In case you’ve ever stocked your fridge with recent romaine, arugula, and kale solely to seek out luggage of wilted mush a number of days later, we now have information for you: It’s not the vegetation’ fault.
And it’s probably not your fault, both.
You merely must brush up on a number of meals storage ideas. It’s not like spinach comes with an instruction handbook or the produce part affords a course on the right way to retailer greens so that they last more!
If you wish to know the right way to retailer salad greens, all you need to do is some research.
Fortunate for you, we requested a number of registered dietitians the right way to retailer greens so that you could take pleasure in recent, nutrient-packed meals all week lengthy.
They weighed in with greatest practices, worst errors, and their favourite strategies. Learn on to discover ways to retailer greens, from arugula to spinach.
1. In a Sealed Container With a Paper Towel
This technique is particularly efficient for delicate vegetation like spinach, child greens, and salad mixes, says Bri Bell, R.D.
- “Place a small, clear paper towel within the backside of the container to soak up moisture,” Bell says.
- Then pack them loosely to permit airflow and forestall leaves from getting slimy, she provides.
- You can too add a dry paper towel to the resealable bag or carton your greens got here in.
- Place the sealed container within the coolest a part of your fridge (sometimes within the crisper or close to the again of your fridge.)
- Earlier than consuming, wash the greens totally and dry them in a salad spinner.
2. Sealed With a Meals Saver Sheet
In case you’re searching for an eco-friendly technique for storing leafy greens, Summer season Xmas, M.S., R.D.N, recommends paper meals saver sheets, obtainable on-line or at kitchen provide shops.
“Meals saver sheets serve the identical function as paper towels, however they can be utilized a number of occasions,” she says. “They assist to soak up the moisture that may result in early spoilage.”
Need to eradicate plastic fully?
“Putting leafy greens in a resealable cotton bag or a glass container is a superb, environmentally pleasant technique to successfully retailer greens to protect their freshness,” says Bansari Acharya, RDN.
3. Within the Freezer
In case you are likely to get just a little carried away on the farmers market, this tip is for you. Freezing is an effective way to retailer further leafy greens for future use, says Gabrielle Tafur, M.S., R.D., LN.
“I add frozen greens to my pasta sauces, smoothies, dips, and even mashed potatoes,” she says. “They can be an incredible filler for burgers or meatballs in case you are attempting to extend the dietary worth.”
Tafur washes and dries all her greens and removes stems from more durable produce like kale or collard greens earlier than stashing them in a plastic bag or container. (Go forward and compost any leaves which have seen higher days.)
4. In a Jar of Water
Similar to recent herbs, hearty greens like kale, collard greens, and Swiss chard will be saved in a jar of water within the fridge.
“Wash the greens, then minimize the ends of the stems off and place vertically in a jar of water, equally to how you’d place a bouquet of flowers in a vase,” says Bell.
This technique for storing leafy greens, whereas easy and clever, just isn’t notably space-efficient. It could not work for small or crowded fridges.
5. Within the Crisper
Don’t be tempted to shove all of your produce within the crisper and hope for the very best. “This can be a dangerous thought as a result of some fruits will emit ethylene gasoline, which expedites spoilage of many greens,” says Kristin Gillespie, M.S., R.D., LD.
Some dangerous bedfellows embrace apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, honeydew, and cantaloupe, as they produce excessive ranges of ethylene.
As a substitute, retailer greens alongside ethylene-sensitive meals like carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, raspberries, and strawberries, Gillespie says.
