Washing, Preparing,
and Storing Your Food
CSA Success Series #4
A Little Extra Love
In the last installment of our CSA Success Series, we talked about the finer points of picking up a farm box. This time, we’re going to cover how to unpack your box and prep your veggies, greens, herbs, and fruits so they last as long as possible.
But before we get to that, let’s answer a common question from members:
Why do spring and summer farm products require extra care at home?
Good question! There are three reasons why super-fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and greens often require a little more care:
Some of our fresh items are tasty and tender, but tough to store. Being local allows us to grow varieties that don’t ship or store well—thin-skinned, odd-sized heirloom tomatoes, for instance, or super-tender salad greens. These items taste great, but go bad quickly (which is why you won’t get them at the store). Following our storage tips can help extend their shelf life so you can enjoy them all week long.
We give you the whole plant when we can. Because we deliver your box a day or two after your crops come out of the field, we are able to send root crops—carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, and so on—with their tasty and nutritious green tops intact, allowing you to use them in salads and other dishes. Shipping them to you with the greens intact keeps the greens fresh, but leaving the greens attached to the root beyond this point degrades the quality of the root as the leaves continue to draw water and nutrients from the roots. That’s why we recommend removing the greens as soon as you unbox your produce.
Washing too thoroughly before shipping may affect quality. In some cases, especially for more delicate crops, washing too thoroughly before shipping could really impact the quality of the produce. Your produce should definitely arrive clean, but unique may need to rinse it once or twice before eating to get the last bits of grit and sand off of some items.
Step 1: Unbox and Sort
First things first—let's unbox your rainbow of farm-fresh flavor!
Unbox: Gently unpack your box, laying out all your vegetables on the kitchen counter or table. Take a moment to marvel at the beautiful colors and textures. 🌈 Bonus: Some people take a photo and upload it to social media. If you do that, be sure to tag us and/or send us the photo. We might just feature it on our own Instagram or Facebook page.
Sort: Group similar veggies together. For example, put all the leafy greens in one pile, root veggies in another, and so on. This will make the washing process easier.
Veggie ID help: If you’re unsure what you’re looking at, there is a list of your box items on the side of the box.
💡PRO TIP: You can also consult our farm box preview, posted to our blog and social media every Tuesday or Wednesday immediately before box delivery. In the farm box preview, you’ll get a heads up on what’s in the box, with special tips tailored to the week’s harvest.
Step 2: Clean those greens!
Many of your Featherstone vegetables will come to you in very clean condition but some items—particularly leafy greens such as spinach, kale, lettuce, and so on—may need washing.
Here’s how to clean those greens:
Fill a large bowl or basin with cold water.
Submerge the greens and gently swish them around to loosen any dirt.
Let them sit for a few minutes so the dirt can settle to the bottom.
Lift the greens out and place them in a colander to drain.
For extra cleanliness, repeat the process if needed.
Other fruits and vegetables:
Your other vegetables should come to you pretty clean, but if not, rinse them under cold running water, using a vegetable brush if necessary to scrub off any dirt.
Step 3: Prepare for Storage
Proper storage keeps your veggies fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s the best way to store your freshly washed produce:
Leafy Greens
Shake off excess water and pat dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner.
Wrap them in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place them in a breathable bag or container.
Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
Root Vegetables
Remove any leafy tops (carrots, beets) to prevent them from drawing moisture from the roots. Pro tip: Many times, the leafy greens can be added to a green salad. (Yes, even carrot greens!)
Store in a cool, dark place, like a root cellar or the crisper drawer of your fridge.
Place them in a breathable bag or perforated plastic bag.
Delicate Veggies
Ensure they are completely dry before storing to prevent mold.
Store tomatoes at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Store peppers and beans in the refrigerator crisper drawer in a breathable bag.
Herbs
For tender herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil)
Cut off the bottom of the stems.
Put the herbs in a jar with about an inch of water.
Place a plastic bag over the top of the herbs. Keep basil at room temperature; do not refrigerate.
Tender herbs other than basil: Store in the fridge and change the water every couple of days.
For hardier herbs (e.g., dill)
Cut off the bottom of the stems.
Gently rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Wrap in a slightly damp paper towel.
Put the wrapped herbs in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container.
Store in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
Step 4: Upcycle packing materials
While we try to minimize packing material, plastic is sometimes necessary to protect the quality of delicate items. We’re working on finding alternatives, but in the meantime, we’ve come up with a list of tips for upcycling these materials: Upcycling Ideas.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Now that your veggies are washed, prepped, and stored, it's time to enjoy them! Try out new recipes, whip up fresh salads, or simply snack on raw veggies with your favorite dip. The possibilities are endless! Challenge yourself to use every item in your box. It’s a great way to try new recipes and reduce food waste. Look for recipe suggestions in our weekly newsletter!
That’s all for now. Next, check out other articles in the CSA Success Series.
As always, please reach out to our CSA manager, Karin, by email or phone if you have any questions or concerns: csa@featherstonefarm.com or 507-864-2400.