The Best Way to Wash Fruits and Vegetables

[@SandraV-vt4ec]

After watching one of your first videos about washing fruits and veggies and how you store them in mason jars, I started doing the SAME! Wow! Thank you! I’m so happy I found your video on KZbin! What a blessing! I also bought some cutting boards and decorated my kitchen too!! 😂 love your kitchen! And I shopped on your Amazon page and bought some glass storage containers. Love your KZbin channel! No more plastic! 💕❤️ I store my avocados with my lemons in the fridge as well. Thank you!! Watching from Long Island NY

[@rosemarymccarthy6349]

How do you store lettuce green onions and celery. Lately, after washing, i've been storing them in damp paper towels and bags, and they seem to last way longer Do you have any better tips? And do your green onions in the jar by the window, for a month, attract any bugs?

[@SandraV-vt4ec]

@@rosemarymccarthy6349 I do the same but I don’t use damp paper towels. I wrap all lettuce and celery in dry paper towels and put them in zip lock bags

[@SandraV-vt4ec]

@@rosemarymccarthy6349 I store onions in fridge in a zip lock bag once I cut it

[@Thisisit120]

I just wanted you to know that I seen you when you first came out and made such a big hit on KZbin with washing your produce. I did it it worked fabulously and then I got out of the habit of it, and I thought I just don't have time. Well I have thrown away I don't know how much produce and I have decided I will make time to wash them the proper way so I'm rewatching you today to get the full instructions on how to take care of my fruits and vegetables. And thank you so much.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I am so glad to hear that you are getting back to it. It will save you so much money and produce. Since making this video (my first one) I've made hundreds more on specific produce items which might be more helpful. You can go to my KZbin page and there are playlists for fruits and vegetables where you will find directions for each item that are step by step and easier to learn from if you have trouble with this one. I appreciate your support!

[@jessicaolaiya1254]

Since I started washing berries using your methods everything lasts so much longer. It truly works and I am so thankful!

[@jerisharpe906]

You are such a talented & very pretty woman, thank you for taking the time to teach us ways to save & preserve our good.

[@KGASOUTH]

This Georgia lady is very thankful for you. I watched you three weeks ago surfing KZbin on my television. I tried your method and three weeks in and I am still using my produce. Thank you for what you do.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you for following

[@lisas4453]

while it's easier to reuse water that "looks good" pesticides and herbacides can be invisible and will stay in the water it's best to use fresh water each time....also you can still see the wax build up which holds the pesticides on the grapes and apples and anything waxed so I reco,mmend you add baking soda and it will COMPLETELY remove the build up....liked your video!!!

[@celiajohnson3071]

Agree! ❤

[@marion1157]

how much baking soda would you add?

[@gr8bskt]

@@marion1157 I add 1 or 2 Tablespoons of baking soda. Beware, though - the wash water is so gross! You’ll be so glad you washed them, especially with the grapes.

[@novallegil7791]

​@@gr8bsktI thought it was only 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 quart of water.

[@novallegil7791]

I didn't know that about the grape stems. Good tip!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@t.e.1189]

I am so happy I found your channel. I think your suggestions are going to make a big difference for me. I've learned a lot this last few days. After watching another channel on long term storage of food, I thought of two questions. 1st, have you ever experimented with using desiccants in the jars to remove excess moisture? Apparently they can be reused/recharged. And 2nd, have you ever used a vacuum pump to remove oxygen from the jars like some use when storing dry goods?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

We just filmed a vacuum seal video that should be up in the next 2 weeks so make sure to watch for that. For the moisture absorbers homestly no not really, I am good about saving them out of my supplement bottles but never seems to put them in jars, but they wouldn't hurt to add them. Oxygen absorbers on the other hand can not be reused.

[@t.e.1189]

@@TheCrossLegacy Can't wait for the video.

[@Nrgheal]

How helpful! Thank you!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You're welcome! Be sure to subscribe to see all of my produce videos and tips!

