How to properly store broccoli at home for the winter

Many people wonder how to properly store broccoli. In order to keep the product fresh for a long time, it is advisable to choose the right method. It is allowed to store the vegetable in the refrigerator or freeze it. In addition, the plant is dried or used to prepare blanks. To achieve good results, you need to familiarize yourself with the technology and strictly follow all the rules.

Features of storing broccoli cabbage

In order to store cabbage for a long time, it is important to adhere to certain recommendations. First, you need to choose vegetables that can survive long-term storage. Compliance with harvesting rules is also important.

The cabbage should not be overripe. Such a vegetable does not keep. Also, broccoli becomes bitter and tough when flowering. She loses most useful items. In order for the cabbage not to be overripe, it should be checked a little earlier than the due date. The ripening period varies depending on the conditions. The maturity of broccoli can be determined by the following criteria:

• a quality product has a dark green tint;
• the diameter of the head reaches 10-12 centimeters;
• inflorescences do not have yellow spots;
• the buds are distinguished by a dense and strong consistency;
• the central inflorescences have larger inflorescences than the outer ones.

Optimal storage conditions

Broccoli should not be kept warm for long. In addition, cabbage needs high humidity. The refrigerator is considered the only optimal storage place. It is also allowed to freeze the plant. The optimal temperature regime should be 0 ... + 10 degrees.

Humidity settings should be 90-95%. This is why broccoli is not kept indoors.

Even with strict adherence to all recommendations, a vegetable can stay in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. However, most often the shelf life does not exceed 1 week. If it is necessary to store the crop for 6-12 months, it must be frozen.

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Home Storage Methods

To save broccoli for the winter, you need to choose the right method and strictly follow all expert advice.

In the fridge

To implement this method, it is worth preparing a small container. Its diameter should be slightly larger than the head. Pour 1.5 to 2 centimeters of water into a container. The prepared head should be lowered with the stem into the dish and covered with a plastic bag in which you need to make small holes. Put the container in the refrigerator. With a daily water change, it will be possible to keep the product fresh for several days.

Paper towels

The prepared head can be wrapped loosely in a slightly damp paper towel and placed in the refrigerator. It is allowed to store broccoli in this form for 3-4 days.

Foil

In this case, it is recommended to wrap each head in foil and put it in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer. Cabbage prepared in this way is allowed to be stored for 1-1.5 months. In this case, the condition of broccoli should be assessed periodically. If yellow spots appear on the surface, you should immediately use cabbage.

In the freezer

For bigger broccoli yields, you can use the freezer. This method allows the product to be stored until winter or until the next harvest. Before freezing, broccoli must be washed and disassembled into inflorescences. To get rid of insects, you need to prepare a saline solution and lower your head into it. Then it is recommended to rinse it thoroughly.

Boil water in a large saucepan and drop in the flowers. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Then quickly move the cabbage into ice water and let it cool. Place the product on a clean towel and dry. Place the inflorescences in sachets and place in the freezer. You can also use sealed containers. Broccoli can be frozen unblanched. In this case, it must be disassembled into inflorescences, rinsed and dried. Pack in containers or plastic bags and freeze.

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In the basement or cellar

In order to store the product in the basement for the winter, it must provide suitable conditions:

• the temperature should be 0 ... + 6 degrees;
• air humidity should be maintained at 90-95%;
• the room must be ventilated.

Each head should be wrapped in newspaper and placed in the basement. It is allowed to store cabbage in this form for 2 months. If the paper gets wet, it should be replaced.If the outer leaves are damaged, they are removed and the petiole is slightly shortened.

Dried

First, the broccoli should be placed in a saline solution to clean it of any contamination. Then blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes. Divide the heads into inflorescences and cut them into 2 parts. Dry in an oven or a special machine.

The readiness of the vegetable should be assessed by its appearance. If, when squeezed, the buds retain their elasticity, but do not release juice, they can be placed in a clean jar and stored for storage. It is allowed to eat dried cabbage all year round.

Stripping

This recipe will require 1 head of cabbage, bay leaf, hot pepper, carrots, onions, garlic, beets. For the marinade you need to take 1 liter of water, 150 grams of vinegar and the same amount of sugar, 40 grams of salt. Cabbage should be disassembled into inflorescences, cut greens. Put broccoli, vegetables and spices in jars. Prepare the marinade separately and boil it. Pour over the cabbage and close the jars. When they cool, take them out to a dark place.

How to defrost correctly

It is not necessary to thaw cabbage before cooking. This procedure will cause the vegetable to lose its shape. After heat treatment, it will look like ugly gruel. To avoid this, take the cabbage out of the freezer, divide it with a knife and start cooking.

If you still need to thaw the cabbage, take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge. This will help achieve gradual thawing and retain as many nutrients as possible.

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Common Mistakes

Many people make a number of mistakes when storing broccoli:

• violate the temperature and humidity regime;
• choose the wrong cabbage for storage;
• store broccoli at room temperature;
• violate product thawing technique.

Additional tips and tricks

In order for the cabbage to be stored for a long time and retain the maximum amount of useful elements, the following rules should be observed:

• harvest in time - overripe cabbage has an unpleasant taste, contains few vitamins and is poorly stored;
• observe the temperature regime when storing broccoli;
• maintain optimal humidity settings;
• store cabbage in the refrigerator - you can wrap it in paper towels or foil;
• freeze cabbage properly - it must be blanched beforehand, although it is quite possible to do without this procedure;
• it is best to thaw a vegetable properly in the refrigerator.

Broccoli is a delicious and healthy product that is popular. That is why the question of storing this type of cabbage worries many people. It is best to store your cultures in the refrigerator. If you want to store it for a long time, you should use a freezer.