A lot of people living in Nairobi can attest to the fact that getting access to fresh vegetables straight from the shamba is quite difficult.
So when you get good vegetables, you'll want to stock them uncooked for some time.
Here are a few tips on how one can do this while still guaranteeing that they remain fresh for use:
1. Spinach
These can be preserved by washing them and then leaving them to drip till dry, cut the stalks and completely wrap in a foil and store in the vegetable section of the fridge.
2. Coriander (dania) and Mint
You will need to sort the stems to remove hidden weeds and soil. Wrap them with a serviette, then in cling film and place in a container in the fridge, each labelled to separate the two.
3. Carrots
Buy some time when getting them in bulk by placing them in a container of water in the fridge and making sure the water is changed every other day to keep them fresh.
4. All berries
For berries, always keep them fresh for long by washing using vinegar before storing in the fridge.
5. Potatoes
They will stay longer when you simply recycle brown "khaki" bags and place the potatoes inside then put in a cool dark place.
6. Onions
When buying onions in bulk, ensure that they have been sun-dried properly then place in a ventilated and dry area, with the same rule being applied when preserving garlic.
7. Tomatoes
Keep tomatoes fresh by filling a dry cardboard box with ash and place the tomatoes inside, making sure they are well spaced.
Potatoes and onions should however not be stored together as gases from onions speed up sprouting in the potatoes.
Avocados also ripen faster when placed next to bananas because they emit a gas called ethylene which speeds up ripening.