Share
It is that time of year when a trip to the market amidst rain might seem like a messy affair, while on the other hand, vegetable prices shoot up in the markets during this season. From buying vegetables with utmost attention to storing them well in the fridge, monsoons mean taking great care while consuming and preserving fresh produce.
It is important to handpick every vegetable at the local market because rain also means a greater risk of fresh foods being contaminated or attracting bacteria and fungal growth. Consuming such foods can increase toxicity and increase the risk of stomach infections. Along with buying produce carefully and using it immediately, it is also critical to store it well using some handy tips and tricks that will retain its freshness and flavour. Check out some hacks below to keep vegetables fresh during monsoons:
Wipe Vegetables After Washing
Use a good, organic vegetable wash to clean vegetables brought home straight from the market. This will get rid of sticky soil and dirt, as well as other contaminants sticking to the surface of the produce. Once washed, use a dry cloth to pat all the vegetables dry, getting rid of all moisture, before storing them in the refrigerator.
Trim The Roots Of Leafy Vegetables
While most leafy vegetables are best avoided in the monsoon, if you end up picking up a fresh bunch of spinach or coriander, trim the roots and soak the leaves in a large bowl of water for a few minutes. Once they are rid of all soil and grime, wrap the trimmed vegetables in a paper or cloth towel before refrigeration. Trimming the roots gets rid of the excess soil sticking to the produce and keeps the vegetables fresh for a longer time.
Store Potatoes And Onions In Cool, Dry Corners
In monsoons, there is a real risk of coming across stacks of onions that have absorbed too much moisture, ruining the crispy, spicy integrity of the vegetable. With potatoes, too, buying the ones that are already sprouting white roots means coming home with less-than-fresh produce. Try to handpick potatoes and onions at the local greengrocer, and once home, separate the two vegetables, storing them in an airy basket in the driest corner of the kitchen. As the humidity rises, so does the risk of rotten onions and potatoes. Storing these earthy vegetables in a cool spot retains their freshness and flavour.
Poke A Few Holes In Plastic Bags
If you are storing your root vegetables like carrots and beetroots in a plastic or ziplock bag, take a fork and poke a few holes in the bag so that it prevents too much moisture from accumulating in the bag. The same hack can be used for other veggies like green chillies, cucumbers, and lady fingers. This trick will ensure that the vegetables remain crisp and fresh for over a week. To avoid using plastic, store vegetables in loose cloth bags, but make sure they remain free of moisture droplets.
Organise The Fridge
This is a very basic but effective hack to keep fresh produce in a separate stack, away from cooked food. Increased moisture and humidity can sometimes lead to vegetables smelling like leftover food and losing out on their natural aroma and flavour. Keeping the vegetables spaced out in their designated drawers and regularly wiping the insides of these containers to get rid of any accumulated moisture will keep the produce fresh for longer.
Store Peas And Salads In Containers
A simple trick to keep peas and cut salads fresh for longer is to store them in Tupperware or similar airtight containers. If you are buying pre-cut salads, you can just as effectively store them in the boxes in which they are sold. And for storing green peas in bulk, shell them with utmost patience, seal them in an airtight tiffin, and store them in the freezer for freshness that lasts for months.
