A new blog I’ve been reading, In Erika’s Kitchen, shared a story about how the author’s son was hospitilized with salmonella.  The likely cause: unwashed strawberries (they’re often fertilized with chicken manure).  Pretty scary, huh?

This got me to thinking about the produce we buy, whether at the grocery store (organic if possible) or the farmer’s market.  I tend to trust the organic part and don’t always think to give that produce an extra scrub.  After reading the story of Erika’s son, I started paying a little more attention (chicken manure after all wouldn’t disqualify something from being organic) and ensuring everything was rinsed with water.

Today, in my blog cruising (picture me in a convertible with the wind blowing in my hair), I stumbled across a great solution: Homemade Fruit and Vegetable Wash.  It isn’t a quick fix because it does require a small amount of soaking time but it is made from ingredients that are likely in the kitchen already!

When I get home this evening, you bet I’ll be cleaning off this beautiful batch of vegetables scored at the farmers market:

Spill it: Are you vigilant about washing your produce or do you slip up like I do?  Do you use a veggie wash or just water?