5 Easy Ways to Keep Carrots Fresh for Months

Carrots are as versatile a vegetable as they come. Whether enjoyed raw or roasted, sautéed for the base of a stock or

soup, or shredded amply over a salad, the elongated root is a kitchen staple for most. Even the greens are delicious! As a bonus, carrots can last for two to three months if stored properly.

Many fruits and veggies spoil within weeks, even when the correct steps are taken; not so with carrots. The tapered foodstuff can save you on

food waste, its hearty root and edible top demanding to be eaten rather than tossed.

Once your food scraps end up in the landfill, a lack of adequate oxygen prevents proper decomposition, leading to the release of greenhouse gases and contributing to

global warming. Carrots can of course be

composted, but eating the vegetables that you buy or grow is the best (and most sustainable) solution.

Want to prolong the lifespan of your (and your family's favorite healthy snack? Here's how to store carrots so that they stay fresh for as long as possible.

Step one? Separate the roots from the greens (or fronds). Though they should be saved (

store like any other herb) and enjoyed (craft a carrot top pesto for an easy means of eating), when left attached, carrot tops encourage external condensation while pulling moisture from the vegetable itself.

As with most

root vegetables, keeping carrots dry is (in most cases) the key to a long shelf life—hence the frond removal. Condensation and excess water speed the spoilage, so it's best to refrain from rinsing your carrots until you're ready to consume.

The refrigerator is the best place to store your carrots. Once your tops are trimmed, skip the plastic and stash in a reusable

Veggie Saver Produce Bag or a

Stasher Bag for maximum freshness. Your carrots will keep

for several weeks in the crisper drawer.

This may seem counterintuitive, as we previously noted the dangers of excess moisture, but a full-on water bath can actually keep carrots crisp. Lop the tops and fill a glass container with filtered water, then store carrots vertically or horizontally—air-tight top optional.

Though the two are both tasty and portable snacks, carrots and apples should be stored well away from each other. Apples produce

ethylene gas and can lead to overripening and sprouting. Other culprits include

onions, pears, and

bananas.