Where do you keep your produce in cooler months?
By Marsha
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
Midland, Michigan
February 27, 2021 8:49pm CST
I've heard that if a store doesn't have their produce in the refrigerated area of the produce department that neither should you keep it in your fridge at home. For instance, supposedly the chemical construction of tomatoes changes when put in the fridge. Maybe that's why avocados aren't kept in the fridge.
I've always put zucchini into the fridge and within a few days it begins to look like it was in bath water too long. This week I kept it on the counter and it's been five days and still looks and feels decent. I'm going to try the same thing with a cucumber next week.
I'm curious about specifically what you do keep out.
We keep bananas and grapes on the counter asking with zucchini and next cucumber. We tried a tomato out but didn't see any difference in it lasting longer or the flavor.
There's also a link from better homes and gardens on @mythociate 's response if you want to check that out too.
28 people like this
28 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
@Adie04 I'm not talking about frozen it canned produce but what is bought in the markets fresh or in the stores and in the shelves fresh.
@Adie04 (17405)
•
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman oh too many to list. Usually frozen food in fridge, and cans in room temperature. Open cans in fridge.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Feb 21
Tomatoes I leave out. Avocados I leave out until they are almost ripe, and then they seem keep well in the fridge (if I leave them out, they will go bad quickly after ripening). I have not had problems with zucchini and cucumber in the fridge, but we use them right away - next time I will experiment and keep them out.
3 people like this
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
2 Mar 21
@MarshaMusselman m I keep my onions and garlic in the fridge, also carrots, cabbage, turnips, celery,
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
2 Mar 21
@marlina potatoes, onions and maybe garlic, many larger squash and avocados and tomatoes can be kept out along with bananas the rest should be kept colder basically.
I still might keep my tomato out and I intend to try that with the cucumber to next time I buy one as they never last long in the fridge. It could be they are in the short list for good long they do last.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
Thanks you actually answered specifically.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
How do you determine which to keep in each location?
1 person likes this
@dfollin (27267)
• United States
1 Mar 21
@MarshaMusselman Mostly what is refrigerated in the store.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Mar 21
@dfollin That's what a few of us are thinking.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman
I keep bananas,, potatoes and onlions out and tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green peppers and carrots in the frig.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I'm going to begin leaving my onion out until I start using it and see whether they makes any difference or not.
I forgot, I'll also keep most apples out and pears too.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
@Hannihar Even after you cut into them?
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman
I never put onions in the frig at all.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14699)
• United States
28 Feb 21
I keep produce in the fridge, I do not have problems.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
Do you eat most of it within a few days time or wait awhile first?
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
Daddy evil provided a link.
I don't use everything fast enough.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Mar 21
@porwest you might be more correct that I thought. Many things are only meant to last two to four days but in the fridge, crisper it wherever. Some things like potatoes, onions and squashed can be left out. The latter can keep up to two weeks I think it said. Some mushrooms in the fridge but not in the packaging, morels in the counter. Tomatoes in the counter.
I imagine what's sliced into but not used to in the fridge after 'opening' 
1 person likes this
@porwest (112802)
• United States
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman I will have to check it out. I have the same problem which is why I tend to hope things stay fresher in the crisper. But I am probably wrong about that. lol
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
28 Feb 21
Yeah it depends on what it is Marsha. Some things do seem to keep better on the counter though, like cucumbers. They seem to turn to mush in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman I hope it works for you Marsha.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I'm thinking that about cukes too but will see when I buy another one again.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502210)
• Italy
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman I keep the zucchini in the refrigerator at they last from 4 to 6 days and they are still perfect. I prefer to keep the avocado on the counter, but if I have the feeling that it is ripe and I do not eat immediately I put in the refrigerator. I always keep the tomatoes in the refrigerator.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
@LadyDuck My refrigerated zucchini never lasts for days. This time it did so I shredded it and refrigerated that and it's been fine.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
You are right Anna. I forgot to think about where they got their start. Still for whatever reason most people choose to leave their avocados on the counter until they ripen or are eaten.
