Monday, April 16, 2012

No More Bye Bye Berry!

Okay, stop fretting about your taxes for a minute and check out this dandy tip from my friend, Jane.  And not a moment too soon, with berry season just about to burst all around us. 

How often have you carefully selected a gorgeous container of red, ripe strawberries, savored a few at a time, and then reached the bottom of the basket only to discover that the last few are covered with . . . well, what the heck is that anyway?  Looks like miniature dust bunnies to me (or worse), but I know for sure it's not a food group.  Well, no more -- here's your solution:

When you get your beautiful berries home, dump them into a big bowl and swirl them around in a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider) to ten parts water.  After swirling, rinse them in plain water, pat dry, and pop them into the fridge.  The vinegar helps to kill the mold-causing spores and bacteria lurking in those little berry bodies, so now you should be able to enjoy each and every scrumptious morsel.  Let me know how it works for you.  And thank you, Jane!

5 comments:

Granny Blogger said...

I shall certainly try this suggestion. I also find that with raspberries I place a dry paper towel over the top of the berry container before storing and turn it upside down so the top becomes the bottom. I have fewer moldy ones since there is a dryer storage area. The plastic sheet in the bottom of those containers often seems to me to encourage mold. I have been reluctant, however, to wash before use since I felt it was the soggy conditions that contributed to the molding. Always great to hear some new ideas!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Awaiting more posts!

Marilyn said...

Granny Blogger, I've never heard of turning them upside down -- another great tip. Thanks!

beth said...

Great suggestion! Also, I love those pyrex rectangular dishes with plastic lids from Whole Foods, to store my precious strawberries!

Marilyn said...

Beth, thanks for the tip about the Pyrex containers at Whole Foods. With all these helpful suggestions, we'll all be enjoying beautiful berries this spring!