FARM FRESH TIPS

Opioid crisis requires a multi-pronged effort

June 1, 2018

Joie ‘de Vivre

June 1, 2018

Farmer’s Markets are gaining in popularity around our communities with four or more markets popping up each and every week. Local farmers are bringing delicious vegetables and fruits directly from the garden Id your shopping bag. But what do you do if you buy a few great things on a Tuesday that need to make it to the weekend? Keep those farmer’s markets finds looking great and tasting fresh with these few helpful tips:

Berries: Flesh berries such as strawberries or raspberries are best when eaten fresh. But the best way to stare them for a few days is to place them unwashed in a mason jar with an airtight lid and store it in the refrigerator.

Fresh herbs: Treat them like fresh cut flowers! You can place fresh barbs on your counter in a glass of water.

Lettuce or spinach: A quick cold water bath can help perk up wilted leaves before placing the tender greens into a perforated zip top storage bag and store in the refrigerator. Another tip some people have tried successfully is to layer a few leaves cm a paper towel, top with another paper towel and repeat until the entre head of lettuce is between sheets of paper towel Place this into a perforated zip top storage bag and stare in the refrigerator.

Tomatoes: Leave the beautiful red symbols of summer on the countertop, please! Tomatoes do not go into the refrigerator. Side note: potatoes, onions, garlic and squash doesn’t need to be refrigerated either.

Peaches and Plums: Stone fruits should be left on the countertop as well. If they happen to ripen quickly, you can get another day or so by placing them in the refrigerator.

Apples: Always keep apples separate from other foods. Apples give off ethylene gas mat can cause other foods to rot quickly.

Green onions: You can store these like a flower bouquet as well! They might even continue growing on your counter; just snip from the top down as needed.

Looting for a Farmer’s Market?