By Nina Andres

Do you have trouble finishing the contents of your FarmShare? I’ve learned a thing or two over the years while juggling farming and raising two young children. Here are some tips for eating those fruits and veggies that are so good for you!

Eating well does not take a lot of preparation time, if you have done the hard part, which is to get the good food into your home. All of the ingredients in your FarmShare can be prepared in less than half and hour, and many of them take much less time. Also, because the foods are in season, fresh, and flavorful, they need minimal input for enjoyment.

Are you looking for a snack? Forget the chips and crackers…Reach for a melon, peach, or grapes first. Eat them plain, or make a smoothie. If you are adventurous, slice a cucumber or tomato and squeeze lime juice and add salt (and hot sauce too! Yum!).

Need a quick dinner? Steam some rice and sauté green beans or eggplant with tomatoes and garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Or chop some veggies (potatoes, onions, tomatoes, summer squash, beans, and garlic) and salt and pepper, add to water and cook and you have a quick, healthy stew. Another idea: try sautéed summer squash and onions with quesadillas on the side. 15 minutes!

If you are busy, try to eat the items that don’t keep as long first, then when you have time, you can prepare the others, without wasting them.

What keeps the longest?
These items should last 5 days or more….

• Onions and garlic (store on counter)
• Potatoes (store in a paper bag in a dark, dry, cool place in the kitchen)
• Eggplant (store in crisper of refrigerator)
• Summer Squash (store in crisper of refrigerator)
• Cherry tomatoes, red tomatoes (store on counter away from heat and light)
• Basil (store in a jar of water on counter, covered loosely with a paper or plastic bag, away from heat and light)
• Cucumbers (store in crisper of refrigerator)
• Carrots (remove tops before storing in crisper of refrigerator)

What may not keep as long?
These items may last fewer than 5 days….

• Fresh fruit (store on counter to ripen, in refrigerator to slow ripening process)
• Heirloom tomatoes (store on counter, eat before soft)
• Corn (cut the tip off before storing or preparing)
• Green Beans (store in crisper of refrigerator)
• Fresh greens (store in crisper of refrigerator)

Make it a goal to eat at least one item in your FarmShare each day!