BEETS
Store: Cut tops off 2 inches from the root as, wash and pat dry. Store in crisper covered with a damp cloth. The leaves sap moisture from the beet root. Don’t trim the tail. Store leaves in a separate plastic bag and uses within 2 days. Shelf Life: The root bulbs should also be bagged and can be stored in the refrigerator crisper drawer 7 to 10 days.
BROCCOLI
Store: in a plastic bag inside the crisper drawer of the fridge with other foods that are sensitive to ethylene gas. Wrap in a damp cloth and store in bag or a container in crisper or cut and store in an airtight container with a damp towel under the lid. To store, mist the heads, wrap loosely in damp paper towels, and refrigerate. Shelf Life: 3-4 days in the refrigerator
CAULIFLOWER
Store: in their wrapping/packaging and kept in the fridge. Shelf Life: 3-4 days in the refrigerator
CABBAGE
Store: Keep the whole head of cabbage in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or store unwrapped in the crisper. Can also wrap in a damp cloth and store in the fridge. Shelf Life: up to a week or 2 weeks. Loses freshness quickly once chopped so us within a day. If you only need half of a head, place the remaining half in a plastic bag and shake a few drops of water onto the cut side. Close the bag and refrigerate. The cut half should last a few days.
CARROTS
Store: If they have green tops, cut off all but an inch. Wrap them in a damp paper towel, seal in a plastic bag and store in the crisper drawer. Or store in the refrigerator for up to a month – cut off the greens, place in containers with lids and cover completely in water and change the water every 4-5 days. Shelf Life: will keep for several weeks properly stored.
LETTUCES AND LEAFY
Store: Greens thrive in the crisper drawer. Wrap greens in a paper towel or thin cloth towel to help them stay moist but also absorb extra water. Shelf Life: Expect greens to last: 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Treat greens like flowers. Don’t wash or cut, until you’re ready to use them.
ONIONS
Store: in a cool, dry place that has good air circulation. (Store in the fridge if you don’t have such a place.) They need to be stored in a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated area, such as a pantry, drawer, or closet. You can separate them by placing them in paper bags, never plastic ones. Do note store with potatoes! Shelf Life: 2 to 3 months. Chopped or sliced stored in a sealed container last in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
POTATOES
Store: in a cool, dry, dark place that has good air circulation. Do not store with onions. Shelf Life: 2 to 3 months.
TOMATOES
Store: in a cool, dry place stem-side down. Don’t store in plastic bags as trapped ethylene will ripen quickly. Once ripe, place in the fridge to slow the ripening process. Eat at room temperature. Shelf Life: 5-7 days on the counter
ZUCCHINI / SQUASHES
Store: Refrigerate in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Shelf Life: 4 to 5 days or up to 2 days once cooked.