topic Re: Produce Priorities? in Kitchen

Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:07:12 GMT

Supermarket visits are limited.

Arrows on the floor.

Social distancing in the store.

Nervous anxiety.

I have to be quick.

Staying in any one place

Is not approved of

in my grocery store...

I have to be quick. So, I find myself gravitating to broccoli, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, mandarin oranges and lemons. Every week, they are my first choices. I have been making two-week menus, but the veggies and fruits have to keep for a while. It is so difficult!

Re: Produce Priorities?

May5 — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:09:06 GMT

Lock and Lock is what I use and it is wonderful.

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:13:14 GMT

@May5 My LnL has been breaking like the spring ice pack. Almost all of my original purchases have no lids left. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Re: Produce Priorities?

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:20:29 GMT

@PA Mom-mom We have two farms close to us and that's where we get our produce. I know what you mean about trying to get the produce in the grocery store with trying to stay away from other shoppers.

Re: Produce Priorities?

millieshops — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:24:10 GMT

@PA Mom-mom Because it's so easy to do where I live I often used to shop several times a week for fresh fruits, veggies, and odds and ends. Once maybe twice a month I'd add to the pantry plus cleaners and paper goods.

Since mid-March, I've gone 4 times. I use fresh veggies and fruits in the first few days after I shop but as they're gone, I use what I bought for the freezer and pantry. It's undoubtedly easier for me because I don't have to please anyone but myself, but it does work and I haven't been displeased with what I'm eating.

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:28:44 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ We live about 45 minutes from Lancaster, but right now they only have spinach and lettuce. We are going again on Saturday. We will see.

Re: Produce Priorities?

SandySparkles — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:32:29 GMT

I am pescatarian so fruit and veggies are a must in my diet. I tend to shop whatever looks the best, and is in season. My menus are generally planned that way. Zucchini, mushrooms, green leafy veggies, onions and garlic are first to find their way into my basket.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:36:53 GMT

@SandySparkles I like zucchini because it is so versatile, but I've found that, lately, it just doesn't last as long as some other veggies in the refrigerator.

Re: Produce Priorities?

kittyloo — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:39:50 GMT

my go to is the bagged spinich. lasts pretty good in the fridge.

Re: Produce Priorities?

May5 — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:40:18 GMT

@PA Mom-mom some of my original pieces got the same way. I just tossed them. If you can pick up a set with a variety it will be worth it. Good luck

Re: Produce Priorities?

SandySparkles — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:56:25 GMT

@PA Mom-mom I feel your pain, and have noticed that on occasion as well. It depends on how long it 's kept in cold storage. To minimize waste, some items are allowed to remain on the shelves longer than they once did. It can be so frustrating when you only have it in the fridge a few days, take it out, and it is overripe or close to it.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Produce Priorities?

Mz iMac — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:06:25 GMT

@PA Mom-mom "but the veggies and fruits have to keep for a while. It is so difficult!"

OXO & frozen are a match made in heaven.

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:12:08 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@PA Mom-mom "but the veggies and fruits have to keep for a while. It is so difficult!"

OXO & frozen are a match made in heaven.

@Mz iMac Not sure what you mean.

Re: Produce Priorities?

Mz iMac — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:15:34 GMT

@PA Mom-mom

OXO in my personal opinion is far superior than L&L.

Frozen vegies & fruits last longer than sitting in the fridge.

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:17:20 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@PA Mom-mom

OXO in my personal opinion is far superior than L&L.
Frozen vegies & fruits last longer than sitting in the fridge.

@Mz iMac OK. Got it. Thanks!

Re: Produce Priorities?

Still Raining — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:46:33 GMT

Tomorrow is three weeks for me and I am about to eat grass. This is so hard. Canned and frozen don't cut it. Forget about TP, I would kill for a semi-green banana. Or three.....

Re: Produce Priorities?

Eileen in Virginia — Wed, 06 May 2020 23:57:30 GMT

I've had good luck in the produce aisle of our local Giant supermarket. Luckily, we all like broccoli and cauliflower, which I bought there. DH accidentally bought twice as many carrots as I needed to make a carrot cake, so I had to use them up, too. I steamed a combination of the three of them for several meals and everyone was happy. I like zucchini, too, and usually steam it. Every so often, I'll make "clean out the refrigerator" chicken and veggies. I sauté some chicken in olive oil, then start adding whatever fresh veggies I have in the fridge, starting with those that take the longest to cook. Once the last veggie's fork tender, I add some teriyaki sauce and finish for 5 minutes or so. It's great served over rice and only takes about a half hour to make.

ETA: I've found that K47531, Lock & Lock 3-piece Triton stackable refrigerator set, is very good for keeping veggies in the fridge. It's especially good for celery, carrots and asparagus.

Re: Produce Priorities?

ECBG — Thu, 07 May 2020 00:11:04 GMT

@PA Mom-mom

Can you get some of the most fragile for the present week then the hearter veggies for the next week?

Re: Produce Priorities?

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 07 May 2020 00:23:55 GMT

@ECBG Yes, I try to do that. I usually use the spinach first. Beside the garlic and onion, I find the cruciferous and brassica veggies and the peppers seem to last the longest. I don't usually use carrots because of their high sugar content. We have had cold weather in PA until last week, so I found the veggies were happy on a table in the garage. Then, suddenly, the weather turned warm. They don't like the refrigerator nearly as much.

Re: Produce Priorities?

shoptilyadropagain — Thu, 07 May 2020 13:03:10 GMT

Romaine Lettuce, potatoes, onion, garlic and frozen green beans. For fruits, I go for bananas, apples and oranges