SHOULD YOU REFRIGERATE BELL PEPPERS?
Should you refrigerate bell peppers?
Crispy, crunchy bell peppers are one of the easiest ways to add color to your dishes. Available in the colors of green, orange, red and yellow, peppers are a popular vegetables for good reason: they shine in many dishes. We love to break them in half and cook them in vegetarian, sliced and put in crunchy salads, diced for pasta sauce, and added to hearty stews. Although their appeal is undeniable, there may be some uncertainty about how best to store them. Should you refrigerate peppers or is it better to store them at room temperature. How to store leftover of a bell pepper?
The best way to store bell pepper
Bell peppers love to be stored in the cold. For this reason, the vegetable should always be stored in the refrigerator. Bell peppers stored on the counter last about five days, but in the refrigerator they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Not that they will rot or mold if left in the fridge overnight.
Read also:HOW TO FREEZE TOMATOES SO YOU CAN ENJOY THEM WHENEVER YOU WANT
Fridge location matters
Remember, however, that not all refrigerators are the same. It makes a difference where and how to store pepper in the refrigerator. If not stored properly, vegetables can lose their crunchy texture. Humidity is the key here, because too much moisture can cause peppers to lose their crunch, Placing the peppers in a resealable bag and storing them in front of the crisper drawer. When stored this way, peppers retain their shiny, smooth skin, sweet flavor, and crunchy texture.
A less optimal alternative
If for some reason you cannot store peppers in the refrigerator, the best alternative is somewhere dry and at room temperature. Try a pantry or a shelf. And never keep them on the counter next to the stove.
Different types bell peppers
Freezing peppers
If you have a large crop in your garden or buy more than you can use, peppers can be refrigerated for up to three months.
To freeze peppers:
- Wash and dry the pepper.
- Remove the stems, seeds and skin and chop them. (This saves space in the freezer and means the bell pepper is ready to use.)
- Spread the pepper on a sheet of rimmed water and dry until it hardens.
- Transfer to a freezer bag, removing all air from the bag before sealing.
Read also:CAN YOU FREEZE EGGPLANT? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Storing leftover bell pepper
Cut bell peppers do not last as long as whole peppers. If you plan to use only half of the pepper, storing the other half in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. The best way to save half is to keep the stems and seeds if you can and store them in the refrigerator like you would cook peppers. If kept in the crisper drawer and allowed to dry, the pepper stays fresh, ripe and ready to add to stews for two or three days.
However, soft pepper, whether full or half, which is soft rather than crunchy, does not need to be thrown away. Mild pepper perfect for grilling and tossing into soups and stews. You can sauté them, sauté them for fajitas, or even use them to add a little veggie flavor to stir-fry.
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