Vegetable Storage Tips

Every year, members have questions about how to store all the vegetables they take home. Please refer to this guide throughout the season to insure you enjoy our produce as long as possible.

LETTUCE AND GREENS: Store unwashed in a plastic bag or in between moist paper towels in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

ARUGULA: Spicy Italian green, toss with lettuce in salad, use in stir-frys or as topping for pizza or pasta dishes. Store in the crisper drawer. Will keep 3-5 days, use fresh.

GREEN BEANS: Store unwashed in plastic bag in fridge. Best used within 3-4 days. Trim ends. For long-term storage freeze or can.

BEETS: Remove tops, greens are excellent in salads. Beets will store a week in the fridge. Use when flesh is still firm. Wash carefully so you don’t break the skin. To use raw, scrub, then grate or slice. For prepared beets, remove skin after cooking (steam, boil or roast).

BROCCOLI: Store in a loose plastic bag in the fridge. Will store 4-6 days. Freezing is best for long-term storage.

CABBAGE: Store unwashed in fridge for 2 weeks.

CARROTS: Remove tops, store in fridge for 5-7 days. Wash just before using. Freezing is the best way to preserve. (Canning is okay, too).

CUCUMBERS: Best used within a few days. Store in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

EGGPLANT: Best used within a few days. Store in the fridge.

MELON: Store uncut melon at 45-55°. Once cut wrap tightly in plastic and refridgerate. Use within a week.

ONIONS: Sweet onions should be used within a week or two. Storage onions should be kept in a dry, cool place. They will store for a month. Scallions and leeks should be rinsed and dried, trim roots and refridgerate. Best used with a week.

PEAS: Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the fridge. Best used within a day or two. For long-term storage - blanch and freeze.

PEPPERS: Store unwashed in the fridge for 5-7 days. For long-term storage slice up and freeze.

POTATO: Store in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. New potatoes should be used within a week but storage varieties can keep for a month or more if stored properly.

PUMPKIN AND WINTER SQUASH: Store unwashed in a cool, dry place. Be careful not to puncture skin.

RADISH AND TURNIPS: Remove tops and refridgerate. Wash just before using.

SUMMER SQUASH: Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer. Wash just before using. Best used within 3-4 days.

TOMATOES: Refridgerate only very ripe tomatoes, otherwise store at room temperature. To ripen store in a paper bag. For long-term storage peel and can or puree and freeze.