A short two miles from where I live is a produce outlet called Produce Junction where buying fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and eggs in bulk makes for super savings. If I'm careful, I can save a bundle. When oranges in the supermarket are a dollar each, I can get the same variety and quality at Produce Junction for one-third the cost, so long as I buy a minimum of six. Same goes for celery: in the supermarket, $2.29 a bunch; at the bulk outlet, two beautiful bunches for two dollars, but I have to buy two to get the deal.
Finding these super-saving deals is a mixed blessing when planning meals and cooking for one. The prices can't be beat, but just how much can I buy without some of it going to waste?
I've learned a few quick ways to make sure the bargain-priced produce doesn't spoil in the fridge or on the counter.
For example, squeezing six oranges for fresh orange juice, which I will easily drink within two days. Or making a double-batch of kielbasa and cabbage using two huge cabbage heads and freezing the finished dish in individual serving packages. Or buying five pounds of apples to make homemade applesauce, which will keep in the refrigerator for a long time.
For example, squeezing six oranges for fresh orange juice, which I will easily drink within two days. Or making a double-batch of kielbasa and cabbage using two huge cabbage heads and freezing the finished dish in individual serving packages. Or buying five pounds of apples to make homemade applesauce, which will keep in the refrigerator for a long time.
Even though I do plan my weekly menu before a shopping trip to Produce Junction, their beautiful offerings make it hard to stick to a list. What's worked the best to keep from over-buying is to have only 10 dollars in my pocket. Believe me, it works!
Photo Source: awottawa
How to buy fresh fruit and veggies economically is a problem I have, too. You've come up with some wonderful solutions here. Lettuce, even when it isn't on sale, is most irksome. You can't squeeze or freeze it, so I either have to eat a lot of green salad until it's gone, or buy the smallest head to begin with which offends my penny-pinching side because a small head is the same price as a large one.
ReplyDeleteI have, however, found my salad spinner is worth every penny I paid for it. If I spin the lettuce absolutely bone dry (after washing, of course), then store in an air-tight container, it last much longer than if not spun dry.
Right you are on every count! Great tip about the salad spinner. Another way to use lettuce before it goes bad is to slice it thinly and add it to a stir fry. I'm not very fond of it, but many are.
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