So, maybe it has nothing to do with where they are located but something else. Maybe when I buy zucchinis that don't last long is because they were at the bottom box in the produce cooler more than anything?
@DaddyEvil (174296)
• United States
28 Feb 21
Your grocery store knows how to keep fresh fruit and produce looking nice the longest, so you should follow their lead. If they have it in a refrigerated case, then it goes into your fridge. If they don't, then it goes on the counter or floor.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174296)
• United States
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman Pretty always puts sacks of potatoes on the floor under the table we use to hold fresh fruits.
Uhm... I'm sorry, but Anna is mistaken. Many fresh fruits and some fresh produce spoil faster if kept refrigerated, and people working in the produce departments know that.
"Many fruits and vegetables should only be stored at room temperatures. Refrigeration can cause cold damage or prevent them from ripening to good flavor and texture. For example, pink tomatoes ripen to a better taste and red color if they are left at room temperature." Excerpt taken from:
https://extension.purdue.edu/foodlink/includes/pubs/Storing%20Fruits%20and%20Veggies.pdf
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
@DaddyEvil well a bag of potatoes in the floor that's different. She's probably not read or heard of purdue's research.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I think I'd use another table rather than the floor.
Anna reminded me that all produce starts in the produce refrigerator before being brought out to the shelves. The things not refrigerated are usually sold the quickest. And with that in mind maybe they should be eaten faster than what's in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Mar 21
I have always kept all these things in my fridge but I keep onions and cabbage out. Guess I will have to think of all this,
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I don't know how many things I'll experiment with though.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Mar 21
@just4him neither do I but I may or them into a bowl we sometimes keep the grapes in. That may not be good for any of it though not being socially distanced
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Feb 21
@MarshaMusselman I don't have a lot of room to let fruit or veggies sit out.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
28 Feb 21
I never really thought about it. I have always kept my zucchini in the fridge I will have to try to keep it out and see what happens. I also keep my tomatoes in the fridge. I guess I just automatically put most of my veggies in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I always have too except for regular potatoes as there's no room. But I keep my sweet potatoes in the fridge. I could put my grapes in the fridge as they might keep longer or seen to but then we forget they are there and don't eat them fast enough.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
4 Mar 21
@MarshaMusselman I forget we have some of the produce too. I hate when i have to throw it out.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
1 Mar 21
I keep my cut tomato, onion & cucumber in a ziploc in the fridge and it last longer. But cucumbers are notorious for going quickly, so I gobble them up quickly or get smaller ones to eat up fast. I leave my potatoes yukon gold in the plastics I bought them in and leave them in fridge lasts over a week. Lettuce too kept in the plastics I bought them in lasts longer. But veggies and fruits ment to eat up quickly. Do I look for smaller sizes or buy what I'll eat right away.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
2 Mar 21
Our potatoes go bad I'd we keep them in the plastic so we empty them into a basket on the floor. I put anything I cut into the fridge too.
And I might keep more in there when it's warmer so bugs can't get to them.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I'm talking about what we buy not what we grow. What we grow ourselves should last longer no matter what it might be.
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32299)
• Malaysia
1 Mar 21
Potatoes, onion or garlic will not be in the fridge. All other veggies will be in the fridge. I cut the leaf celery and stored them in the freezer. Same for other local herbs. Celery will be cut, soak in water and keep in the chiller. Can last almost two weeks. Mushrooms will also be in the chiller.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
28 Feb 21
I have noticed that too. The crisper works for most. But I have had that zucchini incident too. To avoid such situations, I simply plan such a way that likely to get spoiled vegetables are consumed first. Other vegetables or lentils are planned later. Tomatoes, I never had any issues about them being in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
I will be testing certain things and see what I discover.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
1 Mar 21
Not noticed that and we keep those items that need to be kept in the fridge.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 21
Most everything else you keep on your counters?
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Mar 21
Good point it may depend on where we will all live.
