Whether you're getting your produce from a CSA, farmers' market, or the grocery store, these tips will come in handy!
How to use your farm fresh fruits & vegetables:
Clean first: Be sure to clean all of your fruits and vegetables before eating, cooking, or freezing. It is a good idea to clean your food when you first bring it home.
- Use cool water
- Rub with your hands or a clean brush to get rid of sand or dirt
- Dry with a clean cloth, or let air dry in a strainer (salad spinners are great for washing delicate foods)
- Store food in a clean, dry container, and chill in the refrigerator
- Fresh herbs are stored best when chilled in a clean, damp towel inside a plastic bag
Eating produce raw is a great idea. Most fruits and vegetables are more nutritious when they are eaten raw. You don't have to eat a whole head of kale or a bunch of carrots by themselves–think of creative ways to make them into a meal! {keep an eye out for my Caesar Kale Salad recipe!}
Cooking vegetables is most common. It's a great idea to cook a few vegetables as soon as you bring them home, this way they will be ready to eat or add into a meal. This is probably one of the best ways to increase the veggies in your diet. When they are cleaned and cooked, all you need to do is eat! Cooking veggies (and fruits) is also a good solution if they have started to age a bit.
Let me just say: I love my freezer! I am the Freezer Queen. Most produce freezes very well. I use frozen veggies for stir fry, risotto, soups, side dishes, etc. Frozen fruit is best for smoothies, as well as pies and sauces (ever make a cherry sauce for your ice cream sundae? Or even a Greek Yogurt Sundae!).
Raw:
