2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Zucchini is popular, loved and in demand. It has a rich vitamin and mineral composition, it is used in baby food, diet food, it is irreplaceable in nutrition, with weight loss. Seasonal use can be extended by knowing how to store the squash until spring. Now you will learn the secrets and subtleties of storing this vegetable
Zucchini varieties for winter storage
Forward-looking vegetable growers who want to consume their produce before spring grow zucchini varieties with good keeping quality. Fruits with small seeds and thick skin are ideal for long-term storage. When buying planting material, you need to choose the following varieties: Aeronaut, Pear-shaped, Aral F1, Yellow-fruited, Anchor, Negritonok, Tsukesha.
Preparing fruits for storage
The harvested zucchini must be well-ripened and look perfect. Signs of rot, mechanical damage are unacceptable. The selection for storage is based on the state of appearance: juicy stalk, dense rind. Overripe specimens will not be able to lie for a long time, the taste will also change quickly: in a month the pulp will become loosely fibrous.
Collection of fruits for long-term storage provides for a special cut. It is required to leave a longer stalk (at least 5 cm), it is this part of the squash that protects against the penetration of infections and diseases. Overgrown giants are also not suitable, choose a vegetable up to 45 cm in size. Harvested zucchini need tenderness and accuracy. The remains of the earth are removed carefully, avoiding damage to the skin. Wash is prohibited. After harvesting, you need to dry the vegetables for two days in the sun to weather the cut line.
Where to store zucchini
Ideal conditions - humidity 80%, temperature + 4 … + 10. The presence of special shelves in the cellar serves as a good place not only for fruit, but also for zucchini. High humidity is harmful, so the storage must have a hood or be regularly ventilated.
The lack of a cellar is not a reason for frustration. Zucchini are perfectly stored in the apartment, the main condition is distance from central heating, absence of dampness. If your balcony is glazed and insulated, then it will be a good storage space. It is great if you place the fruits in a wooden box with an open top. You can also place such a structure near the balcony or front door, where it is always cooler than in the kitchen. If the dimensions of the apartment are already very modest, then pack each zucchini in paper or natural fabric and lay it on the floor under the bed, bedside table, etc.
Many people think that the refrigerator will do the job best. Alas, there the zucchini can remain unchanged for only 3-4 weeks.
How to store zucchini
Long-term storage involves isolation, i.e. contact of fruits with each other is not allowed. To do this, you need to arrange all the instances so that they "breathe" and do not touch. If a cellar is used, then the shelf is lined with straw or shavings. No shelves - hang each fruit by placing it in a nylon stocking. The vegetables will stay fresh and taste good until spring.
In the apartment, zucchini, wrapped in paper, must be placed in a box or box, between each vegetable, install a partition made of a piece of cardboard. It is better to put an additional sheet of thick cardboard or rags on the bottom. If it is possible to use straw, it will provide better air exchange and contribute to a longer shelf life. Regardless of the location, a control inspection must be carried out regularly. Fruits with signs of mold and rot are dangerous for neighboring zucchini. They need to be isolated and consumed as soon as possible.
How long can zucchini be stored
Like all vegetables, courgettes are prone to moisture loss, wilting, and flavor changes. Of course, you can keep the fruit until summer, but … When you open it, you will find seeds with sprouts and a completely different pulp, which will be friable, sometimes with a bitter taste. The rind will harden and harden. Therefore, it is best to use zucchini while they are tasty and fresh.
The optimal shelf life is 4-5 months. When harvested in September, you will have the opportunity to prepare a delicious meal from your supplies in February. With skillful handling of fruits and a competent approach to storage, the life of a vegetable can be extended until spring.
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