here is my fave way to KEEP them. Pick them, wash them, pat them dry, chop them and place them mixed up into ice cube trays. Fill trays with water, place in freezer. When frozen pop cubes into ZIploc bags labeled. Italian, Mexican, French, etc...then when you want to use them, either toss the whole cubes into the pot OR thaw them out in a fine mesh strainer and use them that way!