Selecting & Storing Vegetables

• culinary
• 9-12 Grade

Do you store your fresh tomatoes in the refrigerator or on the counter?

Refrigerator

On the Counter

Unit 3 Vegetables

What are we going to learn?

• Classifications
  
• Nutritional Value
  
• Selecting & Storing

Selecting Vegetables

When shopping for fresh vegetables, follow these guide lines...

• Look for good color, firmness and absence of bruises and decay
• Avoid wilted vegetables
• Handle vegetables carefully to prevent bruising

Selecting Vegetables

• Choose vegetables that are medium in size. Small vegetables may be immature and lack flavor. Large vegetables can be over mature and tough.
• Buy only what you will use within a short time. Fresh veggies lose quality quickly.
• Vegetables that are in season are usually high in quality and low in price. 

Find an example on Google Images of a wilted, bruised, or rotten vegetable.

Storing Vegetables

For best flavor, appearance, and nutrition...

• Use all vegetables as soon as possible

Storing Vegetables

Tomatoes

• Allow them to fully ripen at room temperature
• Store them uncovered in the refrigerator after ripening 

Storing Vegetables

Leafy Green Vegetables

• Wrap in a damp towel and place in a perforated plastic bag before refrigerating

Storing Vegetables

Onions

• Store in an open container at room temperature

Storing Vegetables

Potatoes, Hard-rind Squash, Eggplant

• Store in a cool, dark, dry place. 
• Use potatoes within a week or they will sprout and shrivel.
• If potatoes are exposed to light, they may turn green. Cut away green portions before using. 

Storing Vegetables Video

Let's take 8 minutes to watch a video on storing vegetables

According to the video, what are the three factors you should always consider when storing vegetables?

1. Time
2. Temperature
3. Ethylene Gas
4. Air Flow

What does ethylene gas do?

1. Nothing
2. Makes the produce smell
3. Ripens fresh produce quicker
4. I don't know?

How should Apples be stored?

1. Refrigerator
2. On the counter
3. In a perforated bag
4. Away from other produce

Should Green Leafy Vegetables be washed before storing?

Homework

Re-watch the "How to Store Fruits and Vegetables" Video

Complete the Video Assessment 

Due 10/6 11:59pm