CSA Peeps

crackerjackprinter

So the newsletter for our CSA talked about how the organic produce would go bad quicker but I totally underestimated it.  Do you throw everything in the fridge when you get it?  Regardless of what it is?  Or do you go ahead and prepare all the food ahead of time for the week?

I need tips!  We're getting a lot of fruit but a good deal of veggies too.  And tomatoes.  I know tomatoes aren't really supposed to go in the fridge but I can't think of what to do with them really except on sandwiches.  Any ideas?

Hippinski

A lot depends on the veggie.  Like tomatoes I won't put in the fridge unless they are cut.  But a lot I just throw in the crisper and take out as I need.

*Except with things like beets & turnips where I need to detach the greens first so that I can use those separate. 

proudarmywife08

We are getting a TON of greens and lettuce. I cut up/prepare what we're going to use w/in a few days and refrigerate. Then I refrigerate the rest of it as well. For veggies, especially greens and lettuce, don't chop up the whole head at once, it will go bad quicker. If you go from the outside in, it will stay fresh longer. Also store greens in a plastic bag with the top open for air circulation, it keeps them much fresher longer. These were tips from my CSA and I didn't believe them until I tried them. I cook with tomatoes so that is what I'd do, make sauces and stuff, b/c we don't like raw tomatoes in our house. I've been canning the fruit but I can barely keep up with it right now, its killing me. I made 28 jars of jam last weekend and still have three bags of cherries and a bunch of apricots and plums. We have way too much produce and we eat salads and vegs every single day and we still have a ton.

crackerjackprinter

proudarmywife08:

We are getting a TON of greens and lettuce. I cut up/prepare what we're going to use w/in a few days and refrigerate. Then I refrigerate the rest of it as well. For veggies, especially greens and lettuce, don't chop up the whole head at once, it will go bad quicker. If you go from the outside in, it will stay fresh longer. Also store greens in a plastic bag with the top open for air circulation, it keeps them much fresher longer. These were tips from my CSA and I didn't believe them until I tried them. I cook with tomatoes so that is what I'd do, make sauces and stuff, b/c we don't like raw tomatoes in our house. I've been canning the fruit but I can barely keep up with it right now, its killing me. I made 28 jars of jam last weekend and still have three bags of cherries and a bunch of apricots and plums. We have way too much produce and we eat salads and vegs every single day and we still have a ton.

Thanks!  I always treat greens that way and it does help.  I guess I don't know what to do with the root veggies.  I suppose I can roast them ahead of time and then just eat leftovers throughout the week.  DH doesn't like raw tomatoes either but we only got 2 this week so I don't know what to do with them. 

I kinda want to try the large box for more stuff but it's twice as big so I need to justify it by using up everything in the small box!

I need to get canning supplies so I can have that in my arsenal!

nsees

For the tomatoes, I would use in chilli or spaghetti sauce or can them.  Sounds a little overwhelming!