With the order to shelter in place, you may find yourself cooking more often than before. If you’re turning to shelf-stable and pre-made items because you're worried perishable items like produce will go bad too quickly, we’re here to help! Just check out our four-part plan to make the most out of your produce purchases and get those essential nutrients into your daily diet.

1. Storing:

• Washing: Don’t wash your produce until you’re ready to eat it, as washing too soon can diminish its shelf life.
• Ripening: If you want to ripen your produce (e.g. avocados), place in a paper bag on the counter. To slow the rate of maturation, store produce in the fridge or other cold environment.
• Countertop: Many fruits and vegetables are best stored at room temperature, including bananas, garlic, onions, oranges, potatoes, squash and tomatoes.  
• Wilting: If produce like carrots, lettuce or celery start wilting, place them in a shallow cup of water to perk them up and return their crunch!

2. Preparing:

• Knife Technique: From slicing to dicing and everything in between, knives are important tools in the kitchen, and their proper usage is just as vital. Sharpen your kitchen skills by learning some useful knife handling and cutting techniques! 
• Eating the Whole Produce: Think of the carrot and its lush carrot tops. While you can chop off the carrot tops and compost them, why not eat them instead? Carrot tops are great in salads, stews or mixed veggie sautés!
• Eating the Rainbow: While carrots are commonly orange, did you know they also come in purple, white and yellow? Some other rainbow veggies include asparagus, beets, bell peppers, cauliflower, chard and green beans!

3. Cooking: If you’re looking for a meal that is quick, easy and satisfying, try these simple methods starring seasonal produce!

• Sauté carrots, chard, mushrooms, onions, parsnip or spinach with olive oil.
• Boil or Steam corn, green beans or kale for a healthy side dish, or add to a sauté.
• Roast veggies like asparagus and carrots in a pre-heated oven after tossing with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Serve your veg over riced cauliflower instead of rice for an all-encompassing meal!
• Recipes: If you’re looking for something a bit more precise, check out our collection of delicious signature recipes! 

 4. Other uses: Still have too much produce to eat before it goes bad? Try these quick tips to make your produce last!

• Canning: On your next trip to your local Nugget Markets, pick up a case of Mason jars and try your hand at canning! Following a few easy steps, you can use these jars to preserve your produce until you’re ready to eat. Check out the benefits in these Health Notes by Dr. Liz.
• Freezing: Another great option to use your produce is to prep it, and then store in the freezer in a freezer bag or reusable container. You can use this produce in smoothies, stews, sautés, pies and more!

You did it! You are now knowledgeable about how to cook with produce! If you like what you learned, be sure to share it with your friends on your next video conference hang-out or by sending them to our blog so they can enjoy the perks of produce, too!