Bell peppers - keeping them fresher longer

[Anonymous]

We need some bell peppers to last about 10 days in the fridge. What's the best way to help ensure that happens? They won't be cut, at least initially.

We're taking a vacation and they're for our pet sitter to feed our guinea pigs. I'm just seeing if we "need" to ask a neighbor to restock mid trip or not. I'm hoping not. We don't have an issue with 7 days, but we haven't done 10 until now (and have future plans for 14).

[Anonymous]

Would frozen work? You can get diced bell peppers in the frozen vegetable section of the supermarket?

[Anonymous]

The bell peppers I get from Costco last at least 2 weeks in the fridge. The ones from Safeway, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Mine keep longer if I store them loosely wrapped in a plastic produce bag. First make sure they are free of any cuts or soft spots, and completely dry (any water on the outside will lead to rotting). You can add a paper towel inside the bag also to absorb any moisture. They easily last 2 weeks that way. If they are only using a part of a pepper at a time, store the cut leftover section separately from the remaining whole peppers.

If you need to pre-cut, I'd freeze them in slices and have the pet sitter pull a few out each day, and transfer them to the fridge to thaw (to feed the next day). Even if you store enough whole peppers in the fridge, it might not be a bad idea to have a backup supply in the freezer in case the main stash does rot.

[Anonymous]

Debbie Meyers Green Bags. I swear by these for all produce. You could get at least 2 but more likely 3+ weeks with them for peppers.

[Anonymous]

NP. Can you tell me about the green bags that help the produce last longer? Do you store lettuce in them too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would frozen work? You can get diced bell peppers in the frozen vegetable section of the supermarket?

Nope, they can't have frozen produce.

[Anonymous]

Bell peppers from Whole Foods last for at least a week in our vegetable compartment - and probably more, but we eat them before that. Pick some really fresh ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Can you tell me about the green bags that help the produce last longer? Do you store lettuce in them too?

Yes, I store lettuce and pretty much every other vegetable in them. I couldn't tell you how they work, but they're a little magic. They take the pressure off of having to use produce ASAP before it goes bad considerably. The only things I don't use them for are any produce I don't refrigerate (tomatoes, avocadoes, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Oddly enough, wrapping them in aluminum foil helps them keep longer, but yes, green bags are the best.