How much cut watermelon can be stored in the refrigerator
Watermelons are a favorite treat, you need to know how long you can keep a watermelon in the fridge, whole and cut. What measures should be taken so that the fetus is not damaged and benefits the human body.
Signs of maturity
In summer, melons are the main delicacy, however, in order for the fruit to turn out juicy and healthy, ripe berries should be used. When buying a watermelon, the following signs of ripeness should be considered:
- a ripe berry has a light spot on the side, which appears after ripening;
- the stalk should dry out;
- the skin does not have a waxy coating and is dense to the touch;
- with a light knock, a dull sound is heard;
- the drawing should have clear boundaries;
- you can not use berries with dark spots;
- with light pressure, crunches are audible;
- watermelon is big but light.
You should also know that ripe fruits should not be frayed and damaged.The presence of soft spots on the rind may indicate that the watermelon is overripe and unsuitable for food.
Selection criteria for long-term storage
Not all melons are suitable for this type of preservation. To obtain a useful product, preference is given to varieties that have a late ripening period, and no earlier than mid-September.
Variety
A properly selected variety allows you to store a watermelon for up to 5-6 months. Late varieties have a good taste and are less susceptible to the formation of putrefaction processes. It is recommended to use the berries immediately after harvesting on the site.
Also, when choosing, you should give preference to berries that are grown independently and do not contain nitrates.
Appearance
Watermelon should be picked up without visible damage, it should be borne in mind that scratches and bumps on the skin lead to the formation of a putrefactive process, as a result of which the berry rapidly deteriorates.
Dimensions (edit)
Large berries most often contain nitrates, which cause the fermentation process, and are not used for storage, and a large product is also difficult to place on the shelves. Preference should be given to products weighing no more than 3 kg. This product has a dense pulp and a high taste.
Optimal storage conditions
You can keep the product without special conditions for up to 2 days. A long period negatively affects the quality of the product and can cause damage to berries and infection of other specimens:
- the room is cool;
- use a refrigerator for cut fruit;
- products on which the dried stalk is preserved are selected, this reduces the risk of internal rot;
- there should be no specific plaque on the berry, indicating a process of putrefaction inside the pulp.
It is easy to create suitable storage conditions for watermelon. However, if the berry is damaged, this most often leads to the penetration of microbes into the skin and further damage to the pulp.
Important. The product, cut into pieces, must be kept cold, previously wrapped in cling film. This will reduce the risk of deterioration of the pulp and preserve the juiciness of the product.
Storage methods
Various methods are used to preserve watermelon without canning or pickling. Each method has its own characteristics that must be observed so that the fruit retains all the beneficial qualities.
In the fridge
In this way, the sliced watermelon can be preserved. The method is used if a berry is purchased that is not eaten at once. To obtain the desired result, the following characteristics must be observed:
- the opened fruit should be placed in the container with the cut down;
- the container is covered with a bag or film;
- the whole watermelon should be placed in the crisper, carefully wrapped in newspaper.
Intact watermelon is stored in the cold for a long time, while all useful components are preserved.
The berry is placed on the bottom shelf, since excessive cold can damage the skin.
In the cellar
The basement allows you to store berries for a long time, without performing complex actions. In order for the bay not to be damaged, the following conditions must be in the basement:
- moisture should not enter the room;
- it is necessary to store the fruits in a dry place on a litter;
- it is necessary to lay the watermelon with the stem down;
- there must be a distance of at least 10 cm between the fruits.
It is necessary to reduce the risk of contact with the fruit; for this, soft foam or cotton inserts are used. You can store melons and squash in the basement for a long time. Product inspection is carried out every 10 days, a product contaminated with rot can lead to the spoilage of the entire crop. Storage can be in crates or on shelves with litter.
When stored on the ground, the product is quickly damaged and unusable.
At room temperature
In an apartment, the product can be stored for up to 50 days, subject to all specifications. For this, the berries are placed in a dark place, or hung in nets in the pantry on hooks. If the berry is cut, such a product cannot be stored, as it quickly deteriorates and contributes to the appearance of harmful insects.
