First of all, there is really no room to store whole pumpkins and squashes in your refrigerator. Not only will it hog up all the space, but it doesn’t like it in there. The cold, humid environment will wreak havoc upon the pumpkin, causing it to rot inside too soon.
As a hard-shelled squash, pumpkins can last a really long time. They can be stored on the counter or outside for up to 90 days. Washing the outer shell with mild soap and water will extend the life of the pumpkin. Keep it out of direct sunlight and warm temps.
The Sweetest Thing
Strawberries are not only one of the sweetest fruits and most popular fruits, but they're also well-known for having the fewest calories. A strawberry is a beautiful, scrumptious berry that deserves to be treated with care. They taste best at room temperature and should be devoured within days of purchase.
Stuck in the fridge, the berry is sapped for sweetness. On the other hand, once ripeness peaks, you can save them from rotting away by keeping them in the fridge. It’s best to wash and dry the fruit thoroughly before refrigerating. Wrapping a paper towel around them in the fridge also helps preserve the berries.
Leave Out The Jams
It seems colorful jars of jams and jellies are just what our taste buds need when making our favorite PB&J sandwich. But don’t be afraid to leave jars of jam on the counter or in the pantry, even after they are opened. Lacking enough water content to support bacteria, fruit preservatives won’t spoil.
Preserved foods like jellies and jams are made to last, so they're just as safe on the shelf as they are in the fridge. Jams also have a low pH level, which means it has a high-acid solution that also prevents spoilage. Storing them in the fridge won't ruin them; there really is no need to do so.
Keep Your Carrots Their Crispest
Pulling fresh carrots from the garden or purchasing a freshly picked bunch at the farmer’s market is an experience of culinary joy. They’re sweet, crisp, and full of beta-carotene and that pop of green makes them look super fresh. To keep them this way, one should avoid putting carrots in the refrigerator.
If you are not able to gobble them up before they wilt, you can best store them in the fridge by following these steps: Wash thoroughly, chop in large chunks, and cover with water. The carrots will stay crispy and submerged in a container filled with water. Some claim they will last weeks stored this way.
Keeping Basil Fresh is Easy
Fresh basil is a game-changer in many recipes; there’s nothing like it. But storing it in the refrigerator makes it limp and flavorless. To increase the shelf life of basil, place it in a jar or a pretty vase on the windowsill. It will last many times longer than in the fridge and may also begin to sprout.
Then, you can plant baby basil plants and never run out of sweet and supple herbs. If you have way too much, a good way of preserving basil is to make it into pesto sauce. It’s a simple recipe of pureed basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan, and it lasts in the fridge for weeks.