It is of utmost importance to store your vegetables correctly. Proper storage conditions will keep your veggies fresh for the longest and preserve their flavour and texture. Use this handy chart for info on ideal storage conditions for different types of vegetables.
| Vegetable Type | Ideal Temperature | Ideal Humidity | Where to put it? |
|
Greens, roots, crisp green things: lettuce, spinach, kale other greens beets, carrots, turnips etc. broccoli, cabbage, radishes, beans, peas, fennel etc. |
1 to 3 degrees | High | In the fridge, covered (like in a plastic bag or container or cotton veggie bag moistened) |
| Fruit: cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, peppers | 12 degrees | Medium to high | Keep on your counter or in a cool root cellar or room. These fruit or susceptible to cold damage so do not store well in the fridge. |
| Tomatoes | 12-15 degrees | Low to medium | Fully ripe tomatoes can be held in the fridge for a day or two until you want to eat them but let them warm up before you take your first bite for optimal flavour. Ideally store tomatoes out of the fridge.
Under-ripe tomatoes should be left on your counter and not stored in the fridge. |
| Potatoes | 10 degrees | High | Potatoes store best in a cool but not cold place but want to be in the dark and out of the sun. A root cellar is good but the fridge is a fine place for them |
| Onions and garlic | 1 to 3 degrees C. | Low | Most people do not have a cold but dry place in their house. Keep these items on your counter unless you are storing them for a long time in which case the crisper in your fridge will do. |
| Winter squash | 10 to 15 degrees C. | Low | These hardy fruits will do just fine sitting on your counter for several weeks. Don’t put them in the fridge. |
| Sweet potatoes | 10 to 15 degrees C. | High | Again, the ideal storage conditions for sweet potatoes (warm and humid) is hard to come by in your house. Keep these on the counter and out of the fridge to retain the best flavour. |