Cauliflower contains a large number of valuable elements and is very useful for humans. It is advisable to use it throughout the year and especially in winter. However, this vegetable must be stored correctly. You will learn about the methods and features of storing cauliflower at home from the article.

What varieties of cauliflower are stored longer

In order for the vegetable to be fresh for a long time, to remain attractive in appearance and to retain valuable substances in it, it is necessary to select a good variety for this. It is noted that the late varieties are stored for the longest time, and the worst are the early.

Among late cauliflower, the varieties Amerigo, Asterix, Cortes, Adler winter 679, Sochi, Adler spring are considered the best.

Did you know? The largest cauliflower managed to get the American John Evans. She weighed 27.5 kg.

In addition to a good selection of varieties, in order to preserve vegetables well, they must be promptly and correctly removed. Here are some rules for harvesting:

1. Fruits at the time of harvest should reach a diameter of 8-12 cm and a mass of 0.3-1.2 kg.
2. The heads should be carefully cut with a sharp knife, leaving 2-3 sheets on them.
3. Cut heads of cabbage must be immediately removed to a dark place to avoid exposure to the rays of the sun.
4. Harvesting should be completed before the onset of frost - otherwise the cabbage will turn gray and become bitter in taste.

Early varieties must be harvested 80–110 days after emergence of sprouts, early ripe varieties after 115–120 days, mid-ripening after 125–135 days, late ripening after 145–170 days

How to properly prepare cauliflower for storage

Before storage, quality fruits should be selected. They must meet the following characteristics:

• have no damage;
• be without signs of rot, without black dots;
• be in moderation, but not completely loose.

Before laying, remove roots and leaves. If you plan to freeze, then it is advisable to blanch: boiled vegetable is able to lie for much longer.

Important! Overripe fruits with yellowed leaves should not be stored.

Storage methods

There are many ways to keep a vegetable at home. In room conditions, he is able to lie down to 5-7 days. In order to keep it longer in the apartment, it is necessary to place it in a cold place.

In fridge

Before laying vegetables in the refrigerator, remove leaves and roots from them. The cabbage is best stored in cling film or in an airtight plastic bag in the vegetable compartment, where the temperature is maintained from 0 ° C to + 10 ° C and humidity 95%.

Pickled or salted product is longer able to be stored.

In the freezer

The longest method for storing vegetables is freezing. To implement it, you must adhere to the following instructions:

1. Wash the heads.
2. Divide them into inflorescences.
3. Dip them in freshly boiled water and boil for 3-4 minutes.
4. Extract boiled inflorescences and dip them in water with ice.
5. Arrange the inflorescences on a baking sheet so that they do not touch each other.
6. Expose them to a quick freeze.
7. Remove the inflorescences from the freezer and put them in bags, releasing air from them, or in plastic containers.
8. Put the vegetable back in the freezer.

In the future, it is necessary to prepare a frozen product without defrosting.

Video: Freezing Cauliflower for the Winter

In the cellar

In the cellar or basement, a vegetable at a temperature of 0 ° C, a humidity of 95% and good air circulation can be saved in several ways:

1. In drawers made of wood or plastic, covered with plastic wrap.
2. In cardboard boxes.
3. In limbo.
4. In a bucket of sand.
5. On the rack.
6. Processed clay mash.

Important! Cabbage placed in storage should be periodically inspected and discarded damaged specimens.

In the cellar you can store not only harvested crops, but also transplanted ones. If frost has come before the heads have ripened, then the plant can be dug up with roots and transplanted into containers, covering the bottom leaves with earth. In the first 2 days they need to be watered well. Optimum conditions for growth: temperature - from + 4 ° С to + 10 ° С, humidity - 95%.

On the balcony

On the balcony, cabbage must be protected from sunlight, otherwise it will quickly deteriorate. It is also important to ensure that the vegetable is not exposed to frosty temperatures, so an uninsulated balcony as a place for winter storage is not suitable.

Did you know? Cauliflower holds more vitamin C than orange and lemon. To replenish the reserves of this element in the amount necessary for a person per day, he needs to eat 130 g of vegetable per day.

Storage time

How long a vegetable will be stored depends on how it is stored. The maximum retention periods can be found in the table:

So, cauliflower can be stored at home in several ways. The duration of its saving depends on which method will be chosen. The longest vegetable can be stored during freezing and treated with clay mash in the basement.