Storing Produce

I've been experimenting with how to store vegetables in the refrigerator. I've about doubled the refrigerator life of most produce. There are three secrets.

One is the one everyone knows: Seal it well so it does not lose moisture.

The most important tip is to remove as much air as possible. That means arranging the bag tightly around the produce. For loose produce such as lettuce, gently compress, then seal the bag.

To save time, I pack my produce in the supermarket. When I pick up green onions or celery, I remove a rubber band from the bunch, tuck the produce diagonally into the plastic bag and fold the loose parts tightly around the vegetables. I use the rubber band to seal the bag. It's ready for the cooler.

The third trick applies to lettuce: Remove any mildewed sections as you use it. Romaine lettuce, especially,  shows great storage life is you do this. As you remove and use outer leaves, trim the root to remove anything brown.

Bonus trick for asparagus: When you get home, trim the ends and place in a cup of water (as you would do for cut flowers). Cover with a plastic bag and use a rubber band to secure it in place. Leave a little room at the top so the tips aren't touching plastic, because condensation will keep the tips wet and they will become soft and slimy.

Second bonus: Mushrooms. Place in a paper bag or paper towel, then in a plastic bag.

See: More asparagus tips: (get it? Asparagus tips! I crack me up).