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Storing Fruits and Vegetables
How long do your berries last in the fridge?
If stored properly, fresh strawberries will last four to five days in the fridge; fresh raspberries should last two to three days in the fridge. This is subject to change based on variety, weather, and storage conditions but can be followed as a general rule of thumb. Fresh field berries are very different from the berries you see in the winter; imported berries are designed to be firmer and last longer in storage.
How should I store fruit I bought from you?
Apples: Small quantities of apples can be kept in the refrigerator where they can keep for up to a month. Larger quantities of apples should be kept in a cool, dark place with good air circulation, covered loosely with plastic to preserve humidity.
Apricots: To ripen, store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. Once ripeness is achieved (should be bright orange with a pink/peachy blush), move to the refrigerator. Ripe apricots can last up to seven days in the fridge.
Black Currants: Keep refrigerated. Currants can last three to five days refrigerated.
Blueberries: Store in the refrigerator, loosely covered. Do not wash until ready to eat. Blueberries can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Cherries: Store in the refrigerator; keep the cherries dry. Cherries can last up to a week in the fridge, but keep an eye on them and remove any with brown blemishes.
Nectarines: Store nectarines in the fridge in a single layer. It is best to eat them within seven days of purchase. If underripe, keep at room temperature out of direct sunlight for two to three days or until desired ripeness is achieved.
Peaches: Store peaches in the fridge in a single layer. It is best to eat them within five days of purchase. If underripe, keep at room temperature out of direct sunlight for two to three days or until desired ripeness is achieved.
Pears: Store ripe pears in the fridge and use within a few days of purchase. If underripe, keep at room temperature and out of direct sunlight for one to two days or until desired ripeness is achieved.
Raspberries: Keep raspberries refrigerated and do not wash them until you are about to use. Fresh raspberries typically last two to three days in the fridge.
Rhubarb: Wrap in plastic, paper, or beeswax wrap and store in the fridge.
Strawberries: Strawberries are best kept in an airtight container in the fridge, whole and unwashed until ready to use. They can keep up to five days in the fridge if stored correctly.
How should I store vegetables I bought from you?
Asparagus: If you are not going to eat the asparagus on the day of purchase, then either wrap the stem ends with a damp paper towel or place the bunch upright in a cup of water. Asparagus will keep this way for two to three days.
Beans: Beans should be stored in an airtight container, unwashed and uncut until ready to eat. They can last up to seven days in the fridge if stored correctly.
Beets: You can store beets in the refrigerator crisper, wrapped in paper towel, for five to seven days. If you have a root cellar, you can also store them there.
Carrots: Remove all carrot tops prior to storage. Keep carrots wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator crisper. If stored correctly, carrots can last up to three weeks. If you have a root cellar, you can also store them there.
Corn: Keep corn moist and cool by wrapping it in plastic and storing it in the fridge. Do not husk until ready to eat. It is best to consume corn within two to three days of purchase.
Cucumbers: Store greenhouse cucumbers in the crisper in your refrigerator, keeping on the original plastic wrap. Store field cucumbers in the same place, but wrap them in plastic or beeswax wrap to preserve freshness.
Lettuce: Do not wash until ready to eat. Keep in the refrigerator in its original packing, or wrapped in paper or plastic.
Green Onions: Store green onions in plastic. Can last up to seven days.
Peas: Store peas in a plastic bag in the refrigerator’s crisper. It is best to consume peas soon after harvesting or purchasing as the sugar begins to convert to starch as soon as the peas are picked.
Peppers: Keep peppers in the refrigerator crisper. They can last for up to seven days if stored correctly.
Potatoes: Store potatoes out of direct light. Cover the potatoes with burlap or ventilated plastic – potatoes need to be kept in a dark place with good air circulation. If you have a root cellar, you can also store them there.
Pumpkins: Pumpkins keep best when cool and dry, so it is best to keep them in a cool room indoors if you plan to use it for baking. If you cut up a fresh pumpkin, wrap it in plastic and store in the refrigerator to be used within five days.
Radishes: Remove the leaves and store in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic. They can last up to seven days in the fridge.
Squash: Keep in a cool, dry location with good air circulation. Some squash can last up to two months when stored properly.
Tomatoes: Store tomatoes at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Tomatoes at full ripeness can last two to three days when stored at room temperature.
Zucchini: Store in the refrigerator for up to five days, wrapped in plastic or beeswax wrap to keep the skin moist.
Note: This is an excellent resource from Foodland Ontario about how to store many different kinds of local produce.
Cooking and Baking
How many berries do I need to make jam?
Typically, one litre of berries will make one and a half to two cups of crushed berries. Likewise, a pint of berries will make one cup of crushed berries. Most jam recipes call for four to five cups of crushed fruit, so it is best to purchase three to four litres or five pints of the desired berry per batch of jam you intend to make. However, it is best to note the specific recipe you plan to use and purchase accordingly.
How many berries do I need to make a pie?
Typically, one litre of berries will make one and a half to two cups of crushed berries. Likewise, a pint of berries will make one cup of crushed berries. This rule of thumb generally also applies to sliced strawberries. It is best to note the specific recipe you plan to use and purchase accordingly, but you will typically need approximately three litres or five pints to make a pie.