Q: What foods can I safely leave out of the refrigerator during the summer months?

A: Summer is prime time for produce. While you may know how to cook and eat these seasonal goodies, are you storing them correctly? Here are some farmers-market finds that should stay out of the fridge.

Tomatoes

The chill of the icebox makes tomatoes dull and mealy. Store on the counter (underripe ones can go on the windowsill). If they begin to get too ripe, it's time to make tomato jam or roasted tomato sauce.

Potatoes

Cold temps will break down the starches in potatoes, making them unpleasantly sweet and gritty. Cool and dry darkness is a spud's best bud.

Onions

Uncut onions are happy out of the cold. The humidity of the refrigerator makes them moldy and mushy. Avoid direct sunlight, and, once cut open, place in a resealable bag in the vegetable drawer.

Garlic

Preserve the powerful flavor of garlic by storing in a cool, dry and ventilated container. Once the head has been broken open, use the cloves within 10 days.

Apples

Freshly picked apples will do well (and look pretty) on your counter. If they aren't eaten after a week, make them last a little bit longer by then chilling them in the fridge.

Berries

Fresh berries from your local farm taste amazing at room temperature, so it's the sooner the better for munching. For long-term storage, keep them in the fridge. To avoid soggy or moldy berries, rinse just before eating.

Stone Fruit

Allow peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums to ripen at room temperature. If you can't gobble 'em up right away, place in the fruit bin of the refrigerator for a few extra days.

Courtesy Dana Angelo White on foodnetwork.com