439156 Fri Sep 07 14:11:35 -0700 2007 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 2920752 I have to travel quite a bit for work, and sometimes have to do so on the proverbial drop of a dime. Besides wrecking havoc with life outside of work, it tends to create problems with the food at home. Sometimes I'll go grocery shopping, stock up, and then the next day learn that I'll be out of town for the next 5 days. Sigh. There goes those bananas and tomatoes ... So, can anyone share any tips on how to store foods to make them stay fresh longer? Either in the fridge or packaging-wise? Thanks. Fri Sep 07 14:11:35 -0700 2007 11583 ipsedixit 1 2920780 Store fresh herbs in glass jars with tight covers...keeps basil, dill, parsley fresh for at least a week. I learned this tip here at Chowhound. Before that, my basil would collapse into a black soggy mess, the parsley & dill ditto. One of the best food storage tips ever! Bravo, Chowhounds! Fri Sep 07 14:18:51 -0700 2007 2920752 11069 fauchon 1 2920786 Seriously ... most food in glass jars in the fridge will keep for weeks. Glass jars actually revivie rasperries. I'll let you know about the figs .... so far four days and still perfect. http://www.chow.com/digest/799 I had a cut onion last 2 months in a glass jar. It won't work for a banana, but if you know you will be gone, throw the bananas in the fridge if they are ripe. The skin will turn black, but the fruit is fine. They just don't really ripen further. Fri Sep 07 14:19:54 -0700 2007 2920752 10264 rworange 2 2920793 Thanks fauchon and rworange. When you folks say glass jars, any type in particular? Fri Sep 07 14:21:47 -0700 2007 2920786 11583 ipsedixit 3 2920805 Nope. IMO, mason jars are marginally better, but I have a lot of old glass mayo jars that work almost as well. The plastic caps don't seal as well as the metal mason lids. However, a plastic jar is useless. Gotta be glass and as airtight as possible. Fri Sep 07 14:25:53 -0700 2007 2920793 10264 rworange 4 2921207 Thanks. Maybe I can start storing my green onions in all those old Heinz Ketchup bottles ... Fri Sep 07 16:42:14 -0700 2007 2920805 11583 ipsedixit 3 2922106 I use French or Italian canning jars. They have rubber gaskets that ensure an airtight seal. I keep a few on hand in different sizes and buy them at my local kitchenware shop but you can find them on line. Here's a link but other sites sell them as well. Just search Google for "French canning jar..." http://www.kitchenworksinc.com/catalog.php?mode=publicviewitemdetail&ref=17575 Sat Sep 08 06:03:12 -0700 2007 2920793 11069 fauchon 2 2921306 Or toss the bananas in the freezer--the start of a perfect smoothie. Fri Sep 07 17:17:17 -0700 2007 2920786 58743 alanbarnes 1 2921319 Tupperware has a line of products called "fridge smart." They come in a lot of shapes and sizes. I have found it to extend the life of produce to weeks instead of days. Fri Sep 07 17:21:40 -0700 2007 2920752 117292 Shayna Madel 1 2921512 A foodsaver is what you need. I often use mason jars and can re-vacuum seal the contents or put things in vacuum bags where they will stay fresh for what seems ages. They also have a selection or reusable cannisters for dry goods, or refrigerator storage. Mine has paid for itself many times over. I've put salad green in one of their vacuum canisters and it was fresh for over two weeks. Seriously, those things are worth the cost. Fri Sep 07 18:51:22 -0700 2007 2920752 22801 bkhuna