Washing Pesticides off Vegetables

kathyd_2

What is the best way to wash pesticides off fruit and vegetables? I wash mine under cold running water, but I was wondering if this is adequate, particularly with cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and the like? With fruit, tomatoes, cucumber I wash under the tap and dry with kitchen paper but don't normally wipe the veg - bit difficult with the veg I mentioned above as there are so many 'nooks and crannies' - How do you do yours?

carbonel

Washing under running water is probably the best you can do. Anything that's going to be cooked will get a 'hot wash' anyway.
Things for salads I would just wash and wipe, peel if poss and if you want to be bothered.
Ideally, eat organic - then you just have to wash the mud off! However, organic tends to be more expensive and not everyone can spend the extra.
All our veg is organic - we grow it ourselves - sounds ideal? Well, we don't tell people that we use very well rotted cow muck, and that we have four free range cats and a dog, and are surrounded by assorted wildlife who have also not read the Food Hygiene manual.
Have managed to survive thus far on 'honest' dirt!:rotfl:

Pandora123_2

I got out of the habit of doing this, but thanks for reminding me! There are special products you can buy for washing pesticides off produce, though I've never looked for them in stores. Here is one you can buy mail order:

Veggi-Wash

There is some useful info on this site as well:

Pesticides and Produce

...including this tip:

You can also make your own produce wash using a very diluted solution of mild dishwashing detergent (1 tsp detergent per gallon, or 4 liters, water).

For grapes, strawberries, green beans, and leafy vegetables, swirl the foods in a dilute solution of dish detergent and water at room temperature for 5 to 10 seconds, then rinse with slightly warm water.

For the other fruits and vegetables, use a soft brush to scrub the food with the solution for about 5 to 10 seconds, then rinse again with slightly warm water.

HTH!

:A

organic_wanabe

I buy organic where/when possible (unless there is a horrific premium and then I'm too mean). I did read somewhere that you should wash/steep unorganic fruit and vegetables in a very dilute basin of Ecover washing-up liquid and then rinse really well. (BTW it was in a magazine not on the Ecover bottle or such.)

hazzie123

WoW gone are the days when you just rubbed an apple on your trouser leg then ate it!To be honest I still do this now.

kathyd_2

carbonel wrote:

Washing under running water is probably the best you can do. Anything that's going to be cooked will get a 'hot wash' anyway.
Things for salads I would just wash and wipe, peel if poss and if you want to be bothered.
Ideally, eat organic - then you just have to wash the mud off! However, organic tends to be more expensive and not everyone can spend the extra.
All our veg is organic - we grow it ourselves - sounds ideal? Well, we don't tell people that we use very well rotted cow muck, and that we have four free range cats and a dog, and are surrounded by assorted wildlife who have also not read the Food Hygiene manual.
Have managed to survive thus far on 'honest' dirt!:rotfl:

Yes, carbonel, we grow our own organic veg but due to the size of our postage stamp garden we can't grow enough to cater for all our needs (even grow in pots). I'll even fight the slugs for their 'leftovers' - its amazing what you'll do when you grow it yourself :rotfl: