1 What Needs Refrigeration

By PapaBob

Which fruits veggies need to be refrigerated!

Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables or not, the time for fresh produce is almost upon us. To get the best flavor, University of Georgia experts say you need to know which fruits and vegetables to refrigerate and which not to.

"Refrigerating produce, such as tomatoes, papayas, mangos, avocados, bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, hurts their flavor," says Elizabeth Andress, an Extension food safety specialist with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Others, though, are better kept in the refrigerator. Andress says leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens are among them.


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"Cabbage naturally lasts longer, but other leafy vegetables need refrigeration for best quality and longer shelf life," she advises. "They like the high humidity. And the cool temperatures prevent shriveling and slow the loss of nutritional value.

"Don't place leafy veggies too close to refrigerator walls, though, and be sure not to put them in the coldest part if you keep your fridge extra cold. Vegetables, like lettuce, have very high water content and can freeze easily."

Along these lines, Andress also recommends refrigerating summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, okra and zucchini and protecting these vegetables from freezing, in the same manner as leafy vegetables. Place them in brown paper bags or ventilated plastic bags before refrigeration; tightly sealed plastic bags keep them too moist.

Unlike their larger bulb cousins, green onions, scallions and leeks should be refrigerated. They like moisture, so refrigerating them in plastic bags is a good idea.

Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries should all be refrigerated. "They need the cool temperatures for preservation, but don't store them wet," Andress suggests. "They like humidity, but the wetness can promote decay." Store berries in loose or ventilated plastic bags.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, can be refrigerated to prolong shelf life.

"They aren't going to keep ripening, so use your own preference," she says. "Refrigerate them if you like them cold."

Keep mushrooms in the refrigerator as well, but never in airtight containers. "Raw mushrooms are very likely to contain bacteria that can quickly produce toxins which may cause food-borne illness," Andress stated. "Make sure you refrigerate mushrooms in ventilated plastic or paper bags."

Ventilated plastic bags are ideal for storing many fruits and vegetables. "They're perfect for allowing the food to get the air circulation it needs," she said.

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

COPYRIGHT 2000 KC Publishers, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Ingredients

• Which fruits veggies need to be refrigerated!
• Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables or not, the time for fresh produce is almost upon us. To get the best flavor, University of Georgia experts say you need to know which fruits and vegetables to refrigerate and which not to.
• "Refrigerating produce, such as tomatoes, papayas, mangos, avocados, bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, hurts their flavor," says Elizabeth Andress, an Extension food safety specialist with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
• Others, though, are better kept in the refrigerator. Andress says leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens are among them.
• Related Results
• WHAT'S IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?
• Helping floral sales grow: as supermarkets place more emphasis on floral...
• Plan-ahead pizza pleases the picky
• Environmental tips: Reduce, reuse, recycle and remember?
• RFA Rolls Out New Food Safety Training DVD
• "Cabbage naturally lasts longer, but other leafy vegetables need refrigeration for best quality and longer shelf life," she advises. "They like the high humidity. And the cool temperatures prevent shriveling and slow the loss of nutritional value.
• "Don't place leafy veggies too close to refrigerator walls, though, and be sure not to put them in the coldest part if you keep your fridge extra cold. Vegetables, like lettuce, have very high water content and can freeze easily."
• Unlike their larger bulb cousins, green onions, scallions and leeks should be refrigerated. They like moisture, so refrigerating them in plastic bags is a good idea.
• Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, can be refrigerated to prolong shelf life.
• "They aren't going to keep ripening, so use your own preference," she says. "Refrigerate them if you like them cold."
• Ventilated plastic bags are ideal for storing many fruits and vegetables. "They're perfect for allowing the food to get the air circulation it needs," she said.
• Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
• COPYRIGHT 2000 KC Publishers, Inc.
• COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Preparation

Step 1

Which fruits veggies need to be refrigerated!

Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables or not, the time for fresh produce is almost upon us. To get the best flavor, University of Georgia experts say you need to know which fruits and vegetables to refrigerate and which not to.

"Refrigerating produce, such as tomatoes, papayas, mangos, avocados, bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, hurts their flavor," says Elizabeth Andress, an Extension food safety specialist with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Others, though, are better kept in the refrigerator. Andress says leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens are among them.


Related Results

WHAT'S IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?
Helping floral sales grow: as supermarkets place more emphasis on floral...
Plan-ahead pizza pleases the picky
Environmental tips: Reduce, reuse, recycle and remember?
RFA Rolls Out New Food Safety Training DVD

"Cabbage naturally lasts longer, but other leafy vegetables need refrigeration for best quality and longer shelf life," she advises. "They like the high humidity. And the cool temperatures prevent shriveling and slow the loss of nutritional value.

"Don't place leafy veggies too close to refrigerator walls, though, and be sure not to put them in the coldest part if you keep your fridge extra cold. Vegetables, like lettuce, have very high water content and can freeze easily."

Along these lines, Andress also recommends refrigerating summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, okra and zucchini and protecting these vegetables from freezing, in the same manner as leafy vegetables. Place them in brown paper bags or ventilated plastic bags before refrigeration; tightly sealed plastic bags keep them too moist.

Unlike their larger bulb cousins, green onions, scallions and leeks should be refrigerated. They like moisture, so refrigerating them in plastic bags is a good idea.

Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries should all be refrigerated. "They need the cool temperatures for preservation, but don't store them wet," Andress suggests. "They like humidity, but the wetness can promote decay." Store berries in loose or ventilated plastic bags.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, can be refrigerated to prolong shelf life.

"They aren't going to keep ripening, so use your own preference," she says. "Refrigerate them if you like them cold."

Keep mushrooms in the refrigerator as well, but never in airtight containers. "Raw mushrooms are very likely to contain bacteria that can quickly produce toxins which may cause food-borne illness," Andress stated. "Make sure you refrigerate mushrooms in ventilated plastic or paper bags."

Ventilated plastic bags are ideal for storing many fruits and vegetables. "They're perfect for allowing the food to get the air circulation it needs," she said.

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

COPYRIGHT 2000 KC Publishers, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group