Vegetables are nutritionally rich and flavoursome foods that help to provide our bodies with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong. The body requires a diversity of vegetables in their diet for the composition. Factors may be different in each case, but it is really not only about buying them, its also all about selecting and storing vegetables for greater shelf life. You can extend the life and freshness of your veggies to give you more time enjoy their great taste. Check out our pro tips below to help you keep edible veg once harvested longer!
How to Choose Fresh Produce at the Store
When you go shopping & looking forward to buy vegetables, scrutinize them carefully. Begin with How They Look Opt for richly colored vegetables that are firm and crisp to the touch, with foliage creating a rustling sound when touched. These are indicators of its freshness and readiness to be eaten. The wilting, brown spots or soft appearance of vegetables are signs that they have not been recently started yet ultimately you will feel it in its taste so just refrain yourself from purchasing the unblossomed greens. So now for the last time you to check the bags or containers with damage and as well filled of mustiness before go-ahead purchase.
Another way to purchase fresh veg is purchasing in season. Vegetables tend to be fresher and cheaper when they are in season. This means if it's summer you get tons of fresh, juicy tomatoes and sweet corn; in the fall there are so many kinds of squashes as well as root veggies (carrots! potatoes!) Seasonal vegetables are abundant throughout the year so buy veggies that are in season if you want to eat high-quality produce.
How You Store Your Vegetables May Keep Them from Going Bad
When you get your veggies home from the shop they need to be stored correctly in order for them to last longer. Vegetable StorageThe types of vegetables have different storage needs, and knowledge is key.
Leafy green veggies such as lettuce and spinach should be stored in the plastic bag inside your fridge. Opt for the colour that you love and this way they will keep fresh and not have wilted. In contrast, root vegetables such as carrots or beets can be stored in a cold, dark location like your pantry/cupboard. Remove the tops or greens before you store them in order to prolong freshness.
Problem Vegetables and How to Find the Good Ones
Most veggies are healthy and provide us with numerous health benefits but as we all know - there is always the dark side (kidding...)! For instance, canned vegetables generally have a lot of salt as well as preservatives which is unhealthy for you. If you opt for veg, make sure to choose frozen ones without added salt or sauce.
To get top notch vegetables, check for these: firm (not wilted), brightly colored; and free of bruises or blemishes. If you see that they are beginning to spoil, for example mold or slimy spots on the items…. They should be avoided altogether. Picking the right veggies mean you are eating some excellent food, that tastes good and is also good or you.
Temperature and Humidity for Vegetable Freshness
The temperature and relative humidity of the area where you keep your veggies can too play a large role in how long they last. The vast majority of the vegetables likes a cool setting(though not as well chilly) in addition to high moistness so they can keep fresh for more. If your fridge is warmer, then it can cause vegetables to spoil quicker than you might prefer. If your vegetables become a too dry they can cryogenically wilt.
Adding a small amount of water or even just putting in a damp cloth on the bottom shelf of your vegetable drawer can help you control humidity better. This is a smart little trick that can leave the air around your veggies just damp enough to keep them from drying out, and it really does work wonders. Creating the perfect climate for your veggies is an easy way to help them stay fresher longer, so read this.
Simple Methods Of Preserving Vegetables For Long-term
Here are some simple sustainable storage options to save your veggies for more extended periods. One way to satisfy this - canning vegetables, or preserving them in jars from which the air was removed by a vacuum seal. That way you get to enjoy those favorite vegetables even when they are not in season anymore. You can also ferment vegetables, which is the process of using salt and water to create a brine that helps preserve them. Fermentation, too adds some interesting tastes to your veggies.
Freezing your veggies is another simple option if you are not up to doing anything too fancy. The vast majority of veggies - especially nutrient-rich greens like kale and spinach, root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, part-time roots (we're looking at you celery) onions/leeks/scallions etc. can all be blanched quickly in some boiling water or steam for a few minutes and then are ready to freeze! Excellent for all the fresh vegetables you could find in the summer! Freezing them allows you to enjoy their taste and nutritional benefits throughout the rest of winter.
Therefore, the selection and ripening of fresh vegetables is one strategy to increase their longevity while also preserving nutrient density. Just a few helpful hints and tricks you can use to get out all the goodness from your vegetables. That is why the next time you choose to buy some veggies, be sure they are fresh and top quality but pay attention as well on where and how providing results by keeping them fresher for longer.