How to Preserve Fresh and Delicious Vegetables without a Refrigerator

Have you ever noticed that cucumbers spoil quickly, become cold, or wrinkle when we store them in the refrigerator?

With the development of science and technology, we have become overly dependent on devices to the point where we forget the efficient ways our ancestors used to preserve food before refrigerators were invented.

Jihyun Ryou, a Korean designer, noticed this and came up with a project called “Save Food from the Fridge” which can be understood as Traditional Food Preservation when there was no refrigerator.

She met with farmers and grandparents from the previous generation to gather knowledge for her idea, and let’s admire her designs along with the traditional food preservation knowledge!

I. Preserving Apples and Potatoes

Ethylene gas from certain fruits such as apples can accelerate the ripening/spoilage process of many other foods but restrict the sprouting process of potatoes. So you should store them together.

II. Preserving Carrots

Root vegetables like carrots or onions should be kept upright just like when they are still in the soil; that way, they will last longer.

It’s best to bury them in sand like in the picture above. Jihyun Ryou also suggests adding a small water funnel to keep the sand moist and thus prolong the freshness of the vegetables.

III. Preserving Eggs

Eggs should also be kept outside as they will taste better because eggshells have tiny holes that are enough for the odor of other foods to seep in and affect the taste of the eggs.

Jihyun also designed a glass cup for easy checking of the freshness of eggs; fresh eggs will sink and lie flat. Older eggs will float vertically.

IV. Preserving Various Fruits

Vegetables like bitter melon, Da Lat chili, or cucumbers should be preserved outside the refrigerator, placed on a rack with a water tray beneath to maintain moisture.

V. Preserving Spices

Spice powders will last longer and not clump together thanks to the rice grains on the lids of special boxes that have moisture-absorbing properties.

What do you think about the vegetable preservation methods above? Of course, there are simple ways and also quite complicated ways. You should apply these vegetable preservation methods depending on your circumstances and the space in your house!