[@ghaniyaal-yafei6244]

You are a great lady. I wash my produce and put vinegar but I don’t rinse the vinegar. I think the acidity on the produce will discourage any bacteria growth .

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Items don't need to be rinsed, I do it when there is a lot of dirt and debris on them. Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope you enjoy my other videos as well.

[@ghaniyaal-yafei6244]

Yes I do! And I am now more diligent on more produce- quite remarkable that they stay fresh for so much longer . I appreciate your good work to make the technique be known to more people through your videos. God bless you

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@ghaniyaal-yafei6244 Thank you

[@Katie-bc2pv]

i peel the carrots and cucumbers b4 i juice.i wash everything else soaked first in bicarb soda.

[@edwardshell1289]

What do you do with a full head of lettuce

[@Pursuit_Of_A_Homestead]

Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try some of these methods out! 🙌🏽 haha I always feel like I’m not washing things as well as I can but I never knew what I could wash them with that wouldn’t then add chemicals or toxic stuff on them. So helpful ! 🥳

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You are welcome! Vinegar works well and is cheap which is why it is what I recommend. I have videos for most individual produce items on my channel as well if you want more specific directions.

[@alicef.9708]

Just found your channel and am enjoying it immensely! I believe you said you store cucumbers in the crisper drawer after washing. My question is how do you keep it fresh once it’s been cut into and not used up totally? Do you cover the cut end somehow?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@alicef.9708 kzbin.info-Cd3gs_Yq5s?si=hdshrzGXwxRfMr0Y. This short video will help ❤️

[@rosemarymccarthy6349]

Was surprised when you said your only produce shop every three weeks. And I didn't see any broccoli cauliflower kale mushrooms Or any of those cruciferous vegetables that are so healthy

[@TheCrossLegacy]

This video was put out in the spring so yes my produce does look different at different times of the year. Kale if it wasn't in the video it was because I had to much in the freezer at the time. Mushrooms I dehydrate so I always have a year supply. Broccoli and cauliflower we eat mostly in the winter time and then fresh in the spring from our garden.

[@janteve6509]

I’m watching for the first time; I can’t tell what you’re adding to the water, or if it’s only water to wash. I can’t tell if you use a scrub brush on some. I need more detail as I’m a beginner. Thanks.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Hi, Thanks for watching! I'm adding vinegar. It is 1/4 cup 5% distilled white vinegar. There's no scrub brush on any of these. I have individual videos for most produce items if you want to see them slowed down with each step discussed, that might be helpful. :)

[@FitJourneywithG]

How do you store your carrots once they’ve been washed? Also, I have always heard never to wash any berries and then store them in glass containers nexhzar they spoil faster that way. They can be stored in glass after purchasing, but washed only right before consuming them. Your thoughts please?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I have personally been storing berries like this for years and we only go grocery shopping once every 3 weeks with zero food waste. Before my tedtalk and writing my first book I did even more research on this method. Berries washed and stored like I teach are safe to eat for the length I recommend, each berry is different and I have tons of videos here about them. www.thecrosslegacy.com/book is where to find the book. I have a carrot video also but I normally store them as sticks in glass Pyrex or a Mason jar.

[@patriciamarshall4884]

I am wondering what you’re adding to the water? Is it vinegar??

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes, 1/4 up 5% distilled white vinegar per 10 cups of water.

[@patriciamarshall4884]

@@TheCrossLegacy thank you 😊

[@jaypagano2053]

My daughter loves washing day cause when she helps she gets to eat the berries that need to be eaten right away haha

[@TheCrossLegacy]

yes, they learn quickly. :)

[@samoriole2028]

How do you store cilantro after drying?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I allow it to dry for a few hours on the counter and then I put it in a glass jar with water like a vase of flowers. Store it in the fridge. You can see the entire process in this video as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDEg5qNaq6eaKs

[@irisana7398]

Wow ,that’s a lot produce 👍

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I shop once every 3 weeks so this is enough for us for that period of time. By washing it in this way, none of it will go bad and I can avoid additional trips to the store.

