By Casa de Suna
Published Jul 11
Ahh, summer produce.
Beloved for its freshness but sometimes fleeting in nature. The good news is: there are ways to keep things fresh. Read on for our top tips on preserving your produce for the summer and beyond.
1. Shop from the Farmer’s Market
First things first: buy from farmer’s markets. We’ve said it before, but we’ll keep on saying it, because it’s crucial both for your health and the health of the planet. Shopping from Farmer’s Markets is a guaranteed way to get fresher produce. If you’re buying local, it means food hasn’t traveled as far–which means, yes, it’ll last longer in your home. When in doubt: try to buy things that haven’t been flown over on a plane! And always get to know your local farmers: they are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to eating with the seasons.
2. Store your herbs in water
Store your herbs in jars of fresh water! Keeping herbs hydrated is what keeps them fresh (think: flowers). When the herbs are in water, they’re continuing to absorb moisture. When herbs stop absorbing moisture, they wilt. Cilantro, dill, and parsley all do particularly well when stored in an upright bunch in a jar of water in your fridge. You’re welcome!
3. Try to grow what you can–it’s easier than you think
Speaking of the above, there are a few things you’ll do better to grow yourself than get in the grocery store (or even at the farmer’s market)–and herbs are one of them. We’re obsessed with the SmartGarden for growing mint, basil, cilantro, and (for those of us who love a good simple syrup or relaxing tincture) lavender. Pesticide free and easy to monitor, plants typically sprout within 1-2 weeks, leaving you with a fresh, year-round bounty.
4. Invest in good food storage
Yes, Farmer’s Markets are the ticket to fresher food, but once you’ve got it, how do you keep it fresh even longer? With the right storage. We love the OXO produce saver, which is ventilated tupperware for storing things like berries and tomatoes; they’re modular and clear, so you’ll always have an eye on how they’re doing. These changed the game for us; we’re sure they’ll do the same for you.
5. Freeze your corn (and beyond)
This isn’t just about corn, but it’s one of those summer produce staples that just isn’t the same when you eat it at other times of year. So, yes, when you get some peak season corn, store it in an airtight container and freeze it. Same goes for berries, stone fruits (just slice and dice first), and tomatoes, especially pureed.
6. Compost what you can’t save
This isn’t really a tip for keeping your own fridge fresh as much as it is for renewing the earth, but: compost! You can find a compost bin for $50; simply scrape all of your leftovers into it and then drop off at a compost point near you when it’s full up (in some cases, your building will handle this). You can put everything in except meat, fish, dairy, and citrus!
Did you use any of our summer produce saving tips? Tag us on social media using #casadesuna
