Tips and tricks to preserve summer produceHow To: Preserve Summer Produce

Looking for a long weekend activity? How about one that helps fight food waste and rewards your future self with the summer’s most delicious bounty all year long? As much as we love the fall, nothing beats summer produce. The flavors are brighter, the fruit is juicier, and the local variety is unbeatable.

Today we’re sharing some of our favorite preservation tips, so go ahead and stock up at the farmer’s market and join us in making summertime last all year long. 

Waste Warrior tip: pick the “ugly” produce whenever possible. It’s just as delicious and way more likely to end up wasted otherwise. 

TOMATO CONFIT

Tomato season is in full swing and we’re loving all the heirloom varieties! This trick works great with cherry tomatoes, but any kind will do. If you opt for larger, just make sure to chop them and remove the tough core.

Directions:

• In a dutch oven or glass/ceramic baking dish, toss your tomatoes in a good amount of olive oil and salt. Note: You’ll be storing them in this oil so pour liberally.
• Add any additional seasoning of choice (fresh herbs, smashed garlic cloves, chili flakes, shallots, or whatever else you’ve got on hand).
• Roast them in a 300-degree oven for at least 2 hours - more depending on the size of your batch.
• They’ll be juicy, soft and a little caramelized when finished.
• Transfer into jars with all the oil and store in the fridge 1 month, or the freezer for up to 6 months.
• Enjoy them with pretty much everything.
  
  

ANY-KIND-OF-BERRY JAM

Berries are in abundance, but this simple jam works wonderfully with the addition of most seasonal fruits. Mix, match, and experiment with different levels of sweetness to get your perfect flavor. With a little patience, you can skip the pectin and make jam with just 3 ingredients: fruit, sugar, and lemon juice.

Here’s how: 

• Cut your fruit into even pieces and pop a spoon or small plate into the freezer (for checking if the jam is set later on).
  
• In a heavy saucepan, mix sugar and fruit together, using the back of a spoon to mash up the berries to release some of their juices. Start with half a cup of sugar for every 5 cups of fruit, adjusting based on your preferred sweetness.
• Stir in a couple of tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and bring the mixture to a slow boil over medium heat.
• Stir frequently until the mixture starts to thicken up (approximately 20 minutes).
• To check if the jam is set, you can place a dollop onto your frozen spoon or plate. Run your finger through it – if the jam immediately floods back in to fill the gap, keep cooking.
• Transfer finished jam into clean glass jars, leaving a little space at the top, and allow to cool to room temperature before you seal.
• Jam can be stored in the fridge for up to a month - or in the freezer for 3 months. 
  
  

Quick Pickles 

If you find yourself with a surplus of cucumbers, green beans, carrots, squash, onions, or other veggies, consider making some quick and easy pickles. 

Directions:

• Fill a glass jar with your veggies of choice, a few garlic cloves, and your favorite herbs and spices (anything from the traditional dill to chili flakes, mustard seeds, and ginger would be delicious). 
• Bring equal parts vinegar and water to boil, with a couple of teaspoons of salt and a pinch of sugar.
• Pour brine into jar over your ingredients, give it a good shake, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. 
  
  

HOW TO FREEZE PRODUCE

Perhaps the easiest way to preserve summer fruit and veggies is to simply freeze them so that you can enjoy the taste of summer any time of year.

Here’s how:

• Wash, dry, and cut your produce so you’re putting it into the freezer ready-to-eat.
• Place on a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Wait 2-3 hours until the fruit is fully frozen and then transfer into a storage vessel, like freezer-friendly Tupperware or a reusable bag. This will keep your produce from sticking together so you can access whatever portions you need later on.
• When properly frozen, produce will stay good for 9 months.
• Enjoy in smoothies, or allow it to thaw slightly to use in baking, soups, and more!