[@SandraV-vt4ec]

How do you store fresh ginger??? And what vegetables can I store ginger with?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I normally wash it then toss it into the vegetable crisper drawer. You can also freeze it

[@lisas4453]

freezing is best and you can also grate it in advance and it'll also keep in the freezer...it doesn't freeze completely but will last for months....can make ginger garlic paste if you use the two together a lot...pulse in a mini chopper until completely minced and store in refrigerator with a layer of oil on top to keep for weeks or also put in freezer and keep for months WITHOUT the oil

[@chilledjuice1]

What do you use to clean them with water ?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

1/4 cup 5% distilled white vinegar, for two minutes.

[@janteve6509]

What kind of bag do you freeze your celery tops in?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I like using silicone bags like these: amzn.to/3BmvTyb

[@mimihouston557]

Is it vinegar you’re using in the water ? Thanks very much showing us to get organized

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes, 1/4 cup 5% distilled white vinegar per 10 cups of water. Thanks for watching and commenting! :)

[@craftcreek4624]

You should eat the celery leaves…. Like in a salad or shred & put on hot buttery potatoes

[@sarak.2440]

Is the vinegar soak enough to remove any pesticides/fertilizer that might be on the produce? Also what about dirt? Is rubbing by hand enough to clean that? Thanks

[@TheCrossLegacy]

As some one who has been around farming my entire life I truly believe that there is no way to wash off pesticides. They are in the water supply, in the dirt and also grown into the plants. You can use a veggie scrub brush if you want to.

[@sarak.2440]

@@TheCrossLegacy Oh, this is disheartening to hear.. Thank you for replying

[@cgreb31]

How much vinegar do you put in the water? And you soak everything 2 minutes correct?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to 10 cups of water for 2 mins. We have all the different produce items broken out into videos here to give you tips on all of them. www.thecrosslegacy.com/book is the produce book link

[@jessehernandez52]

How much vinegar are you using to clean them 1/4 cup?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes, 1/2 cup vinegar and 10 cups of water.

[@nenagarcia4819]

How do you store cilantro?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDEg5qNaq6eaKssi=QMDeiAwu5fL9jwJG. Here is the cilantro video

[@christinepeters7110]

Hi i store my onions and potatoes in produce bags is that ok?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

They wont last as long. I have videos for both of them.

[@sharonshudark3865]

How much vinegar do you put in . Just started learning

[@TheCrossLegacy]

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to 10 cups of water. www.thecrosslegacy.com/book

[@christinepeters7110]

Hi i have ants and little bugs that fly around so I can't put the produce of towels to dry what would you suggest I do?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Peppermint oil on cotton balls or neam oil spray to help the pest control.

[@delarita47]

What do you add to the water to wash? Is it vinegar added to the water?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

yes distilled white vinegar. I have each produce item broken out into video on my channel so you can get the specifics for each item and also a book www.thecrosslegacy.com/book

[@novallegil7791]

I remove the stems prior to washing my strawberries. It takes me so long to wash my vegetables especially lettuce. I rinse each and every leaf. I buy all organic produce but I hate eating bugs. Romaine lettuce seems to have bugs on it.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Cutting the stems off the strawberries allows oxygen to start getting into them so they will not last as long. If you find that you want them to last longer, consider leaving the stems on. :)

[@kimvenablevenable4656]

When you put your green onions in a jar on the windowsill, Do you change the water daily? Every other day? How often? I always put mine in the fridge. You don't have to do that?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Every 10 days or so. You can put them in the fridge I did that during our kitchen remodel and they were fine but I normally have them on the window or counter

[@gailbezucha4833]

How much vinegar do you put in with raspberries and strawberries?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I have videos for both of those giving all of the extra tips and tricks but it is 10 cups of water to 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar that is 5%. Make sure to only soak for 2 mins and set a timer

[@jackieburnett6881]

That was a lot of produce!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

That's my normal grocery shopping trip

[@ElaineWilkerson-o4k]

What can you store with your sweet peppers?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I normally keep my peppers up on the shelf

[@ElaineWilkerson-o4k]

@@TheCrossLegacy thank you!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@ElaineWilkerson-o4k You're welcome!

