Help keeping an edible fruit/veggie arrangement fresh

[LisaR]

I've made some pretty cool looking fruit arrangements over the years! I'd like to make a pumpkin themed one, but I have a stumbling block that I am hoping to get some help with.

My biggest obstacle will be transportation. In the past, I make them, set them out, and they are eaten within a few hours. In this case, I need to assemble it the night before, store it in the fridge, and then transport it 3.5 hours the next day. Picture a pumpkin with a bunch of fruit and veggie skewers sticking out.

I am concerned that the produce won't hold up and look as nice the next day. I know I can cut a pepper today, eat it tomorrow, and it will be fine, but I don't have a skewer stabbed through the middle of it all night long. In addition, that cut pepper would be in a sealed container in my refrigerator. I'm afraid that fruit and veggies left uncovered in the fridge overnight and then transported the next day will just not be as firm and tasty. Any ideas on how to cover the produce laden pumpkin while it is in the fridge so everything stays fresh? I could put a plastic garbage bag over it, but it wouldn't seal it like a Ziploc bag or container with a lid would. Do you think that would be enough so nothing gets dried out? Any other ideas?

 

[poohfriend77]

Could you put the fruit/veggies on the skewers and store them in ziplocks or storage boxes overnight? Then assemble them into the arrangement when you reach your destination? That would probably also allow you to transport everything more easily in coolers since you have a long drive.

 

[Straitlover]

Don't use a garbage bag! Some of them have insecticide embedded in the plastic, and they ar enot labeled as such.

I say make the skewers ahead and assemble once you get there.

 

[sandramaac]

Well if you put the skewers is a tray or baggie that will get all drippy and watery. I would assemble them and place in styrofoam over night with some paper towels over the styro to absorb the dripping.

Same night I would cool a huge cooler overnight with ice. In morning place skewers on the cold cooler in the styro (take ice out at this point), or take chance at this point laying them down. Assemble on arrival.

 

[LisaR]

Don't use a garbage bag! Some of them have insecticide embedded in the plastic, and they ar enot labeled as such.

I say make the skewers ahead and assemble once you get there.

Ewwww! I didn't think of that. I'll definitely skip the garbage bag.

I might have to skip the entire thing. Unfortunately, assembling when I get there isn't an option. It takes a great deal of time to assemble it so it actually looks really cool. Oh well. I guess I will have to come up with something else.