| Vegetable |
Look for vegetables that are...
|
How to Store/Maximum storage time
|
| Artichokes |
Compact, plump, heavy globes with tight, fleshy scales and good green color. |
Refrigerate, 2-3 days. |
| Asparagus |
Tender, bright green, compact tips. |
Refrigerate, unwashed, in plastic bag. 1-2 days. |
| Beans, Lima |
Well-filled, crisp, dark green pods. |
Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 2 days. |
| Beans, snap |
Firm and crisp pods that snap easily. |
Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 2-3 days. |
| Beets |
Medium size, smooth and blemish-free with no soft spots. |
Cut off tops 2 inches above crown. Refrigerate, in plastic bag. 3-4 days. |
| Broccoli |
Compact and green clusters with no show of yellow flowers. |
Refrigerate, in closed plastic bag. 4-5 days. |
| Brussel Sprouts |
Firm, compact and bright green with no signs of worms or lice damage. |
Trim damaged leaves. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 3-4 days. |
| Cabbage |
Solid, hard, and heavy for size. |
Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Carrots |
Firm, clean, of good shape and color. |
Remove tops, wash. Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Cauliflower |
Heavy and compact with clean, white color and no smudgy spots indicating lice. |
Refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 2 days. |
| Celery |
Crisp; clean, of medium length with fresh looking leaves. |
Wash, refrigerate in closed plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Corn |
Fresh green husks and cobs filled with milky kernels. |
Refrigerate if unable to use immediately. Do not husk until ready to cook. |
| Lettuce |
Clean, crisp, tender, free from brown areas. |
Wash, drain, refrigerate in closed plastic bag lined with paper towel. |
| Mushrooms |
Young, plump, small to medium, clean, white, with closed caps. |
Refrigerate on shallow tray covered by moist paper towel. 2-3 days. |
| Okra |
Tender, fresh, small to medium pods that snap easily. |
Cool, moist area or refrigerate. |
| Onions (all kinds) |
Firm, well shaped with dry skins and no sign of sprouting. |
Keep dry. Refrigerate or store in pantry. 1-2 months. |
| Parsnip |
Smooth, well shaped, small to medium size |
Refrigerate in plastic bag. 1-2 weeks. |
| Peas |
Young, tender pods with bright green color. |
Refrigerate unshelled. 1-2 days. |
| Peppers |
Mature, firm, well shaped of bright green and/or red color. |
Refrigerate or store in cool, moist area. 1-2 weeks. |
| Potatoes, sweet |
Smooth, firm and bright yellow (sweet potatoes) or reddish orange (yams). |
Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry arid dark. Very perishable. |
| Potatoes, white |
Reasonably smooth and clean with no signs of green or sprouting. |
Do not refrigerate. Keep cool, dry and dark… |
| Spinach |
Crisp, crinkly, and un-bruised with good green color and no spindly or overgrown stalks. |
Refrigerate in plastic bag. 1-2 days. |
| Squash, summer |
Firm and heavy for size with tender rind. |
Refrigerate in plastic bag. 7-8 days |
| Squash, winter |
Mature and heavy for size with hard, dry rind. |
Keep cool and dry in pantry. If cut, refrigerate in plastic bag. |
| Tomatoes |
Firm and of good color but not over ripe. |
Store at room temperature (stem end down) until ripe. Then refrigerate. |
| Turnips |
Firm, smooth of medium size with few fibrous roots. |
Remove tops. Refrigerate in plastic bag or store in cool pantry. |
