Cooking and eating seasonally is a great way to spruce up your meal plans and get the most flavor from your food, especially in the colder months. But how do you store fall produce without mountains of plastic?
I asked chefs and pro organizers for their best fall food storage ideas that cut back on plastic waste, and they'll even keep your food fresher for longer.
5 Ways to Store Fall Produce Without Plastic
1. Wrap Root Veg in Cotton
Root vegetables are a hearty foundation for so many fall and winter dishes, but they can quickly turn rubbery in storage.
To counter this, Edmund “Ed” McCormick, food science specialist, culinary author, and founder of Cape Crystal Brands, suggests, 'Wrap carrots, beets, or parsnips in a slightly damp cotton towel and place them in a cool cabinet or fridge drawer. The towel regulates humidity and prevents roots from becoming limp.'
You can find 100% cotton muslin fabric at Walmart, ideal for cutting to size for storing fall produce.
2. Mesh Bags for Onions
Breathability is key for a lot of fall produce, a factor that plastic kitchen storage does not take into account.
For foundational essentials such as onions and garlic, Ed recommends switching to mesh bags from Wayfair instead.
He explains, 'Airflow prevents sprouting and spoilage. Hanging them in a cool corner or pantry looks rustic, and it frees up counters.'
Alternatively, you can keep onions and squash-type produce in pull-out baskets, such as the Stackable Wire Pantry Baskets from Target, adds Angelia York, professional organizer and VP at Saint Louis Closet Co.
'They let your food breathe while keeping your pantry organized and visually pleasing,' she adds.
3. Lined Glass for Leafy Greens
Fresh greens are some of the worst offenders for quick spoilage, creating unnecessary trash at home.
Rather than bundling them in plastic, however, Amanda Anderson, plant-based chef and founder of Plant-Based Sis, says, 'I wrap them lightly in a damp cloth or paper towel and pop them in a glass container in the fridge.' The Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage from Target is ideal for this.
'They stay crisp for days without needing any plastic.'
4. Ferment Surplus
Polya Petrova, cleaning and organizing expert at Fantastic Services, recommends preserving surplus fall produce to make it last through the seasons and add flair to your cooking.
She explains, 'fermenting surplus vegetables, such as cabbage or carrots, in glass jars extends their shelf life and adds nutritional value.'
Glass fermenting jars, from Walmart, are a must for this.
5. Display Hard-Skinned Squash
You may have heard of using kitchen tools such as chopping boards and oil bottles to decorate kitchen counters, but how about using your fall produce for a stylish twist?
Amanda shared, 'Hard-skinned squash and pumpkins do surprisingly well just sitting in a cool, dry spot on the counter or pantry. No bag required, and they’ll keep for weeks.'
What to Shop
The 100% cotton mesh material allows the bags to be breathable and reusable for all of your supermarket trips. These bags are machine washable, making them long-lasting, too.
These divided wire baskets are ideal for keeping root vegetables neat and fresh in the fall. Plus, they make great use of vertical storage to save space.
100% leakproof, these glass food containers keep food fresher for longer. Plus, they are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe for convenience.
Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for maintaining breathability while keeping your kitchen storage aesthetic.
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning tool for produce, removing any pesticide spray residue and dirt without harsh chemicals.
These handy vegetable scrub brushes are perfect for removing dirt and residue from produce for fresher food storage.
Meet the Experts
While you are upgrading your fall produce storage, work through a quick fall pantry reset to prepare your kitchen for the demands of holiday cooking.
