With the high price of groceries today, we need to store fruit, vegetables and condiments so they last longer and we stop throwing them away. Check out some of the best ways to do this below.
CUCUMBERS: Store in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator at 50ºF – 54ºF with about 90% – 95% humidity. If they are kept below 50ºF for more than 2-3 days they will start to decay. Shrink wrapped cucumbers last longer but if you don’t have shrink wrap available, store them wrapped in a paper towel, in a plastic bag, unpeeled and unwashed.
ZUCCHINI & SUMMER SQUASH: Store in a cool dark place or for a short time in the refrigerator. They need ventilation so don’t seal them in a plastic bag. Store them in your crisper drawer, unwashed until you are ready to use them. For best quality and taste use within one week.
STRAWBERRIES: Store unwashed in the refrigerator at 32ºF to 34ºF in their original container and in the crisper drawer for up to five days. Keep them dry and don’t wash or cut them until you are ready to eat them.
HEAD LETTUCE: Avoid washing head lettuce when you get home and keep it whole until you are ready to use it. Store it in the crisper drawer with high humidity in its original wrapper.
MUSTARD: If your mustard has not been opened yet, store it at room temperature away from light. If your mustard has been opened, store it in the refrigerator. Make sure you put it back in the refrigerator as soon as you finish using it as the higher temperature and light will cause it to lose flavor faster. Stored open in the refrigerator it should last about a year.
SRIRACHA: Sriracha does not need to be refrigerated once it is open. But do store it in a cool dry place.
RASPBERRIES: Refrigerate your raspberries as soon as you bring them home. Keep them as dry as possible and don’t wash them until you are ready to eat them or they may get moldy.
CELERY: Remove your celery from the store plastic wrapping. Wrap the celery tightly in a sheet of foil so the moisture won’t escape and refrigerate in the crisper drawer.
LEMONS: Place the lemons in a sealed bag in the crisper drawer, they should last 3-4 weeks there. Cut lemons should also be stored in a sealed bag or airtight container in the refrigerator.
WATERMELON: The best way to keep a watermelon fresh is by keeping the rind on as its wrapper. It is best to cut a slice from the watermelon when you are ready to eat some as this keeps the fruit inside fresh longer by maintaining its moisture barrier. If you prefer to cut the watermelon into cubes, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for 3-4 days that way.
Source: http://www.simplyrecipes.com