A produce tip that will save you money...

[sheridan15926]

An internet friend gave me this tip last year, and it is the best food related tip I've ever gotten.

If you use bagged salad/greens, take them out of the original bag/packaging they came in, and put them in a 1 or 2 gallon ziploc baggie. But, also put a dry folded paper towel inside the baggie, and zip it up tight. The paper towel will absorb moisture, and your bagged salad (lettuce, spinach, whatever) will last a LOT longer. I was having to throw out bagged salad a lot until I started using this tip. It really does help it stay fresh MUCH longer. You need to change the paper towel at least every other day. This also works well for bagged broccolli, BTW.

[creditcardfree]

Thanks! That is a great tip that seems like it would work. How much longer do you think it lasts?

[penny-pinchers-usa]

Thanks for the tip. Also, if you are a banana lover, some grocery stores sell over-ripe bunches in a bag for $1. Great for bread makers or any use that will use the bananas VERY SOON.

[GREENBACK]

Great tip. I'm sure most people have had this problem.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

To save strawberries longer, put them in a collander --or better, drained shallow tray-- that will lift them off of the surface. Often the trays supermarkets sell them in will work well. The put the collander/tray into a loosely closed bag. At the bottom of the bag, making sure there is no contact with the berries, put a damp clean kitchen towel. Refrigerate. Strawberries need air circulation, somewhat moist air, but zero contact with water so do this without first washing the berries. This will give an extra day or two.

For apples, again use a loosely closed plastic bag (perforated bags 3 lbs and more are sold in work just fine) with a damp cloth placed in the center of the apples. Refrigerate. Apples do not mind the contact with the damp cloth and putting it in the center keeps moisture more evenly distributed. Re-dampen the cloth every few days. I personally have kept home harvested apples five months this way.

[sheridan15926]

Originally Posted by creditcardfree

Thanks! That is a great tip that seems like it would work. How much longer do you think it lasts?

Before I started using this "tip", bagged lettuce would have to be tossed within three days of opening. Now that I use the method above, I am able to use the greens for a week to a week and a half after opening.

[sheridan15926]

Originally Posted by penny-pinchers-usa

Thanks for the tip. Also, if you are a banana lover, some grocery stores sell over-ripe bunches in a bag for $1. Great for bread makers or any use that will use the bananas VERY SOON.

You can also put those overripe bananas in the freezer. The peel turns black (and looks disgusting), but once the banana thaws out, it is perfectly fine to use for banana bread.

[whitestripe]

Originally Posted by sheridan15926

You can also put those overripe bananas in the freezer. The peel turns black (and looks disgusting), but once the banana thaws out, it is perfectly fine to use for banana bread.

you can also just peel them before you put them in the freezer.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by sheridan15926

You can also put those overripe bananas in the freezer. The peel turns black (and looks disgusting), but once the banana thaws out, it is perfectly fine to use for banana bread.

We always keep bananas in the freezer to use for smoothies.

[rob62521]

Something I have found that helps with keeping celery fresh is wrapping it in foil before putting it in the fridge. It seems to give it a few more days shelf life.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by rob62521

Something I have found that helps with keeping celery fresh is wrapping it in foil before putting it in the fridge. It seems to give it a few more days shelf life.

My wife cuts up the celery and keeps it in a Tupperware container in water. I don't eat raw celery but she says it keeps very well that way.

[sheridan15926]

Same here Disneysteve...my kids love to munch on raw carrots and celery, and we keep them in a big tupperware in the fridge covered with water. I just have to remind myself to switch out the water every couple of days.

[jimstolz76]

Check this site. Can save you TONS of food and money.

www.stilltasty.com

[momto8kiddos]

if you want your bananas to ripen more slowly than usual, place them in a plastic bag and seal. We go through a lot of bananas in our household - 2 bunches a week. I buy one bunch yellow and one bunch greneish. So I put the greenish one in a plastic bag and seal it after I go grocery shopping. That way when we have finished the first bunch the second bunch is just about ready.

Laurie

[BillK]

Cool thread. I am going downstairs right now and am going to take care of the lettuce. Wanted BLT at lunch and lettuce was not good from last Thursday. We have a lot of tomatoes in the house now since temps hit in 20's yesterday.

[donlat3]

Awesome tip!

Thanks for this. This is one of my biggest problems. Keeps me from eating healthy.

[Miss Curly]

This idea works well for heads of lettuce too , which is generally cheaper per pound and can save money IF you have the discipline to get it ready yourself when it comes home. From romaine, red or green leaf, just chop of the bottom, fill a clean sink with water enough to cover the lettuce and swish it around. Finish putting your other groceries away. Generally the dirt will fall to the bottom of the sink with time. If you have a salad spinner, give the leaves a spin to remove excess water, otherwise, put it in a colandar and let that drain for a bit. Wrap the whole bunch in a damp paper towel and put it back into the plastic bag. Beware that everything is just DAMP and not wet or your lettuce will get slimey. You can also chop some up for ready made salad.

Also, I have found that if you buy a lot of produce, the Freshvac products work very well. We eat LOTS of fruits and veggies and these specialty food storage containers have helped. They also help us eat more veggies too, since they are on display on my shelves rather than molding in the drawers.