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Fruits for all seasons

Fruits make for nutritious bites

LOADED WITH NUTRIENTS Fresh `n' healthy

Fruits are amongst the most healthful foods on the planet. They are powerhouse of nutrients and antioxidants, and the vast majority of them contain little or no fat. Fruits spoil quickly though, and they can be difficult to store.

A large freezer dedicated for storing fruit throughout the year is ideal. De-skin apples, peaches and other large fruit, and cut them into small pieces before storing them. They may lose a few nutrients this way, but will last longer. Fruits will keep fresh in the chill compartment of the fridge for a couple of weeks at best. Oranges keep well, but grapes do not last for more than a few days. Fruit that appear moist and boggy and have mould on them will not miraculously improve with freezing. Throw them away.

Drying fruits

Drying is more suited to India's hot weather. Grapes apricots, dates and cherries are all suitable for drying. This process makes the fruit more calorie-dense.

Preparing fruit safely takes a bit of care. Before using a knife, thoroughly wash all fruit under running water.

When eating fresh fruit leave the peel on whenever possible. If the peel smells of pesticide, soak the fruit for ten minutes in warm water laced with lots of salt. Scrub hard with salt until the smell goes away. If the smell does not disappear with this treatment, discard the fruit . Choose the fruit that are in season. They are cheaper and less likely to be subjected to chemical processing.

RAJIV M

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