Cooking & Baking
Related: About this forumHow do you prevent strawberries from going bad?
I've had them go bad within 24 hours sitting out in a colander with paper towel AND in the refrigerator. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, all!
cbayer
(146,218 posts)in some sugar water.
They seem to last longer that way.
Stinky The Clown
(67,838 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)This morning, they were growing fuzz. How much sugar?
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I think it's the "one rotten apple" problem. Once one gets mold, it spreads like crazy.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)It's frustrating because I love strawberries.
Stinky The Clown
(67,838 posts)Where did you get them? When we get them from some sources, they last a week or so. From other sources, they quickly go round the bend. We have found out that the sources that sell produce that quickly spoils are also selling it very cheap because they buy it from wholesalers as surplus that is too old to meet the first rate sellers' standards.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)The ones right now were $3 a pound.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I buy just about anywhere else.
I bought strawberries at a farmer's market a week ago and the last of them are being eaten today. None went bad.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)Plus my town cancelled its farmers' market.
I've gotten good produce at TJ's, though still rely on the grocery delivery service I've used because produce tends to be heavy and I can only carry so much -- one bag, maybe two. Plus, the walk from the garage to my condo is pretty far.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)Viva_La_Revolution
(28,791 posts)I use a 1/2 cup vinegar to enough water in the sink to cover about 4-5 quarts of berries. They still look wrinkly after a few days in the fridge, but no moldy or nasty ones.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)But moldy ones are disgusting. Thanks!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Like the:
Refreshing Watermelon Drink
Red Velvet Beet Smoothie
kentauros
(29,414 posts)I eat what I want now and freeze the rest.
Alternately, make Strawberry Tuxedos and throw a party that day!
http://howtomakestuff.com/2009/06/02/how-to-make-tuxedo-strawberries/
(Oh, I learned this tip for washing conventionally grown strawberries, though I do it with organic ones, too: wash under a stream of hot water, as that helps lift off more of the pesticides and other residues than cold water.)
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)I'll try hot water, usually use cold. Thanks.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)I originally learned Tuxedo Strawberries in pastry classes. They're incredibly easy to make, too (dip in white chocolate, allow to set up, then dip in dark chocolate and pipe on the bow tie and buttons.)
NJCher
(35,807 posts)If I get a good buy on strawberries, I pretty much figure they are going to go and go soon, so I immediately use them for smoothies. I wash them and put vanilla yogurt over them. The yogurt preserves them until I'm ready to make the full-fledged smoothie.
Here's another idea from the comments section of the link provided above. I just did this one; I'll let you know how it comes out.
Here's another idea from my local strawberry patch in NC. Remove the strawberries - don't rinse or anything! - from the farm's bucket/container and put them in a bowl with a sealable lid. I use a Tupperware bowl. On top of the strawberries, place a paper towel. Put on the lid. Store in the fridge. That's it! And they do last forever (if I don't eat them first!) When I get some out, I usually replace the damp paper towel and wipe off the condensation from the lid.
Cher
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)They're so good at this time of year that I tend to eat them quickly!
pinto
(106,886 posts)I always buy local. Easy for me, I live in CA's strawberry belt. Check out the farmers' markets when local crops come in.
Other than that, I sort, rinse and eat the bruised ones right away...
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)I'm eating ones from California. We've had so much rain this year (4-plus inches last night alone!) that the local crop is not doing well.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)you're ready to eat. And only wash what you're going to eat.
When you get the home, take them out of the plastic container and lay them on a paper towel in a container, try not to stack them. Put a paper towel on top. I usually use a nice square tupperware container set the in there.
It does make a difference in how long they last.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)I do usually wash the entire box when I get them.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)They stay "good" and don't taste like vinegar. Or freeze or eat them
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)There's too much in a box for me to eat in a day.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)I also freeze for later. Last year, I didn't take the stems off and I was sorry. Also, it's better if you freeze them on a sheet of parchment paper and then put them in the bags.
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)pengillian101
(2,351 posts)What a mess trying to remove the stems once they thawed
We have a strawberry farm close-by and have a few plants of my own. We're at least a week or so behind this year. Can hardly wait for fresh, local berries - can't be beat. I vacuum pack and freeze in Foodsaver bags and that seems to work pretty well.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)Thanks! I'll have to drag that out. Unfortunately, the raccoons and I battled and they won. I have to work this one out a little better.