Perhaps every house will have a refrigerator, but there will be cases where you cannot preserve food in the refrigerator such as when there is a power outage or when traveling or maybe because your refrigerator is full. Below are some tips to help you preserve meat and fish without using a refrigerator.
Preserving vegetables without a refrigerator
To keep vegetables fresh without a refrigerator, you can apply the following tips:
1. Choose fresh vegetables:
- You should buy vegetables early in the morning or in the cool afternoon when they are just picked and still fresh.
- Choose vegetables that are brightly colored, not crushed, yellowed or wilted.
- Avoid buying vegetables that have been cut, peeled or bruised.
2. Prepare vegetables before storing:
- Do not wash vegetables before storing because water will cause vegetables to spoil quickly.
- Cut off any yellow, wilted or crushed leaves.
- For some vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, etc., you can dry them in the sun before storing.
3. Specific preservation methods for each type of vegetable:
Green leafy vegetables:
- Wrap leafy greens in paper towels or paper bags to absorb excess moisture.
- Place vegetables in a container or food bag with holes punched in it for ventilation.
- Store vegetables in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
Vegetables:
- Store fruits and vegetables in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
- For some vegetables such as potatoes, onions, etc., they can be stored in the kitchen cabinet.
Fruit:
- Store fruit in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
- For some fruits like bananas, apples, etc., they can be stored in the kitchen cabinet.
In addition, you can apply some of the following tips to preserve fresh vegetables longer:
- Soak vegetables in diluted salt water: Soaking vegetables in diluted salt water for about 10 minutes before storing will help kill bacteria and mold, keeping vegetables fresh longer.
- Using baking soda: Baking soda has the ability to absorb moisture and deodorize, helping vegetables stay fresh longer. You can sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of a box or bag of vegetables before storing.
- Using vinegar: Vinegar also has the ability to deodorize and prevent mold. You can dilute vinegar with water and spray it on vegetables before storing.
Preserving meat and fish without a refrigerator
To preserve meat and fish without using a refrigerator, you can apply some of the following methods:
1. Using salt:
- Salt has the ability to absorb moisture and disinfect, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
- You can sprinkle salt on the fish or soak the fish in diluted salt water before storing.
2. Using vinegar:
- Vinegar also has disinfecting and mold-preventing properties.
- You can dilute vinegar with water and spray it on fish or soak fish in diluted vinegar solution before storing.
3. Using lemon:
- Lemons contain citric acid which helps prevent the growth of bacteria.
- You can squeeze lemon juice and apply it to the fish meat or soak the fish meat in diluted lemon juice before storing.
4. Use honey:
- Honey has antioxidant properties and helps keep fish meat moist.
- You can apply honey to the fish meat or soak the fish meat in honey before storing.
5. Drying:
- Drying is a traditional method of preserving meat and fish.
- You can dry the fish meat in the sun or use a dryer to dry the fish meat.
6. Using charcoal:
- Charcoal has the ability to absorb moisture and deodorize.
- You can put meat or fish in a charcoal-lined food container or bag before storing.