Lakshmi Nair's tips to store vegetables in fridge for long

10 food items that shouldn't be stored in the fridge
Experts warn that some food items, especially fruits and vegetables, shouldn’t be refrigerated as it can alter the taste and natural texture of it.

It is quite difficult to retain the freshness and colour of the vegetables despite keeping them in fridge. So, it is common in every household that some vegetables end up in the bin, even though they were purchased fresh. Culinary expert Lakshmi Nair, in the latest episode of her vlog, gives a few tips about how to store the vegetables right, to retain its freshness and flavour.

Even though the vegetables are stored in the fridge, they may lose its freshness and get spoiled if they have moisture in it. The freshness of some vegetables could be retained by keeping them in the fridge unwashed or after patting the vegetables dry.

These vegetables could be stored in the fridge without washing.

Remove the stem of the coriander leaves and store in plastic container without washing them. The bottom of the container should be lined with tissue paper and place the coriander leaves over it. Fold some tissues and keep them above the coriander leaves before closing the lid. Store the container in the lower shelf of the fridge. Mint leaves and curry leaves too can be stored like this. However, these leaves should be washed well before adding them in the dishes.

Snake gourd could be cut into small pieces and covered in cling film, aluminium foil or a newspaper sheet before popping them in the lower shelf of the fridge. Cucumbers and carrots could be stored like this to retain their colour and freshness.

Trim the beans and wrap them in kitchen tissue or newspaper sheet before storing them in a container and refrigerating. It could also be cut into small pieces and stored in a zip lock bag and frozen.

Remove seeds from a pumpkin and cut it in small pieces. It would be easier to store these pieces in a container lined with kitchen tissue.

Wrap raw plantains and drumsticks in newspaper sheets and store in air tight containers.

Meanwhile, some vegetables could be washed well before keeping them in the fridge.

Soak tomatoes in water mixed with salt and vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Wash them well and pat dry to remove moisture. Line the bottom of a container with tissue papers and place the tomatoes with its stem end down. Place a wad of folded tissues above it and store in fridge.

Snap the ginger into small pieces and wash them properly. Put these ginger pieces in a jar filled with water and store in the lower shelf of the fridge. Make sure to change the water in the jar occasionally.

Wash the green chillies and remove moisture. Remove the stem and store in container lined with tissue.

There is no need to refrigerate tubers like colacasia, yam and potato as they won’t be spoiled easily even if they are kept in the room temperature.

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