduce premature rotting or wilting gently shake them dry, pat them lightly or leave them out to dry on a towel.

Not only does washing clean off any dirt that travels along its way to you it also locks in moisture and rehydrates your greens to help them stay crisp and wilt free for when you store them.

Option 1. Wrap them in a cloth, tea towel or cotton bag. Give your greens some breathing room by loosely placing them inside a towel. If I know they are more wilt susceptible I'll put them wrapped up in a glass container, and place in the coolest part of my fridge. This is a good way to keep them fresh and ready for use when the time comes!

P.S. Kale is a hardier green that I love, it will stay crisp and full longer when placed in a cup of water in the fridge! A beautiful bouquet of kale waiting to be used in your fridge! Try it for yourself!

Option 2. If you want to extend your greens life consider freezing them.

Here’s how you can start:

Blanche your greens by boiling water and placing the greens inside.

New to blanching? Blanching is a way to cook something usually a veggie or fruit in boiling water. It is then removed after a brief time in boiling water, and plunged into cold or ice water to stop the cooking process. Blanching helps reduce quality loss of your fruit or veggie. It's a fun technique to know in the kitchen!

1. Boil for less than 30 - 40 seconds and add them to cold water or a bowl of ice. (Cold water shocks them into staying crisp instead of wilting)

2. Dry your greens. Pat with a towel if needed.

3. Roll them tightly in a beeswax wrap and put them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.

4. When they are finally frozen transfer them to a reusable food storage container or bag and leave them in the freezer for your future use!

How to store Herbs

Basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley

Wash them thoroughly and dry. If they are freshly cut, place them in a jar or cup of water in the fridge. They will stay crisp for an extended period of time. If you find they are wilting, replace the water if it is dirty looking and pull out any that aren't fresh any more. Sometimes they need to breathe!

I'm always learning about how to better store my leafy greens, so if anyone else has any better ways to store them let me know!

Stay tuned for my how to store root veggies next! Visit my previous post on how to start your own eco friendly journey!

-Wellness Wonder Woman