Prechopping veggies?

[Ianthe]

Is it ok to buy veggies for the week, chop them all up and put in a tupperware, so that one does not have to chop every or twice a day? Or is it best to keep remaining parts of the veg whole before next use?

Oh! Also, should I wash them, and (I guess the answer will be yes) how so? I never washed veg for myself, because I am too lazy and think that I am invincible to illnesses anyway. But since they are so small and delicate I will do it for them if I have to. Hey, maybe I will start eating better myself because of them...

[Fay]

You can chop up your veggies for a number of days, Some people do this. I've tried it but noticed that on the 4th day the veggies quality started to degrade.

As for washing veggies, it's important to do this because it can still contain poison and dirt/bugs. You could contract all kind of diseases that way and your pigs as well.

[webjetter]

Washing the veggies and leaving them wet also gives your piggers some extra water, which is a good thing too.

[Fay]

Originally Posted by webjetter

Washing the veggies and leaving them wet also gives your piggers some extra water, which is a good thing too.

Don't leave the veggies wet too often because it can upset their stomachs, I believe. Only do this on hot days, When your pig is sick or if your concerned about the pigs water intake (If you notice your pig never drinks for example).

After washing let it dry for a bit before giving it to the pigs, they should get enough water from the veggies themselves and the water bottle anyhow.

[heatherbunnie]

Originally Posted by Ianthe

Hey, maybe I will start eating better myself because of them...

This is true, I have eaten much more veggies since my pigs have them all the time. I try to cut up mine before hand, and like Fay said they won't really last too well after 3 days or so, they get really slimey. It makes it much easier in the morning when I'm getting ready for work.

[Ly&Pigs]

Don't leave the veggies wet too often because it can upset their stomachs, I believe.

This is more myth rather than truth.

But when prechopping veggies, if you leave them too wet, they do degrade faster. If you wash then let them mostly dry they will stay good up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator in a breathable bag. I use those plastic store bags and loosely tie the handles.

[envisionary333]

You might think about purchasing a veggie-chopper for the task. I agree that it's a lot of work to do all the chopping by hand, I can easily spend half-an-hour preparing their meals every day. (Being an artist, though, I feel like I always have to arrange them to look nice- as if the piggies cared!) I'm ordering one for myself so I can prep a day or two's supply without spending too much time on it.

[Carissa]

I prechop my veggies and I use a salad spinner to dry them before storing. I find that they stay fresher longer that way.

[samoews]

I buy veggies at our Saturday morning farmer's market, wash, then chop them up and make big individual baggies, one for the girls and one for the boys for every day. They stay just fine for 7-8 days; I just try and squish as much air out of the bags as possible before zipping them closed. This is really very handy, as it just takes a few seconds to empty the contents into their bowls; great for my busy mornings. (My pigs are so funny; whenever they hear a knife hitting the cutting board, they wheek like crazy! It doesn't matter what time of day or night it is either...they are ever hopeful when they hear that joyous sound!)

[pignewton]

I store my veggies (whole or chopped) with a paper towel in the bag or container to absorb excess moisture. This really extends their freshness date.

[Ianthe]

Ok thanks you guys! I chopped up what looks like enough for a few days, mostly dried, then put in tupperware with a paper towel. I have my own little fridge in my bedroom so this will make it easy to feed them. I also wrapped the whole romaine bunch in paper towels, because I think leafy things do go bad quickly if chopped/torn up (well that has been my experience when my mom makes salads anyway).

samoews....I live close to Riverside, in Moval! Had no idea there was a farmer's market there. We used to have one but it went under for not being very popular or something.

[Fay]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

This is more myth rather than truth.

But when prechopping veggies, if you leave them too wet, they do degrade faster. If you wash then let them mostly dry they will stay good up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator in a breathable bag. I use those plastic store bags and loosely tie the handles.

Ah, I knew there was something up with wet veggies and now I know Thanks for that clear up.

[muffledcry]

I know that I do all of my shopping monday with my mother in law, then I chop everything up, put them in ziploc containers and I have everything labeled, am or pm....so I know what they're getting in the night or morning. This cuts down time sine it seems like I'm super busy the rest of the week. The containers have different things in them so they don't get the same thing in the morning or the evening.

[JarBax]

I find that the pre-chopping method means that not only do I have at least an extra 15mins in the morning, but that the spread of 'twice weeklies' etc is better. I put 5 days worth onto plates, then stack the plates in the fridge. I only add the romaine to the first two days, leaving days 3, 4, and 5 still on the stalk, as I find it lasts longer that way.

This is all in theory ofcourse. Sometimes come Sunday night., I am too pooped myself, and end up forgetting!

[muffin]

Originally Posted by pignewton

I store my veggies (whole or chopped) with a paper towel in the bag or container to absorb excess moisture. This really extends their freshness date.

That is such a good idea! I have to try that.

I used to prepare the next day's two 'salads' the night before and it was so time consuming! I have found that a mixture of chopped peppers, carrots, and celery will keep ok for about 6 days in the fridge in a plastic food bag. I've stopped putting cucumber in the bag and add that at feeding time with the lettuce and any other variants. The wateryness of the cucumber made everything a bit slimy by day 6, and I had to throw what was left away.

[Tulia&Susie]

I also pre-chop. I just find it so much easier to have it all done so when I'm making their salads I can jst put everything together without chopping anything up.

[littlebear]

I pre-make all my pigs meals for 4 days in advance so I make 8 meals once every 4 days. They stay fresh as long as most of the water is off them since it makes them degrade it bit faster. I think pre-cutting things makes life easier.