Produce Suppliers

20 Best Ideas For Storing Fresh Produce

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If you have ever run into the issue of having to toss out your produce because it went bad before you had the chance to eat it, it may be time to reevaluate how you store and maintain said produce. Implementing a few simple changes can help give your produce a longer shelf life, and keep them fresh so that you don’t waste any more of your hard earned money! As one of the leading produce companies in New York, E. Armata Inc. has plenty of tips and tricks for storing fresh produce and keeping it that way for as long as possible. Continue reading to learn more!

Best Ideas For Storing Fresh Produce 

Many of us have the habit of filling our shopping carts up with fresh fruits and vegetables with every intention of using them for a healthy meal, but we often do not get the chance to eat them before they have gone bad. To help you cut down on food waste, our produce companies in New York would like to share some tips and tricks for the best ways to store produce:

  1. Keep your produce intact until you’re ready to eat them. This means, try to refrain from cutting or shaving/peeling until ready to use the whole produce in one sitting.
  2. Remove your produce from the plastic grocery bags you get from the market and store them loose or keep them in produce storage bags in the crisper drawers or on the counter in a fruit bowl. 
  3. Put a damp paper towel in produce bags for added humidity. This works great for leafy greens such as Arugula and Kale. 
  4. Wooden storage crates are a versatile piece of home decor that is functional and looks good. Store unrefrigerated vegetables in a crate to keep them fresh and in sight. 
  5. Corn – For fresh corn, it’s best to eat it as soon as possible since the longer you wait, the less enjoyable it becomes. To store corn, you can refrigerate it unshucked. 
  6. Herbs – Leafy herbs like cilantro, mint, basil, and parsley should be treated like flowers. To store them, trim their roots and put them in jars of cool water. Set the herbs aside at room temperature and use them as soon as possible. 
  7. Lettuce – Heads of lettuce and loose assortments should be washed and dried thoroughly before storing. You can store them in a vented paper bag with a piece of paper towel. 
  8. Peaches – Ripe peaches stay fresh when you refrigerate them in an uncovered container. If they need to be ripened, you can leave them in a closed paper bag at room temperature, then refrigerate them when ripened. 
  9. Apples – Apples are a fall staple. They are best stored in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator with a damp paper towel over them. 
  10. Asparagus – It’s easy to keep asparagus spears crisp and fresh. Trim the ends and stand the asparagus upright in a glass or jar half-filled with water. You can loosely fit a plastic bag over the tops of the spears and refrigerate them. 
  11. Blackberries – These berries are delicate and tend to grow mold quickly. Pick out any damaged berries and wash the good ones gently. Spread them out in a single layer lined with paper towels and refrigerate.  
  12. Cherries – Don’t wash cherries when you bring them home. Store them in the fridge in an uncovered bowl, and wash before eating. 
  13. Mushrooms – Mushrooms store best in vented paper bags in the crisper drawer. 
  14. Spinach – Wrap unpackaged spinach in a damp paper towel and leave them in the crisper drawer. 
  15. Strawberries – Store these berries in a vented bag in the refrigerator. Rinse thoroughly before eating. 
  16. Turnips – Cut the greens off, and store the greens and turnips in separated bags in the refrigerator. 
  17. Pineapple – Trim the top of the fruit off and turn it upside down in a bowl. Let the pineapple sit on the counter for a few days. Then, right side up, it will keep for a few days at room temperature. 
  18. Tomatoes – Do not refrigerate tomatoes since they will lose flavor rapidly. Store them at room temperature. 
  19. Pears – Like peaches, you can store them at room temperature until they ripen, then refrigerate in an uncovered container. 
  20. Raspberries – Wash gently and discard any damaged ones. Spread them on a plate lined with a paper towel and refrigerate. 

Contact Our Produce Companies in New York

E. Armata Inc. is one of the leading produce companies in New York, so you can be sure that you are receiving top quality products when you work with us. To learn more about storing fresh produce, be sure to contact us today!

Charred Creamed Corn

Charred Creamed Corn

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Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Ingredients 

  • 24 ounces frozen corn
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

Preheat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the corn and allow the corn to char, stirring just often enough so that the char marks are even and the bottom of the pan does not burn, until evenly charred all over, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

 

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the smoked paprika and stir to combine. Add the flour and stir until combined evenly, then cook until the flour is cooked and the roux is blond, about 2 minutes. Add half the milk in a slow stream, whisking constantly, until combined. Then add the remaining milk in a slow stream and whisk constantly until smooth. Add the cream cheese and sugar and continue to whisk until smooth and thick, about 2 minutes. Add about 3/4 cup corn and smash into the cream mixture using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir to combine, then fold in the remaining corn. Turn heat to low and allow to simmer gently until flavors are rich, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and garnish with parsley if desired.

 

berry distributors in the Bronx

10 Best Berries To Grow In Containers

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If you have ever thought about growing your own berries but were discouraged because you thought it required too much effort, maintenance, or you don’t have enough space, then we have some excellent news for you! Growing delicious berries has never been easier and more convenient than having them grown in containers to expand on your own fruit garden, especially if you have limited space! At E. Armata Inc., our berry distributors in the Bronx would like to share some of the best berries you can grow in containers at home! Continue reading to learn more.

Best Berries To Grow In Containers

  1. Strawberries – Strawberries are well suited to grow in containers! You don’t need any particular container to grow delicious strawberries either. These perennial plants should be in a well-draining container at least 6 to 8 inches deep. Our berry distributors in the Bronx recommend regular maintenance of watering and sunshine to grow plump and sweet strawberries.
  2. Blackberries – All you need to grow delicious blackberries at home is a 5-gallon pot, soil, and stakes for support. These berries are known to produce long canes that need support, especially during flowering.
  3. Blackcurrant – These sweet berries develop the best flavor in containers. Make sure that your blackcurrants have rich potting soil and ample drainage.
  4. Blueberries – Blueberries should be on your list of options to grow in a container. While they can take up a lot of space, blueberries tend to last longer than most garden berries. Place the container in a sunny spot and water regularly.
  5. Gooseberries– For the best tasting homegrown gooseberries, place them in an area where they’ll get plenty of morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon rays. Be sure to sprinkle some potash fertilizer around their base to promote fruiting and flowering throughout the season.
  6. Raspberries – Raspberries are one of the best berries to grow in containers. They tend to thrive in the warm summer sun, so make sure to place them in an area with lots of sunlight.
  7. Acai Berries – This rare berry is packed with significant health benefits. Choose a dwarf pre-germinated acai palm variety, and grow it in a large pot in a warm and sunny location. Make sure to keep your acai berries away from the cold during the winter as this can cause problems for your berries!
  8. Mulberries – Many people think of large mulberry trees, but did you know that these plants can grow well in containers too? Mulberries are rarely in stores due to their short shelf life, so grow your own at home!
  9. Cranberries – You might associate cranberries with large bogs, but they can also be grown in a container! It’s recommended to plant them in wide pots since this berry tends to spread.
  10. Boysenberries – Boysenberries can do well in containers but need plenty of room to grow. Choose a well-draining, wide container with rich soil, and keep them in a sunny spot.

Contact Our Berry Distributors in the Bronx

At E. Armata Inc., our berry distributors in the Bronx are passionate about cultivating the freshest fruit possible for our customers. To learn more about growing berries in containers or for general inquiries, be sure to contact us today!