How and how much can you store sliced watermelon
A watermelon that has been cut before spoils very quickly. The juice runs out and the product is no longer used for further consumption. In order for the cut product to be used in the future, it is necessary to put the slices in a cold place and cover them with foil.
The shelf life of such a product can be up to 3 days. The cut product retains its qualities if the film is not removed, after the film is removed, microbes enter, which contributes to the formation of rot. After removing the film from the cut, a small layer of the product is carefully removed, the rest can be eaten.
Important. Eating spoiled food can cause complex poisoning.After the appearance of mucus, harmful microorganisms multiply rapidly, which, if they get into the stomach, worsen a person's well-being.
Other methods
Storing watermelons allows the gardener to extend the shelf life of the harvest. Such techniques are especially often used when there is a basement. In order to preserve gourds, the following methods can be used.
Lying on the moss
Using this method keeps the whole watermelon alive for 2-4 months. Long wooden crates are filled with dry moss, which serves as bedding. Watermelons are laid out in boxes, the distance between the fruits should be at least 10 cm. Foam is placed between the berries to reduce contact and possible damage. It is necessary to store the boxes in a dark place or in a basement.
Important. In order for the moss to be dry, it must be picked up at noon. Since moss can absorb moisture and cause rot to form.
In a container with ashes
Wood ash is used. For storage, the substance must be sieved and the solid particles removed. The ashes are poured into a wooden box and the watermelons are placed. From above, the crates are completely covered in ash. You can store the berries in this way for up to 3 months.
How to coat with clay or wax
Using this method makes it possible to keep whole berries for a long time. The clay or wax protects the product from damage. For storage, clay and water are mixed together, covered with an even layer of watermelon and left to dry completely. The wax is used in the same way, but it must be melted beforehand.
Hanging uncut berries
Using the technique, you can save the harvest for 2 months.A mesh is used where the watermelon is laid. The net is attached to the ceiling in a cool room. Instead of a netting, you can use a rag or burlap to let the air through. The room should be dry and out of direct sunlight.
vegetable core
To preserve vegetables, depressions in the ground can be used. A container is installed in the dug hole. It is possible not to use the container, but in this case the bottom of the pit should be covered with dry straw. A ripe fruit, previously coated with clay, is lowered into the pit. A sealed lid is made on top to prevent liquid from entering.
How to properly store for the winter
Compliance with the rules preserves all the beneficial qualities of the berry for a long time:
- Only ripe berries are used. An unripe watermelon will taste bad. Overripe decomposes quickly.
- Before storage, the berry should be washed and dried. Cold water with ice is used for washing.
- It is necessary to prepare the fruits for storage in late autumn.
- It is necessary to regularly inspect the berries.
Watermelons stored in such a train of wagons can last until winter without a decrease in taste or loss of useful minerals. Some people freeze the berries, but this product loses its appearance and is only used to make drinks.
Tips & Tricks
Melons can be preserved by observing the following techniques:
- You can keep the harvest for 2 months in water. To do this, a barrel of water is placed on the street, the watermelons are placed without damage in the water with a weight so that they do not float. The water is changed every 10 days.
- After cutting, the fruit is covered with plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator.To increase the storage time, it is necessary to moisten the cut site with cold water.
- For use, you must buy the fruit directly from melons.
- Do not store melons and squashes next to other vegetables, this will contribute to the appearance of odors.
- In order to freeze the pulp, the skin must be removed from the berry. Peel the seed slices. Freeze the product and put it in a container for later storage. If necessary, the required amount is taken out, the rest is returned to the freezer.
- For storage in an apartment, the following measures should be taken: wrap in newspaper and place in a dry place away from radiators. This method keeps the berries fresh for 2 months.
- If the berry is kept in clay, it is necessary to soften the shell and peel the skin with a brush before use.
Often, in order to preserve the beneficial properties of watermelon, gardeners pickle and salt the product. In this case, you can enjoy the bay all year round.
Result
Watermelon contains useful substances for the human body, but often after the onset of the first frost it is no longer possible to use the berry. Therefore, gardeners use special methods that preserve melons and squashes for several months. To use storage methods, it is necessary to prepare the product and choose berries without damage and cracks.