| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | - | 1-2 Weeks | 12 Months |
| Cooked | - | 3-5 Days | 12 Months |
Shelf Life of Celery
Celery is a vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is popularly known for having crunchy stalks and is usually consumed as a low-calorie snack. Despite the low-calorie content of the celery, there are also other reasons for consuming it along with the usual diet. It is thought to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract. The seeds of the plant are also used to help relieve pain medicinally. The shelf life of celery depends on its storage and usage. Whole fresh celery can last for 3-4 weeks in the fridge, celery packages last for 2-3 days in the fridge, and cooked celery can last for 1 week in the fridge.
Purchasing Celery
When it comes to purchasing celery, look for firm, tightly packed stalks that have medium to thick ribs, crispy enough to break apart conveniently. The leaves should be bright, yet of a pale green color and should not be wilted. The innermost tender stalks have a mild flavor, which is known as celery hearts and can also be purchased separately. The innermost stalks are usually of a higher cost than the other stalk variety. The seeds of celery are generally best-bought whole and often used, without grinding, for cooking since they are very small in size. Ground celery should be used quickly as the volatile nodes evaporate leaving behind the bitter and less balanced flavor. To have the less waste when peeling of celery root, buy the one having the least amount of knoblike protrusions.
Storing Celery
To store celery properly, some guidelines are important to follow such as getting rid of any discolored leaves. The stalks should be left attached to the root ends until the celery is ready to be used. There are contrasting opinions as to whether the celery should be washed before storage or left unwashed in a plastic bag. Celery tends to freeze easily so it should be kept in mind not to store it near the inner sides of the appliance. It is best to keep the celery seeds in the jar they are brought in, in a cool dark place away from sunlight. The lid should be tightly secured. The seeds may retain their flavor for a longer period if they are stored in glass containers with tightly fitted lids.
Handling Celery
To start with cleaning the celery, remove the base and leaves then wash them under running water. Next, cut the stalk into pieces of the required lengths. If there are fibrous strings present on the outer side, they can be removed by making a thin cut near the end of the stalk. Make use of the leaves as they contain Vitamin C, Potassium, and Calcium the most. They should also be used within a day in order to prevent storage problems. Celery, at room temperature, tends to lose its high water content due to evaporation. If the celery has wilted, sprinkle some water on it and store it in the refrigerator for several hours.
Cooking Celery
Chopped celery can be added to a chicken salad or fish recipe. Celery stalks can be enjoyed with peanut butter, and the leaves can be used in salads. Fresh carrot juice can be improvised by the addition of celery to it. Celery leaves and stalks can be presented with soup, casseroles, and stews. Root celery can also be served as a major vegetable plate on its own. Leaf celery can also substitute parsley in any recipe.