[@jric7057]

Why does my strawberries get such condensation on the jar? I do let them dry and then when i use i feel they are a little water logged. Suggestions. Does it mater what kind of jar you use?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Are you setting a timer and only soaking for 2 mins?

[@jric7057]

@@TheCrossLegacy yes i am

[@g.palmer]

How long do you wash the cilantro for? What about broccoli? Please.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Cilantro for two minutes and then I store it in a jar, you can see more in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDEg5qNaq6eaKs Broccoli is also two minutes but I wash it in salt water as opposed to vinegar.

[@leshamonk9311]

😊

[@zonaa.me.]

Is that a quarter cup vinegar?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes

[@carolbain7904]

what happened to the need for filtered water?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@carolbain7904 I use filtered water when I am storing something in water like asparagus

[@carolbain7904]

@@TheCrossLegacy Thank you!

[@NavymomProud]

Is there a particular reason you let the produce air dry rather than dry it with a clean fish towel?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@NavymomProud some items that is ok with thicker skin but berries and greens need to air dry

[@NavymomProud]

@@TheCrossLegacy ok thanks

[@jeanetteathome]

I’m an overthinker so forgive the question but is vinegar really enough to take off the pesticides on them? Thnx

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Pesticides end up in the ground water and grown into the plant no amount of washing is going to remove things that are poorly grown. The vinegar will remove mold spores, e coli, listeria and other harmful pathogens from the produce item.

[@jeanetteathome]

@@TheCrossLegacy ah. Ok. Thank you.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

​@@sherril.562Baking soda and Vinegar shouldn't be mixed together to clean produce because they actually neutralize each other and don't give the benefit from either. So if you were going to wash items again in the baking soda after doing the Vinegar wash, soaking in water for some items like berries for more than 2 mins you will end up with mushy berries that don't last.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

​@@sherril.562 my other option about this is you really can't wash pesticides off and that is why I don't talk about it. Pesticides are in the ground water and soil and grown into the plant. The better choice is to try to buy as much organic as you can and reduce the waste of the produce.

[@gr8bskt]

If you add 1/4 tsp of pure Ascorbic Acid to the wash water, that will remove any chlorine from the water. I wish there was a simple way to remove fluoride.

[@novallegil7791]

I remove the stems prior to washing my strawberries.

[@Cimonne]

What going in that 1/4 cup 😅?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

It's 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar, there are hundreds of videos here on my channel breaking down the washing instructions for different items.

[@ShahinaShaikh-nw6zj]

Why wash the produce before refrigerating?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

It kills off mold spores, e. Coli, listeria and other harmful pathogens and when stored correctly will stay fresh for weeks

[@valjalava1951]

Why do you wash carrots when you have to peel them

[@TheCrossLegacy]

2 reasons. The knife or peeler passes through the dirty peels that normally have mold spores on them into the clean part of the carrots. And I save the peels for stock so I want them clean to use.

[@shirleyc8265]

I would not reuse the water because of pesticides.

[@derekherbert5701]

Your fast!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

It just becomes habit and quicker as I have done this for years every month.

[@Nicole-fj3pt]

I assume you're using venigar, as you never said.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes distilled white vinegar that is 5%. 1/4 cup vinegar to 10 cups of water for 2 mins

[@josephsantiago7724]

Is a half of cup of vinegar with water to wash them 😊

[@TheCrossLegacy]

1/4 cup of vinegar with 10 cups of water. Yes it washes them and removes mold spores, listeria, and other harmful pathogens.

[@allysonmccormack5529]

I see comments about adding vinegar but didn’t actually hear/see any vinegar added …help please .

[@TheCrossLegacy]

It's 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to 10 cups of water for 2 mins. www.thecrosslegacy.com/book has a break down of all of the produce items

[@novallegil7791]

You eat pepper skin and not lemon skin so I would not soak them together.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You don't have to soak any together, people in some parts of the country deal with droughts and worry about wasting water. That isn't a concern here for where I live.