How To Care For & Store Veggies
(updated on Jul 21, 2008)
The safe handling of food is important. The following are a few reminders for the proper way to buy and store tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers.
Tomatoes
- Tomatoes should be red, heavy for their size, plump, firm, even-shaped and free of any cracks and bruises.
- Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight so that they can ripen naturally.
- Storing tomatoes in the refrigerator is not recommended as that will change the texture of the tomato and decrease its flavour. Cold temperatures make the flesh pulpy.
- Tomatoes should be stored stem side up and used within a few days.
- When selecting cucumbers, look for long and firm cucumbers, which are a dark vivid green and feel heavy for their size and are free of any soft spots or marks.
- In order to maintain their freshness, protect their colour and retain their natural moisture, seedless cucumbers are sealed in a plastic wrap and should be stored in a cool, dry place or in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator.
- Mini cucumbers are best kept refrigerated in their packaging.
- Choose sweet peppers that are smooth, firm and plump with thick shiny skins.
- Make sure that there are no cracks or soft spots.
- Store sweet peppers in the refrigerator.
Buy Ontario greenhouse vegetables at several stages of ripeness, so you can use them over several days.
