The sustainability continues! We are happily beginning a sustainable series following, the farmer’s market! Spring has just begun in Laramie, so it’s never too early to start thinking about produce! Laramie’s farmer’s market is set to begin on Friday June 24th from 3-7 pm. This series will take a deep dive into individual sustainability at the farmer’s market, such as how to preserve your produce, what recipes to try, and the best types of reusable bags. First thing up! How to preserve your produce and make it last longer.
What are the benefits of preserving produce’s longevity? Well, you’re saving money and the planet! Less rotten produce means less food waste, unless you have compost, then it can become fertilizer. I looked at various online websites, a few books, and even compiled some tips from foodies on Instagram to come up with some major tips on optimal produce storage.
Preserving Produce:
1. Ferment your produce! Fermentation extends produce’s shelf life by a year and adds good bacteria for your gut. What you’ll need: Mason Jars, water, spices of choice, and produce of choice. Use this link for a simple starter recipe: How to Ferment Vegetables - Make Your Own Fermented Vegetables (runningtothekitchen.com)
2. Freeze it! It’s very important to label your food with the storage date and stack your older foods in the front of your freezer. Reusable freezer bags, glass, silicone, or stainless-steel storage containers are great to use. Try freezing your ripe avocados in order to retain their ripeness for up to three months. Freezing Produce: Free Printable Quick Guide - The Country Chic Cottage even has a frozen produce guide!
3. More Freezing Tips:
- Freeze veggies in portion sizes à so you can unfreeze one or two portions at a time
- Freeze ripe veggies because the condition of the produce will remain constant up until about three months
- Try open freezing, the act of freezing individual veggies on a slightly oiled tray for an hour or so and then packaging then in a bag
4. General Tips:
- Store produce loosely and separately in the fridge, compact produce will rot faster
- Tomatoes are stored best upside down on the counter
- Garlic, onions, potatoes, shallots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash should reside in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard
- Do not wash produce immediately, the outer layer on fruit and veggies formed will delay ripening.
5. Fruit Fact! Berries such as raspberries and blueberries will store better coated in sugar before freezing (best to do if you plan on making desserts).
Just try it! Using just a few of these tips and tricks can save you a dollar or two and keep planet Earth looking clean! Less food to go to waste is better for everyone and everything all around. Who knows…you may even make some tasty treats!
References
Brojt, D., 2022. 5 Easy Ways to Preserve Food. [online] goodnet.org. Available at: <https://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-easy-ways-to-preserve-food?msclkid=9adf39f4aec811ec9665370a3bd0d1d1> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
Cain, M., 2022. 5 Easy Ways to Preserve Fresh Produce without Canning. [online] Lovely Greens. Available at: <https://lovelygreens.com/5-easy-ways-to-preserve-fresh-produce-without-canning/#:~:text=%205%20Easy%20Ways%20to%20Preserve%20Fresh%20Produce,that%20can%20be%20easily%20frozen%20for...%20More%20?msclkid=9ade934aaec811ec8690f0f767601cc5> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
foodmatters.com. 2022. 10 Hot Tips for Preserving Fresh Produce. [online] Available at: <https://www.foodmatters.com/article/10-hot-tips-for-preserving-fresh-produce?msclkid=9adef979aec811eca67ed60e4a9e3dd2> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
Holden, A., 2022. Free Printable Guide for Freezing Produce. [online] The Country Chic Cottage. Available at: <https://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/freezing-produce-quick-guide> [Accessed 8 April 2022].