Any ideas on how to keep veggies fresh longer?

[StephieLuv]

So I live in an apartment with no A/C and whenever I decide to get fresh produce, it doesn't last very long in the fridge (I keep it in here because I have a nasty fruit fly problem where I live. not only fruit flies but also ANTS! GROSS!) But when I do decide to take it out for use, it gets mushy and slimy and . Anyway, I hope I can get some tips on how to keep this from happening as well as to keep bugs out of my produce.

 

[Catherineanne]

So I live in an apartment with no A/C and whenever I decide to get fresh produce, it doesn't last very long in the fridge (I keep it in here because I have a nasty fruit fly problem where I live. not only fruit flies but also ANTS! GROSS!) But when I do decide to take it out for use, it gets mushy and slimy and . Anyway, I hope I can get some tips on how to keep this from happening as well as to keep bugs out of my produce.

I would use frozen in that case; no problem then.

And get rid of ants by wiping surfaces,cupboards etc with vinegar.

 

[Grafted In]

Those green bags seem to work a bit, but make sure the vegetables are totally dry on the outside.
I forget what they are called.
Some veggies can be vacuum sealed which may extend their expiration date.
And some root crops such as potatoes call actually be covered over.with soil and kept in a cool place.
Dry milk instead of fresh.

 

[YESLORDIWILL]

Some veggies last longer than others. Carrots, celery, cabbage all last week's in the fridge. They will last longer in a breathable plastic bag than just sitting on the shelf. Greens and berries have a very short shelf life and personally I stick them in the freezer within 2 days of buying them if they haven't been eaten. I just leave them in their original package for smoothies. As long as I use them within a month they keep quite well. (although I have stored them much longer and they've been fine.)

Other than that, once you realize which veggies have a short shelf life only buy what you know you can eat in that amount of time. Also some veggies aren't very good after they've been frozen, cucumbers...celery...lettuce.

 

[Grafted In]

And then there's canning.
If you have never eaten beef and potatoes canned together you missing a delicious treat. My mom used to can them together using either small new potatoes or larger potatoes cut up.
Pressure cooking makes reasonably cheap cuts of beef so tender it requires very little chewing. And the flavor is incredible.