With the news changing minute by minute, nothing is certain anymore.  Which is why it’s so important to stock up on food items that won’t go bad within a few days.  So, the next time you make a grocery run, consider picking up these 9 long-lasting fruits and vegetables.

Apples

Even if you leave them out, fresh apples can last up to four weeks in the pantry.  If you keep them in the fridge, however, they’ll last a whole lot longer – refrigerated apples can last up to two months.  Either way, if the skin appears wrinkled and the insides are soft, your apple has gone bad and it’s time to toss.

Beets

Beets can last between 2-4 months in the refrigerator.  First, cut off the greens if they’re still attached, and then store them in a perforated plastic bag in your vegetable crisper.

Cabbage

This vegetable tends to have a significant shelf-life – around two months.  In order to prolong it, follow these tips: don’t wash cabbage until you’re ready to use it, handle it with care and try to keep it in a hydrator drawer if you can.

Lemons/Limes

These smaller citrus fruits tend to last a fair amount of time (usually a couple of weeks) on the counter.  But, in order to beef up their shelf-life to around two months, toss them in the fridge.  Note: make sure to keep them in the fridge drawer, rather than in plastic bags or containers.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the longest-lasting vegetables out there.  If you leave a bulb uncut, it’ll probably last up to half a year before starting to go bad.  Even the separated cloves will last a month or two.  However, once you chop it, you’ve probably got a week before it spoils.  How do you know garlic is ready to toss?  Once you see brown spots on the cloves, or if they are starting to turn yellow.

Potatoes

These root vegetables will last for 1-2 weeks at room temperature, and up to 2-3 months in a cooler area.  Potatoes shouldn’t be stored in the fridge – refrigeration could cause them to darken and become sweet during cooking.

Oranges

This citrus fruit tends to last around the same amount of time as lemons and limes.  Fresh oranges will keep for two or three weeks out in the kitchen.  However, if you keep them in the fridge, they should stay good for up to two months.

 

 

Carrots

Whole, fresh carrots tend to last around four or five weeks, while the baby versions typically don’t make it any longer than four.  Once a carrot is cooked, however, it’s unlikely to last beyond the end of the week.

Squash

This root vegetable naturally tends to have quite a formidable shelf-life.  If it’s fresh and whole, squash will last anywhere from a month up to three months, regardless of whether you refrigerate them or not.  However, it is generally believed that it’s best to keep it on the counter.

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