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Any storage secrets?

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ferry23 Wed 24-Jun-26 10:39:12

As many of you will testify, living alone frequently means buying food you know you will probably throw away. The world of food shopping is not geared up for single people.

I now have to rely on supermarket deliveries which is even worse as there is very little in "single person size".

The two things I struggle to store successfully are parmesan and garlic. I've tried double wrapping in foil and film, foil only, wrapping and putting in zip lock bags. I've kept in the door of the fridge, in the main fridge and for the garlic in the salad crisper.

The garlic isn't the end of the world as it hardly breaks the bank to buy a new bulb, and I accept no shop is going to sell half a garlic bulb! Even though I do hate the waste. But Italian hard cheeses are expensive and I have to shave or cut off mouldy bits every time I use them. Or sometimes they are just past redemption.

I keep hovering over the jars of garlic cloves but I'm not convinced.

Any foolproof tips?

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Nell82 Wed 24-Jun-26 10:47:25

I buy large blocks of English parmesan style cheese from our farmers' market. The stall holder recommended wrapping half in foil and storing it in the freezer.

Might be worth a try?

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SueDonim Wed 24-Jun-26 10:54:39

In the past, I’ve grated a piece of Parmesan and then frozen it, to use straight out of the freezer.

For garlic I use the jars of puree. I still end up throwing out the last bits at times but overall, it’s an easy option.

I also freeze left over herbs in bags. Some are only fit for cooking with eg basil but it’s nice to have fresh ones to hand.

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ferry23 Wed 24-Jun-26 10:55:10

Nell82

I buy large blocks of English parmesan style cheese from our farmers' market. The stall holder recommended wrapping half in foil and storing it in the freezer.

Might be worth a try?

Ooh, thanks Nell will definitely give that a try.

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teabagwoman Wed 24-Jun-26 10:55:55

I store grated Parmesan in the freezer. I don’t use a lot as I can’t eat tomato dishes and it seems to last for months.

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Alwaysoptumistic Wed 24-Jun-26 11:04:01

I gave up buying fresh garlic awhile ago as I was throwing so much away. I now buy the tubes of puréed garlic. Not quite as good as fresh but no waste

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aonk Wed 24-Jun-26 13:02:07

Ocado and (I think) Sainsbury’s sell frozen chopped garlic. It’s so useful. Also Sainsbury’s sell their own make of grated Italian cheese in a cardboard container which is kept in the fridge and lasts some time. It isn’t pure Parmesan but fine for me.

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Astitchintime Wed 24-Jun-26 13:12:30

I buy the jars of lazy garlic……..lasts for ages when kept in the fridge. As for parmesan cheese 🤮……..I would sooner boil my own head than eat that! cannot abide the smell, let alone the taste!

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Grandmaofone Wed 24-Jun-26 13:14:27

Taj frozen crushed garlic in little blocks, also ginger,
from Sainsbury although it must be available elsewhere
as must different suppliers

a piece of Parmesan or hard cheese grated, in small
packs in the freezer drawer

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Tortoiselover Wed 24-Jun-26 13:21:22

Frozen chopped garlic and ready grated parmesan keeps well

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Sarnia Wed 24-Jun-26 13:29:35

I now buy frozen vegetables. There is no waste and I can use just what I need. Every bit as nutritious as fresh.

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