Sunday, December 21, 2008

Shopping the Cellar

I haven't done any experiments (mainly because I don't, and won't, grow any control veggies to compare against), but I really think that veggies grown organically keep better than those subjected to chemicals. Even so, I know some of the things I store won't make it in storage. I keep a watchful eye on what's in the cellar - using most things in a timely manner, and taking action when there's something that could damage the rest (one bad apple really can spoil the whole bunch).

I do have one dilemma to which I've given a lot of thought. When things are reaching the limit of their storage life, I used to think I should use up the ones going bad first. But that meant I was always getting the worst of the bunch, and I don't like that. If I were shopping at a store, I certainly wouldn't pick the worst veggies I could find, so why should I do that in my cellar? So now I choose the best when shopping my cellar. I do the same the next time I go after something, knowing once again that I'm getting the best of what's there, until all that's left is better going to the chickens or into the compost. I know not everything will make it no matter what I do, and I'm so much happier knowing we're getting the best, every time.

By the way, as I type I'm snacking on a fresh zucchini muffin as the snow starts to fall once again. By letting the last of the summer's crop grow big and then storing them, I really can be eating home-grown zucchini at Christmas time.

7 comments:

Annodear said...

Interesting blog topic! I used to do the same thing with - and feel the same way about - bread.

I'd get home from the grocery store with fresh loaves of a couple different types of bread but feel "obligated" to eat the old first... which meant that I was always eating almost stale bread while the fresh was sitting, waiting.

No more! No more I say! Let the last two slices go to the office with me where sandwiches made will not have to be within sight of the fresh stuff.

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

This post reminds me of my neighbor who said he spent his whole childhood eating rotten apples! He freely admitted that it didn't hurt him any, and he lived to a ripe old age - but maybe your way is better, today I spied 3 winter squash getting bad spots and my first thought was SO SOON, HOW DARE YOU! Warning talking to squash is a sign of cabin fever or ...

I just gave my last zucchini to the hens and they have pecked the shell clean and now I'm using it for a grit container :)

Nancy M. said...

My husband would love a fresh zucchini casserole at Christmas. I have a lot to learn from you.

Anonymous said...

I never really thought about taking the best from the cellar. Thank you for this post! Mmmm, zuchini muffins - my fav!

Anonymous said...

Just passing by, good post.

You are so right, we all do it...use the worst first. No more, I'm glad I stumbled up on you today.

Sol said...

Hello, just popped over from the green coop.

I have read somewhere, that if you wipe squash with a VERY WEAK, solution of bleach and water this will stop them from going bad. Obviously this does knock some of your Organic crudentials on the head. but if you dont want your harvest to go bad, you could give it a try!

Merry Christmas!

Val said...

I have really enjoyed visiting with you. I love your blog.