Avid cooks will know the annoyance of spending money on fresh ingredients only to have them go off before you get the chance to use them. Fresh Farm Deliveries has revealed how to ensure courgettes stay fresh and how to keep them from going mushy. 

The site said that courgettes, like many other foods, can absorb odours from other items stored in the refrigerator due to their porous nature and the circulation of air within the fridge. This makes them lose their natural fresh flavour, so it’s important to store them away from strong-smelling foods in a clean, airtight container to prevent contamination.

Fresh Farm Deliveries also gave advice on how to make courgettes last longer, starting in the supermarket. They suggested opting for small to medium courgettes, no more than six inches long and one to two inches in diameter. Larger courgettes tend to be pulpier and may spoil more quickly. 

They also told home cooks to keep courgettes dry. Thoroughly drying the courgettes before storing them can prevent excess moisture from causing them to rot or wilt quickly.

The grocery delivery service also suggested wrapping courgettes. To prevent them from drying out, wrap them in a paper towel and then place them in a plastic bag. Ensure one end of the bag is open so air can circulate.

Another recommendation was to keep your courgettes cool. They should be stored in the fridge, preferably in the crisper drawer where humidity is kept to a minimum. 

You should also be using courgettes quickly, as they don’t last long even when stored well. When stored properly, courgettes can last up to a week in the fridge.

If you can’t use courgettes within a week, you can also freeze them. After washing and drying them, chop them and put them in a container or a plastic bag, press out the air and seal them.