Storage and Use Tips: Fresh Fruit

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By Jamie Carroll


 

I received this information in an email. I thought some hubbers would find this useful. More information can be found at http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/

Apples

Keep apples refrigerated (32-36°F), storing them away from vegetables, as apples produce ethylene, a ripening agent. Eat raw as a snack, or slice into a green salad with walnuts or pecans. Apples are also delicious when thinly sliced and incorporated into a sandwich with soft-ripened cheese.

Avocadoes

Ripen avocadoes in a paper bag on your countertop; when fully ripe, store whole avocadoes in a cool, dry place (45-50°F). Mash the avocadoes and add a bit of lemon juice, salt and pepper for a simple guacamole.

Bananas

Store at room temperature (55-70°F). Eat plain or added to cereal or fruit salad.

Cranberries

Keep refrigerated (32-36°F), storing in a perforated plastic bag. Cranberries can also be frozen for later use. They are wonderful in chutneys and when boiled down with mandarin juice and served with roasts.

Figs

Keep figs refrigerated (32-36°F). They are perfect plain and also drizzled with honey for dessert.

Grapes

Keep grapes refrigerated (32-36°F), in a perforated plastic bag. Do not wash until ready to use. Grapes are a wonderful accompaniment to a cheese course and are tasty in fruit salad.

Kiwis

Keep kiwis refrigerated (32-36°F), away from other fruit to prevent over-ripening. Eat plain or sliced into a fruit salad. Sliced kiwis are wonderful with yogurt!

Lemons & Limes

Store in a cool, dry place (45-50°F), away from other fruits to avoid absorption of off-flavors. Wash before using. Lemons and limes are good in salad dressing, iced tea and simply squeezed into a pitcher of water for a kick of flavor.

Mangoes

Keep mangoes refrigerated (32-36°F). Mangoes are good plain and are a great addition to fruit salad.

Melons

Store whole melons in a cool, dry place (45-50°F), away from other fruits. Always store cut melons in the refrigerator. Eat plain or cut into small pieces in a fruit salad.

Oranges, Grapefruit & Mandarins

Store in a cool, dry place (45-50°F). Always refrigerate cut citrus. Oranges, grapefruit & mandarins are a seasonal pleasure - they're great eaten plain or make for delicious fresh squeezed juice.

Pears

Store whole pears in the refrigerator (32-36°F). Pears are tasty plain, but can also make for an elegant dessert. Cut in half lengthwise and lay on a baking dish; top with butter and brown sugar and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Serve with vanilla bean ice cream.

Persimmons

When ripe, store them in the refrigerator (32-36°F). There are two varieties of persimmons - Fuyu and Hachiya. The Fuyu variety can be eaten plain, biting into the persimmon like you would an apple. Cook the Hachiya variety in stews or in apple pie. Cook the Hachiya variety in stews or in apple pie or wait until they are so ripe they are soft and mushy, then they can be eaten fresh. Freezing the Hachiya also removes the surprising texture they possess when eaten firm and uncooked.

Pomegranates

Keep pomegranates refrigerated (32-36°F). To remove the seeds: Cut out the blossom end, remove some of the white pith, but do not break the red pulp around the seeds. Score the skin into quarters. Break the pomegranate into halves and then halve again following score lines. Bend back the rind and pull out the seeds. Eat seeds whole or juice into mixed drinks.

Rhubarb

Keep refrigerated (32-36°F), storing in a perforated plastic bag. Chop and place in a pot with ½ cup of water. Let the rhubarb cook down into compote, adding sugar to taste.

Stone Fruit: Nectarines, Apricots, Peaches, Plums, Pluots, Apriums

Store whole stone fruit in the refrigerator (32-36°F). Eat plain as a snack or in a fruit salad.

Strawberries & Bush Berries

Fresh berries are highly perishable. Store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator (32-36°F), loosely covered with plastic wrap. Do not wash until ready to use. Serve plain or in a fruit salad.

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