I completely stumbled upon this surprise discovery a few years back and I've used it ever since. I was looking for an inexpensive way to store my crafting items, and while in the Dollar Tree, I saw one of those plastic shoe boxes with the lid. I have purchased these before for storage but I paid almost $4.00 a piece for them. I had no idea that I could go to a store across the street and get them for almost nothing.
Anyhow, I love salads and roasted vegetables, but I can't seem to use them all before they start going bad. I had to go out of town once and I had just purchased my groceries - mainly produce, of course. I have an older model Hotpoint refrigerator, and because I don't enjoy cleaning the produce drawers, I thought I'd just throw as much of the produce as I could fit in the shoe box figuring that it's all going to spoil anyhow. That produce was still good after a month and I couldn't believe it!
Now, I just sit the plastic shoe box on the top shelf. I don't even have to bend all the way down, (although I should bend every chance I get) to those deep, no joy to clean drawers at the bottom of the fridge. I buy my produce and I can get everything used up instead of having to pitch it after a week or so. Who'd a thought that a dollar item could save me so much money these past few years.
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I think this is a very good idea, thumbs up!
Does this work for lettuce? I have quit buying lettuce because it spoils within a few days. I think the lettuce industry should find a bag which would store it efficiently.
I only purchase Romaine and it stays for weeks . I take the 3 out of their bag and trim and rinse , drain, wrap them like a baby and put back in the bag or any bag.
While your produce may still look good after a month, it is best to use it up much before this as the nutritional value decreases rapidly, something you don't have to worry about with frozen vegetables.
Thanks for the suggestion! The next time I'm at the dollar store I'll be sure to pick up one of these boxes and try it out.
I have a question about the shoebox. Do you put the veggies covered or in a bag? The two pics looked like maybe you did. I have used different size Debbie Myers green colored bags for years.
Hi happy.now, yes, some items I put in storage bags and then in the shoe box, (like the cucumber) but my bagged salad mix I just fold the bag over. The green onions are in their original packaging too.
Avis, I keep lettuce fresh for weeks by wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil. I saw it as a hint on some internet site and tried it figuring "yeah, right", but it truly works!
As much as possible, I don't like using plastic for anything, especially food. I use my old faded or stained tea towels in the fridge for veggies. I wash the lettuce, celery, kale, broccoli, etc, shake them dry, roll them in a tea towel, then store them in the crisper drawer until ready to use.
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