Can I use this avocado for my toast? Is that zucchini good enough to throw in a stir-fry? How do I know if my pumpkin is ready without cutting it open?
These are all questions we've asked ourselves before, especially when our Good & Fugly subscription box gets delivered. More often than not, we've gone ahead and taken a bite only to realise that our fruit wasn't quite ready yet.
Here are a few tips on how to tell if your fruit is good to go without taking a nibble first:
Avocados:
Good: An avocado is ripe when it's soft to the touch but still firm, and its skin is a dark green or black.
No good: If your avocado is mushy or has brown spots, it's past its prime.
Zucchini:
Good: A zucchini is ripe when it's a deep green colour, and its skin is shiny. It should be firm to the touch but not too hard.
No good: Compost it if your zucchini is yellow or has brown spots.
Tomatoes:
Good: A tomato is ripe when it's a deep red colour, and its skin is slightly soft to the touch.
No good: If your tomato is green or has brown spots, it's past its prime.
Pumpkins:
Good: A pumpkin is ripe when it's a deep orange colour, and its skin and rind are hard. If you give your pumpkin a good pat, it should sound hollow.
No good: If your pumpkin is green, has soft spots, or has a nasty odour, it should be composted.
Eggplant
Good: An eggplant is ripe when it's a deep purple colour, and its skin is shiny. It should be firm to the touch but not too hard.
No good: Compost your eggplant if it is brown or has soft spots
We hope these tips help the next time you're standing in front of your kitchen sink, deciding if your fruit is good enough to eat. Remember, even if your fruit is a little past its peak, you may still find a creative way to use it to prevent food waste! Your fresh fruit and veg is ready to be delivered straight to your door.
