Tuesday: How to Store Fruits/Veggies: Which Need Refrigeration and Which DON'T

Be prepared to be shocked. And AWED. At the fruits and veggies that actually DON'T need to be refrigerated! Ok, you won't be shocked and awed. Probably. But still, this is a handy list for anyone that buys or eats fruits and veggies.

*As a general rule, once any fruit/veggie has been cut open, you'll need to refrigerate it. Until then, however, MANY can be left out.




**Until ripe. Once ripe, refrigerate to slow aging.

Fruits Requiring Refrigeration	Fruits that Do NOT Require Refrigeration
Strawberries	Avocados**
Blackberries	Melons
Raspberries	Peaches**
Grapes	Apricots**
Blueberries	Nectarines**
Cherries	Apples
Huckleberries	Plums**
	Persimmons
	Pears
	Bananas
	Tomatoes**
	Mangoes
	Pineapples
	Clementines**
	Kiwis**
	Lemons
	Limes
	Pomegranates

**Until ripe. Once ripe, refrigerate to slow aging.

Vegetables Requiring Refrigeration	Vegetables that Do NOT Require Refrigeration
Leafy vegetables (arugula, lettuce, spinach, etc.)	Tomatoes**
Broccoli	Onions
Peas	Garlic
Beans (black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans, etc.)	Potatoes
Green beans	Winter squashes (butternut and acorn)
Asparagus (best stored in a plastic bag filled with water)	Chilies
Leeks	Corn**
Radish	Cabbage
	Celery
	Carrots
	Ginger
	Jicama
	Sweet potatoes
	Yams

BONUS!!

Need to ripen a fruit or vegetable? Put it in a paper bag with a banana. Bananas give off a gas that causes fruits and veggies to ripen more quickly. Knowing that, keep them way from your ripe fruits and veggies!

DOUBLE BONUS!!

To slow down the ripening of avocados, honeydews, or cantaloupes, put them in the refrigerator until 24 hours before you want to use them.