When most people think of good housekeeping and homemaking their thoughts suddenly shift to cleaning and the preparation of meals for the family; but as more and more people are concerning themselves with what they are eating, in terms of getting enough nutrients into their bodies; what could be better than bringing you some great hints, tips and advice to aid you in your weekly supermarket shopping trips? The food stuff I’ll be concentrating on here is vegetables.
Care must be taken when buying vegetables - such as roots, salad greens and herbs - to ensure they are fresh and what’s more they stay fresh for at least a couple of days after you first purchase them.
The freshness factor is of extreme importance in terms of bringing the optimum level of nutritious goodness you’d expect from them, and additionally the freshness of taste they should add to the meals in which they are used.
In order to help you make the most of your grocery shopping I have devised a handy little table, which will show you, what to, and what not to look out for when buying vegetables.
| VEGETABLE
| WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR | WHAT NOT TO LOOK OUT FOR |
| Asparagus | Crisp snap when broken
| Softness or a limp nature |
| Aubergines | Full and heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| Soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Avocados | Full and heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| Soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Borlotti | Leatherlike pods which look full and brimming with beans
| Any which look disheveled
|
| Broad beans | Smooth and even pods
| Brown dimples on the pods
|
| Broccoli | Nice vibrant green colour
Firm stems
| Dull green colour
Limp bunches and stems
|
| Brussel Sprouts | Vibrant green colour
Nice and firm
| Dullness and softness
|
| Cabbage | Nice firm head
| Brown marks
Signs of mould
|
| Carrots | Bright skin
Crunch when snapped
| Limpness
Sprouting
|
| Cauliflower | Firmness and heaviness
White or bright cream coloured head
| Signs of mould and brown spots
|
| Celeriac | Heavy in relation to size
Firm bulbous roots
Relatively smooth surface
| Cracking
Signs of mould
|
| Celery | Crisp snap when they are broken
| Softness or a limp nature |
| Chillies | Heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Cucumber | Heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Flageolet | Leatherlike pods
Full and brimming with beans
| Any which look disheveled
|
| French beans | Crisp pods
Vibrant green pods
| Limp, brown or wrinkled
|
| Garlic | Tight skin
Nice and rounded
| Soft when squeezed
Sign of mould
Any which are sprouting
|
| Leeks | Bright green tops
Firm and straight
Clean, white bottoms | Bulb like ends
Limp and dry |
| Lettuce | Crisp green leaves | Limpness and yellowness
Sliminess |
| Mange tout | Crisp pods
Vibrant green pods
| Any which are limp, brown or wrinkled
|
| Mushrooms | Fresh smell
Smooth and dry Skin | Blemishes and sliminess |
| Onions | Tight skin
Nice and rounded
| Soft when squeezed
Sign of mould
Any which are sprouting
|
| Peppers | Heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Potatoes | Nice and firm | Sprouting and green patches
Signs of mould
Wrinkles |
| Runner beans | Crisp pods
Vibrant green pods
| Limp, brown or wrinkled
|
| Shallots | Tight skin
Nice and rounded
| Soft when squeezed
Sign of mould
Any which are sprouting
|
| Spinach | Crisp green leaves | Limpness and yellowness
Sliminess |
| Spring onions | Straight firm stems
Bright green shoots/leaves
Beautiful fresh smell | Sliminess
Limpness |
| Squash | Heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| soft, wrinkled, bruised
|
| Sugar snap peas | Crisp pods
Vibrant green pods
| Any which are limp, brown or wrinkled
|
| Swede | Heavy in relation to size
Firm bulbous roots
Relatively smooth surface
| Cracking
Signs of mould
|
| Sweet corn | Plump cobs with full green husk
Tightly packed full kernels
Cream coloured kernels | Brown marks and signs of mould |
| Tomatoes | Heavy in relation to their size
Brightly coloured skins
| Soft, wrinkled, bruised, have broken skin
|
| Turnip | Heavy in relation to size
Firm bulbous roots
Relatively smooth surface
| Cracking
Signs of mould
|
This list on buying vegetables should give you all the firepower you’ll need in your battle in purchasing food which is fit for your’s and your family’s consumption as well as providing with the optimum level of nutrients which you’d expect from particular vegetables.
