I love fresh fruits and vegetables, who doesn't? In Nairobi fruits season is always around throughout the year. Except for vegetables which are literally available all year around, there are some fruits that come seasonaly. For us fruits that are always in season all year long include Bananas, Oranges, Lemons among others. There are seasonal fruits that include Avocados, Plums, Pears, Mangoes among others. It is always advisable to buy fruits and vegetables in bulk so that you avoid searching for them every single day. As much as you would like to buy bulk vegetables and fruits, you need to know how to store them. This is to avoid them going to waste as they are perishables. Most fruits and vegetables do not need to be refrigerated to preserve freshness. Still both Fruits and vegetables can be frozen and will keep for months. Frozen fruits are usually used in making smoothies to avoid watering it down with ice cubes. If you want to store fruits or vegetables that will not be in season, you can pickle them or even dry them. Here are a few tips on storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator
Keep your produce as fresh as possible with these guidelines* for storing fruits and vegetables.
Leave refrigerated produce unwashed in its original packaging or wrapped loosely in a plastic bag. (Exceptions, such as mushrooms and herbs, are noted below.) If your greens seem sandy or dirty—think lettuce from the farmers’ market—rinse and dry them well, then wrap them in a paper towel before placing in a plastic bag. Fruits and vegetables stored at room temperature should be removed from any packaging and left loose. The guidelines below assume that your produce is ripe and ready to eat. Some items, like apricots and avocados, will ripen faster in a paper bag on the countertop (see below). The bag traps ethylene gas, which is released by the produce and acts as a maturing agent. Want to speed the process up even more? Put an apple in the bag, too.
Alfalfa sprouts
Refrigerator: 3 days
Apples
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Apricots
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft and fragrant.
Artichokes
Refrigerator: 1 week
Arugula, bagged and in clamshells
Refrigerator: No matter how fresh the leaves look, follow the expiration date on the package, since bacteria can develop.
Arugula, bunch
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: If the bunch has roots, wrap it in a damp paper towel before bagging.
Asparagus
Refrigerator: 3 days
Tip: Trim the ends before wrapping the spears in a damp paper towel, then in a plastic bag.
Avocados
Refrigerator: 3 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft.
Bananas
Countertop: 5 days
Tip: Ripe bananas can be frozen for baking (the skins will blacken, but the flesh will be fine).
Beets
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Tip: Separate the leaves from the roots before storing them separately in a plastic bag; the leaves will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Bell peppers
Refrigerator: 1 week (green); 5 days (red, yellow, and orange)
Blackberries
Refrigerator: 2 days (spread in a single layer on a paper towel–lined plate)
Tip: Discard damaged or moldy berries before storing to prevent the spread of mold.
Blueberries
Refrigerator: 1 week
Tip: Discard damaged or moldy berries before storing to prevent the spread of mold.
Bok choy
Refrigerator: 3 days
Broccoli
Refrigerator: 1 week
Broccoli rabe
Refrigerator: 1 week
Brussels sprouts
Refrigerator: 1 week
Cabbage, green and red
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Cabbage, savoy and napa
Refrigerator: 1 week
Cantaloupe
Refrigerator: 5 days (whole); 3 days (cut)
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag. Before slicing the melon, wash the rind thoroughly to prevent the transmission of bacteria.
Carrots
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Cauliflower
Refrigerator: 1 week
Celery
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Chard
Such as Swiss and rainbow
Refrigerator: 3 days
Cherries
Refrigerator: 3 days (in an open bag or bowl)
Chili peppers, fresh
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Note: Dried chili peppers will keep for 4 months in an airtight container.
Clementines
Refrigerator: 5 days
Collard greens
Refrigerator: 5 days
Corn, unshucked
Refrigerator: Best on the first day; 3 days are possible.
Cranberries
Refrigerator: 1 month
Cucumbers
Refrigerator: 5 days
Eggplant
Refrigerator: 5 days
Endive
Refrigerator: 5 days
Escarole
Refrigerator: 3 days
