Should Zucchini be refrigerated?
Chef's answer
You should store summer squash (like zucchini) in the fridge, but thick-skinned squash like acorn, butternut, or kabocha should stay at room temperature. This is partially to preserve their texture, but it's mostly because squash tend to take up a lot of real estate in the drawers and on the shelves of your fridge.
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
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Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter or in hot water and must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. There are safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave.
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If all else fails and you do come down with an unfortunate case of food poisoning from undercooked meat, then stay hydrated, and see a doctor or healthcare provider if your symptoms don't go away for a few days, or if you develop a fever. And maybe consider taking over grilling duties next time there's a BBQ.
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If you'd like your steak medium-rare, it should feel like your cheek: tender and soft but still fleshy (as opposed to raw, which would be just soft). If you want a medium steak, touch your chin: The steak should still be tender, but with some resistance.
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And lean muscle requires quick cooking. An overcooked scallop has a very chewy texture. That's because the proteins have cooked to the point that they squeeze out all the moisture. And there is no extra fat present in a scallop to help to mask the fact that they are overcooked.
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Even though I leave them in the pan for several minutes at a time, despite the shriveling and burning, they always end up raw in the middle. The insides are cold, fishy tasting, and, to be honest, pretty nauseating..
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It's important to allow bread to cool all the way, or until it's just barely warm, to complete the cooking process before cutting. Bread baked in a loaf pan can take as long as 1 hour and a large free-form loaf can take as long as 1 1/2 hours to cool.
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Seasoning the fish with salt and pepper before cooking is a must for great flavor, but just as important is when you season. When seasoned too soon before cooking, the salt will start to break down the proteins in the salmon and draw moisture out of the fish.
A few more cooking questions 📍