Budget buster - spoiled fruits & veggies

[Tiger926]

We stopped buying pretty much most fresh fruit and veggies, and went to frozen as we were tired of spoilage. But, this summer, we started to fill the fridge with lots of fruit and veggies, and things have improved a bit. There are only 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 kids. We don't eat tons of fruits/veggies, but we eat them with at least all 3 meals, so we aren't buying huge quantities. But, we have been buying bigger bags at Costco of certain items, as the price is better than our local markets (but only on certain items).

Bought some great containers, that are helping in keeping the fruits & veggies longer, yeah! Still having trouble with the following:

1) Potatoes - just had to throw out at least 12 lbs of potatoes as they spoiled in bag (bugs, etc.). It was disgusting! We bought a huge bag of russets at Costco, as we like to make homemade chips, fries and mashed potatoes. Not even 2 weeks old, and stored in bag under cupboard - cool and dry. Didn't check the bag when got home (told hubby too), and so perhaps spoiled potatoes were in there?

2) Carrots/celery - we cut up carrots and celery and place in water in fridge in a container, and eat from them all week. But extra ones are in stored in downstairs fridge, in one of those containers, and we are still having some problems. How to store the extras until we need them?

3) Grapes - no matter what I do, grapes still get mold or fuzz? I stopped washing them, before putting in fridge, as extra water contributes to this. So, even with placing in container, and washing out the extra condensation daily with a paper towel, my grapes are still a problem. How long do your grapes last for in the fridge?

How do you store these fruits/veggies? How long should these fruits/veggies last in the fridge? Any help would be appreciated, Tiger

 

[SandrA9810]

My suggestion for the Potatoes. Is either ask for a paper bag at check out, and store them in the paper bag rather than the plastic. Or buy a potato sack to store them in. I did read online not to wash potatoes prior to storing.
I usually wind up with 1 or 2 bad potatoes that make the whole bag smell awful, but after cleaning them up, and throwing the bad ones out, the good ones still taste fine. I do buy mine at the Farmer's Market. Some people pre-bag them and others let you pick and choose. The pre-bagged ones give me the most trouble.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I put my potatos in the refrigerator and they last an extremely long time, and there is just two of us.

 

[Tiger926]

My suggestion for the Potatoes. Is either ask for a paper bag at check out, and store them in the paper bag rather than the plastic. Or buy a potato sack to store them in. I did read online not to wash potatoes prior to storing.
I usually wind up with 1 or 2 bad potatoes that make the whole bag smell awful, but after cleaning them up, and throwing the bad ones out, the good ones still taste fine. I do buy mine at the Farmer's Market. Some people pre-bag them and others let you pick and choose. The pre-bagged ones give me the most trouble.

I did just read about paper bags for the potatoes - most of them come in paper bags, and then we just realized that these ones from Costo, were in a plastic bag. Oy! I think that probably made them sweat, and thus the spoilage. We didn't wash them before, although they were washed from the farm, as it's advertised on front of bag. I think we need to examine all of them when we bring them home, and throw out bad ones right away. I've never seen a potato sack before. What is it? Thanks for this tip!

I put my potatos in the refrigerator and they last an extremely long time, and there is just two of us.

I have read on many websites not to store in fridge. Hmmm? This is interesting. I might try a small batch in the fridge, and see what happens, as we've never done that before.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Madison'smommy]

I did just read about paper bags for the potatoes - most of them come in paper bags, and then we just realized that these ones from Costo, were in a plastic bag. Oy! I think that probably made them sweat, and thus the spoilage. We didn't wash them before, although they were washed from the farm, as it's advertised on front of bag. I think we need to examine all of them when we bring them home, and throw out bad ones right away. I've never seen a potato sack before. What is it? Thanks for this tip!



I have read on many websites not to store in fridge. Hmmm? This is interesting. I might try a small batch in the fridge, and see what happens, as we've never done that before.

Thanks, Tiger

I also keep mine in the fridge. I havent had any problems.

 

[kathie859]

How to store: Store potatoes in a cool, dark place with ventilation and they will keep for weeks. Do NOT store them in the refridgerator or they will turn brown and have develop a strange flavor. Aim for 45-50 degrees F, warmer and the potatoes will sprout and shrivel. Light causes potatoes to turn green, which imparts a bitter taste. You can store an apple with a potato to help prevent it from sprouting.

I found this online. I usually keep mine in a dark cabinet with plenty of ventilation--NOT in the plastic that the potatoes may come in. I thought the apple thingie was interesting

 

[Chelley00]

The best investment I have ever made was buying Rubbermaid Produce Savers. They have a draining disk that keeps the moisture off the produce, and air vents in the lids. I can keep produce so much longer now.

 

[bookgirl]

For most of my stuff I use those "green bags" that you buy at Bed Bath and Beyond. They work really well. I also tend to wash my veggies and fruits, if I do then I let them air dry a while and in the bag I put a paper towel to wick the moisture. I change it every day or every other day. Seems to work for us, though we do lose some if it gets pushed back to the back of the drawers and is found two weeks later LOL.

We however have trouble with bananas, we buy them mostly green (as I only like them when they are still very firm) then they get all the way ripe and I won't eat them but my step dad will, once they start to get softer. However sometimes he does not eat them fast enough or they go ripe too soon and then I won't eat them and there are two many for him to eat. I try to freeze some for smoothies but it gets away from us often.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks for the other responses!

Containers - We got some great containers www.kinetic-cookware.com that are working out very well. We are seeing a big difference already!

