Practically a brother to the world-famous banana, plantains are far starchier, though lower in fructose sugars. Unlike bananas, they may be eaten either ripe or unripe, but require cooking, hence their moniker of cooking bananas1. According to a research assay conducted by U.C. Davis, the optimal temperature for preservation of plantains is only 50-54°F, so long as the appropriate humidity ...

The carrot’s paler cousin, parsnips are subterranean-growing vegetables originally cultivated by the Roman empire1. With a taste even sweeter than carrots, parsnips soon gained popularity across much of the modern world.  Because of the parsnip’s high sugar content, it is often the prime target of many insects, and must either be consumed immediately or stored properly. Yes, parsnips can be ...

Celery juice has been gaining worldwide attention as a healthy drink, with most food experts recommending a daily morning intake for the best results. But preparing fresh celery juice every day can take a lot of time. Fortunately, freezing celery juice allows for the batching of the preparation process, keeping the routine intact.  Freezing celery juice effectively prolongs its life. ...

Pomegranate, a shrub-grown fruit mostly consumed through its seeds, presents a sweet and juicy snack to most areas of the globe. Contrary to what many people believe, pomegranate is in fact taxonomically considered a berry and not a melon1.   Owing to the large number of individual seeds present within a single pomegranate, it is often necessary to store them either ...

Risotto, traditionally, is an Italian rice dish boiled to the consistency of porridge. Records of risotto being cooked in Milan go back as far as the early 1800s1. Owing to the nature of how the rice in risotto is prepared, a large amount of water and broth proteins are absorbed, providing the perfect bed for bacterial growth. In order to ...

Romaine lettuce, a closely related cousin of the common standard lettuce, is a vegetable that presents vertical green leaves and a sturdy heart. Used in much the same way as ordinary lettuce, romaine lettuce is distinct from its cousin only by its marked resistance to heat1. Yes, romaine lettuce holds up well to the process of freezing, and is best ...

Cabbage, a close cousin to Brussel sprouts, is most often found to be a green leafy vegetable in the shape of a layered sphere. Cabbage may also present the colors of white or violet as well as a more tubular shape, depending on the particular species.  Owing to the unwieldy shape of cabbage in its natural form, many dishes elect ...

Tomatillos, also known as Mexican Husk Tomatoes in the United States, are distant cousins to the more common tomatoes, though their appearance and taste are distinct from one another1. Possessing a more tart and acidic taste than tomatoes, tomatillos are most often used in producing Mexican sauces.  Because of this particular use, tomatillos are best stored for longer periods of ...

Lettuce is a leafy-green vegetable originating in the same taxonomic family as daisies and sunflowers1. Owing to its relative ease at being cultivated and farmed, lettuce is available in nearly every country on Earth.  Though lettuce is an excellent source of nutrition, it can also spoil extremely quickly. Proper care must be taken to store bushels of lettuce in order ...

Maple syrup, an earthy and sweet processed form of Xylem sap, is commonly consumed in nearly every country on Earth. Originating in Canada and the United States, it is most often seen as a condiment atop various baked goods1.  Unlike other types of syrup, maple syrup frequently contains added ingredients in order to brighten its taste. This shortens its shelf-life ...