How To: Preparing and Storing Greens/Veggies

[DragonCleopatra]

Thanks for making a thread on this.

 

[021414]

No problem!! I'm going to add more as time goes on.

 

[Jrl6130]

Wow awesome post!!! I think you answered all the questions I had about storage lol!

 

[WandererLA]

So any tips on cutting up butternut squash? I bought some already cubed ones and I tried to grate them (like I do with the carrots) and they sort of turn to mush. My baby beardie doesn't seem to interested. So should I just try slicing them then - I am not that great with knife skills.

 

[fancybearded]

Zuchini?

 

[021414]

Butternut squashes have the same overall configuration as the summer squashes described above, so essentially the same instructions would apply. Since butternut squash is bigger than the two previously described squashes, I would cut a cross section of the squash where you cut the "head" off just below the stem and then grate pieces of squash with your cheese grater. I think the thinner the slices, the better.

Let us know if that works!

So any tips on cutting up butternut squash? I bought some already cubed ones and I tried to grate them (like I do with the carrots) and they sort of turn to mush. My baby beardie doesn't seem to interested. So should I just try slicing them then - I am not that great with knife skills.

 

[021414]

Zucchini is also a type of squash. I prepare it using the same method as that for yellow summer squash.

Zuchini?

 

[fancybearded]

Thanks. .. I was wondering if zucchini was bearded approved.

 

[joea]

Nice! Very informative. Thanks, I will use them. I'm currently storing the bulk of ours outside. :mrgreen: I fridge some so I don"t have to pick in the dark morning. But not as much as I want to tho. :roll:

 

[021414]

Nice! Very informative. Thanks, I will use them. I'm currently storing the bulk of ours outside. :mrgreen: I fridge some so I don"t have to pick in the dark morning. But not as much as I want to tho. :roll:

I WISH I could grow all of those fresh veggies for my bearded dragon and myself! Any tips on growing (when to plant, harvesting to promote regrowth)?

 

[LLLReptile]

What I do instead of mincing my solid veggies like carrots, squash, etc is to use a cheese grater and just grate the veggies onto the greens. Easier than mincing and less time consuming, and I just grate the end of the veggie and then re-cover it in the fridge.

I have had the most success with long term green storage (of all kinds, including mustard greens) by rinsing them thoroughly, chopping them up, then using a salad spinner to get excess moisture off. From there, it's into a jumbo plastic bag, and I just feed off greens as I need them. I also eat a lot of salad personally, so I usually go through it all in about a week, but it's still crisp and fresh at the end of that first week. My animal-specific mixes have lasted up to 10 days before I fed off all the greens completely.

-Jen

 

[mommisgurl]

GREAT thread! It's hard to keep things fresh because like you I only have one beardie..And Alot of it gets spoiled quick,until I learned a few things to keep them green! What a lifesaver!
I usually use a ziplock bag,and trim the good leaves off of the main root of the plant,and then take all the air out,and whenever I take out more greens,I wipe the inside of it to keep the moisture away. I think I'll try cutting everything up to see if I can keep it fresh even longer!

 

[joea]

I WISH I could grow all of those fresh veggies for my bearded dragon and myself! Any tips on growing (when to plant, harvesting to promote regrowth)?

It's very easy once you get the soil prepped. I love garden fresh tomato's.
Tips on growing- A few bags of vegetable soil amendment. Pony packs of greens/veggies for quicker results.
When to plant- Year-round down here for greens, lettuces, & cole crops :mrgreen: Check your planting zone for Planting times.
Harvesting to promote regrowth- Not sure, 1st time gardening 4 a bd. I harvest the lower leaves. Stagger planting/seed times for longer supply time.

What I do instead of mincing my solid veggies like carrots, squash, etc is to use a cheese grater and just grate the veggies onto the greens. Easier than mincing and less time consuming, and I just grate the end of the veggie and then re-cover it in the fridge.

I have had the most success with long term green storage (of all kinds, including mustard greens) by rinsing them thoroughly, chopping them up, then using a salad spinner to get excess moisture off. From there, it's into a jumbo plastic bag, and I just feed off greens as I need them. I also eat a lot of salad personally, so I usually go through it all in about a week, but it's still crisp and fresh at the end of that first week. My animal-specific mixes have lasted up to 10 days before I fed off all the greens completely.

-Jen

I use the grater also. I've been wanting a salad spinner for the last two Christmases with no avail . Americas Test Kitchen did a spin-off on some top models. I've heard good stuff about Silvermark Microfiber salad bags. I might look into it for extended storage times. Hey Jen are you going to be at the O'side store Saturday for the Big Moving Sale? YEA!!! We'll be there for sure!

 

[rafa2k]

where do you buy Dandelion Greens? I checked my local grocery store and didn't find any. Does super Walmart carry them or do I need to go to a farmers market type store?

 

[021414]

Where are you located? I am able to get them at Savemart, Safeway, Raleys, and organic stores like Sprouts/Whole foods. I haven't checked Super WalMart yet though.