Broccoli is not only a nutritious vegetable , but also filling and highly versatile, making for a great addition to many recipes , sauces and salads . However, it can spoil quickly if not stored in the right place, sadly becoming a waste of food and money. Luckily, there are some simple storage hacks you can implement to extend its freshness and avoid the common mistakes that contribute to premature wilting.
Vlatka Lake, a storage expert at Space Station, told Express.co.uk her top tips to preserve broccoli for up to a week, keeping it crisp and fresh for longer.
“Remember to only wash your broccoli until you are ready to use it – wetting it prematurely can contribute to it spoiling early,” said Vlatka. A key tip she offers is to wrap broccoli loosely in cling film and store it in the fridge’s bottom drawer. This section of the fridge maintains the perfect temperature for vegetables, which helps prevent them from going bad too quickly.
It’s also important to avoid storing broccoli near certain fruits if you want it to stay nice and fresh for longer. “Keep it away from fruits that release ethylene gas such as bananas, apples and pears, as this causes certain produce to ripen early,” explained Vlatka. The ethylene gas accelerates the ripening process of fruits and vegetables, which can lead to your broccoli wilting faster than expected.
If you've already cut your broccoli for convenience, Vlatka suggests placing the pieces on a paper towel to absorb excess moistur.