Keeping Summer Favorites Fresh
This time of year, our local markets are filled with fresh, delicious produce just waiting to be put to good use. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to go through our market basket bounty in just one day, so we asked the experts at Sickles Market in Little Silver, New Jersey, who believe in eating produce in the peak of season and right away to best celebrate its local flavor, for advice on how to keep some of our summer favorites fresh. Here are their recommendations:
Peaches
- Do: Leave store-bought peaches on the countertop until slightly soft to the touch; try to eat when ripe (preferably out of hand over the kitchen sink!).
- Don’t: If you’re not going to eat your peaches right away, leave them on your counter out of sunlight until ripe, then place in the fridge for 1-2 days only.
Corn
- Do: Leave in the husk when you bring it home from the grocery store if you’re not going to eat it right away; try to eat within 1-2 days of purchase.
- Don’t: Try not to leave corn in the fridge for longer than 5 days, as it will lose its flavor.
Tomatoes
- Do: When tomatoes are ripe and in season, eat them right away.
- Don’t: Try not to miss out on peak flavors by placing tomatoes in the fridge or leaving them in direct sunlight on the counter
Blueberries
- Do: Keep your blueberries in the fridge until ready to eat; blueberries can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days.
- Don’t: Don’t forget to wash before eating!
Fresh herbs
- Do: Rinse with water and wrap in a damp paper towel and store in a Ziploc bag, if not eating right away.
- Don’t: Don’t forget to remove the stems before storing.
Expert tip from Sickles Market in Little Silver, NJ.
