Clean, Fresh Produce

By Wanda Urban

These days, you can get just about any kind of produce year round, but the summer months afford us the opportunity to enjoy produce that hasn’t been cruising along Route 66 for a week or more.

With any produce you purchase from a supermarket, it is very important to wash or rinse it thoroughly to remove surface dirt or lingering traces of pesticides.

In some cases, the cold-water rinse alone will not suffice as some fruits and vegetables are thinly coated with waxes, that although not considered harmful, could seal in pesticides that are applied to the produce.

For best results, scrub thoroughly, or where possible, peel your produce to ensure you eliminate any traces of pesticides. Better still, buy from local growers that do not wax their produce. If you don’t have access to a local farmer’s market, consider purchasing ‘organic’ fruits and vegetables from your supermarket. In most cases, they are unwaxed.