Paper towels - I started doing this a few weeks ago, and it's paying off. Just checked the carrots and celery after I posted, and they were awesome. The paper towel got rid of the extra moisture, and so they are doing well. I did this with grapes and strawberries this week too, but that didn't work out so well. Grapes and strawberries seem to be more sensitive.

Potatoes - I am thoroughly confused, as everything I have read, says to keep out of fridge. I will take out of any plastic bags, and this should help. Plus, we will examine all of them, and throw out bad ones right away, so as not to spoil the whole bag.

Thanks so much, Tiger

 

[ready123go]

Regarding grapes: I pick through my grapes, rinse them, let them drain and then store them on a piece or two of dry, folded paper towel in a plain Glad (or Ziploc) storage container (the cheap kind) and put the same thing - a dry, folded paper towel - on top. The towel helps absorb excess moisture, and holds enough moisture so that stuff doesn't dry out. They last a week+. I use the same technique for mushrooms. I rinse them really well, using the dull side of a knife blade to gently scrape the 'dirt' off under running water, trim the stems and slice or chop them. I have never had a problem. . If the mushrooms are white and unblemished and the cap is still closed and tight to the stem, it will work. If they are starting to 'bloom' or open - no way. Long, long ago in a land far, far away, I used to work in food service and this was the technique (for mushrooms) that was used there.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I keep potatoes in an open container of playground sand in a cool dark closet/pantry. They last a really long time. (I learned this from Alton Brown on tv).

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I put my potatos in the refrigerator and they last an extremely long time, and there is just two of us.

Same here, but there are 2 kids 2 adults. I have never experienced any strange flavor as another post had mentioned. I have never heard you should not. Once we bought some and forgot to put them in and they went bad pretty quick.

ready123go I will have to try that tip with the grapes. I am having the same problems with the grapes as the OP.

 

[eroilersgal]

Tupperware also makes containers that are great for produce, similar to Rubbermaid. Tupperware has vents on one end and you open or close them depending on what you are storing. They are pricey (most of mine came from garage sales) but have saved me a ton of money in keeping my produce fresh. I do daycare and also have 2 adults and 2 kids in my own family so buying large quantities is necessary.

BTW, as I type I am eating grapes that I bought, washed, and stored in one last week - still good!!

 

[yoopermom]

Although I only "staple shop" every two weeks, I've broken down and gone to buying fruit/veg in smaller quantities at least weekly (and sometimes 2X/wk if they're getting eaten). I figure it's better than having to throw it out, and I do drive right past a grocery store on the way to work.

And the sand idea for the potatoes is too cool!

Terri

 

[NVDisMom]

We store potatoes in our pantry. Its dark and cool. On the rare occasion we don't work through the entire bag before they begin to shrivel and sprout, I will take the time to dice and freeze for later use. Carrots and celery we keep in the fridge (not washed or cut up) and they last forever. Maybe cut up only what you will use every three days or so? Fruit (except berries) I leave on the counter in a bowl so that is the first food everyone sees. Again, if it doesn't get eaten, at the first sign I will slice and freeze for baking or smoothies (this includes berries). Grapes, especially red, are very good frozen and make a great ice pack for lunches. They are still good when they thaw.

 

[wide awake]

Do not put potatoes in the refrigerator. The starch turns to sugar, so gross. My mom always used to do this, I complained, she said it was fine...lo and behold, reading a book on Julia Child...she was out to dinner, ordered a baked potato, she took one bite and spit it out. She knew it had been kept in the frig.
My son and husband aren't much on potatoes. I don't buy more than 2 lbs at a time, keep them in a cool dark place.

 

[beansmom]

it's true about the potatoes, the starch does turn right to sugar and alters the flavor.

as for the celery, wrap it in a paper towel as was mentioned above and it will keep for weeks...nay, months. I didn't know that about carrots but i will have to try it and i'm getting some playground sand for my potatoes.

thanks, everyone.

 

[hambirg]

Keep your potatoes in a cool dry place. I always make sure there isn't a rotten or bruised one in the bag. . .it's like with rotten apples, it will rot the whole bunch. I do occasionally have some sprout. I try to keep an eye in them when the bag starts getting low. That way I can use them up before I have to throw them out. . .mashed potatoes, soup, etc and freeze.

I have the same problem with grapes so I don't have any good advice. . lol! But do try to get the bad ones out of the good ones. . .same rotten apple theory.

With carrots and celery. . .Don't slice them and keep them in water. When I have done that, they don't last long. I keep mine in the veggie drawer and they seem to last a really long time. I used to line my veggie drawer with paper towels, but now I have these green things that look kind of like that no slip drawer liner stuff.

My suggestion for strawberries is to buy cool whip! I can't keep them either, but if I have cool whip my kids will eat them before they go bad.

 

[Leader of the Club]

okay, this may sound crazy and it looks a little strange in the grocery, but...

smell your potatoes and other produce.

My mom is blind and she taught me to smell my produce before buying it. Trust me, if there is a potato going bad in the bag, you'll know it!

 

[indimom]

Potatoes can last for months in a cool dry place. We garden and our potatoes last from fall into the next spring planting in a potato box in the garage (which is kept heated to about 50s).
I've kept potatoes in the fridge for a week or two from time to time and notice no taste difference. Probably someone like Julia Child would. I'm guessing you just shouldn't store them in the fridge for extended periods of time, but a week or two probably wouldn't hurt and most of us average joes wouldn't taste any difference.
FYI, potatoes are just as edible when they have started to shrivel a little and get eyes on them, they just won't make a nice baked potato. I use them in soups, for mashed potatoes or in casseroles once they get soft.

My biggest complaint with storing fresh produce is the celery going soft so fast. I'm going to try the suggestions on here. Thanks!!