Even in the winter, I put my vegetables and most fruits in the fridge too (bananas being my usual exception, since they're so underripe when I buy them). They just last longer that way...
I also put most of my bread in the fridge for the same reason.
As many people are probably typing this at the same time: bread goes stale faster in the fridge. If you need to preserve bread for a while, freezing is the way to go.
My goal with the bread is to keep it from molding, which is does in a couple days sitting on the counter. Usually it isn't around long enough to freeze.
That may be true, but in my experience it takes longer to go stale in the refrigerator than it does for it to mold outside the refrigerator. So I store my bread in the fridge and everything is fine.
I've never stored my bread outside the bag in something like a breadbox though, so maybe that would make it last longer. I've never had my bread go stale in the fridge before I finished it, so I'm not too worried about changing my habits.
> I put my vegetables and most fruits in the fridge too (bananas being my usual exception, since they're so underripe when I buy them)
A few things will retain better quality being left out
- Apples will get mealy in the fridge
- Tomatoes will be much better unrefrigerated
- I'm not sure about alliums, I never refrigerate onions or garlic but I do refrigerate green alliums like leeks and scallions.
It all really depends how quickly you plan to consume the items.
If you're the type that shops at the market several times a week - setting all produce on the counter is likely just fine.
If you're like me and try to avoid the grocery store as much as possible... sometimes stretching 2 weeks between trips, then the fridge can be very helpful.
Hmm, that is interesting - never tried it that way.
Although I don't usually toast the bread - depends heavily on what it's being used for. A sandwich for lunch... probably not toasted. Would work fine for other breads though.
idk if vegetables can live some days in the open in sicily they can live on a shelf long enough to be eaten, unless someone has not enough time to shop weekly.
I also put most of my bread in the fridge for the same reason.