What's the best way to store bell peppers?

[redkitty]

Do you put your peppers in the fridge when you bring them home? Would they stay fresh longer if I did? I keep them in my fruit bowl (cool area no direct sunlight) and when I buy them they are not refrigerated.

Me confused...

[Snoop Puss]

I keep mine out of the fridge in a shady spot. Never put tomatoes in the fridge either. Peppers and tomatoes seem to stay sweeter if they're not chilled.

[Uncle Bob]

Miss Kitty...

Put those peppers in the refrigerator! Produce of that type is in the 90% range just water...At room temperature the peppers are losing moisture big time...causing them to shrivel...Put them in your crisper!!

[Katie H]

The peppers I KNOW I'm going to use within about a week I keep in the crisper drawer of my refrigerator.

Most of the time, I will cut the peppers into quarters and freeze them. Even though they've been frozen, I have never had a problem using them in stir-fry dishes, soups, stews, casseroles, meat loaf, etc. I just don't use them in salads or in recipes where it is obvious the pepper should be market fresh. Been doing this for close to 30 years with no problems.

[redkitty]

Thanks kids! They are now happily in the crisper staying nice and cool!!!

[babyhuggies]

i keep my peppers in the fridge..always have.

Katie when you freeze the peppers do they change in color? And don't they get a bit "squishy"

[Katie H]

Originally Posted by babyhuggies

Katie when you freeze the peppers do they change in color? And don't they get a bit "squishy"

There has never been a change in color. They don't really get "squishy." As they thaw they do give off some of their moisture so I thaw them on some paper towels and let the towels absorb it. Actually, I've discovered they are much easier to mince/chop when they're slightly frozen.

[BreezyCooking]

I always keep mine in the fridge as well, where they seem to keep quite nicely for up to 2 weeks without getting "squishy". I just make sure the bag they're in is either open or has a hole in it somewhere to allow air exchange.

[Candocook]

In the fridge. Definitely. If suddenly you can't use them up, either freeze instrips, as someone suggested, for cooked dishes, or roast them and freeze for roasted peppers (usually red).

[babyhuggies]

thanks katie i'm going to have to try and freeze some,don't always have them when i want them.How long can they stay in the freezer?

[Katie H]

Originally Posted by babyhuggies

thanks katie i'm going to have to try and freeze some,don't always have them when i want them.How long can they stay in the freezer?

Even though it's only the two of us here, I still buy about a half dozen or so peppers (of assorted colors for variety) regularly and usually use them within a couple of months.

[Snoop Puss]

Originally Posted by Katie E

Even though it's only the two of us here, I still buy about a half dozen or so peppers (of assorted colors for variety) regularly and usually use them within a couple of months.

Maybe this is the difference. I use peppers I buy within a few days. I don't even mind if they dry out a bit - they're no good raw like that but you get a slightly more concentrated flavour when they're cooked and the whole cooking process seems to plump them back out.

[Katie H]

Originally Posted by Snoop Puss

Maybe this is the difference. I use peppers I buy within a few days.

Wish we had the luxury of being able to do that, Snoop. We live nearly 30 miles from the nearest good market so I have to buy more than can be used in a couple of days.

[redkitty]

Originally Posted by Katie E

Wish we had the luxury of being able to do that, Snoop. We live nearly 30 miles from the nearest good market so I have to buy more than can be used in a couple of days.

Wow, 30 miles! And I thought our 2 mile round trip walk was far!!

[Mel!]

Hello RedKitty

If I am not using them, on the day I buy them, I put them in the fridge. It does keep them fresh longer.
Or if the temperatures are not going below zero or above 8, I put them in the garden. Leaves me with more room, in the fridge.

Mel

[kimbaby]

they go in my fridge b/c I like chilled peppers in my salads, if I am cooking with them it doesn't much matter, but I love raw chilled green bell peppers...