We reveal the secrets of how to properly and for how long you can store pumpkin at home

Pumpkin is a product that, if properly stored, can last quite a long time, even until the next harvest.

In order to preserve the maximum amount of useful substances and prevent spoilage, it is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for it.

We'll tell you how to properly store pumpkin in this article.

Shelf life of fresh

The length of time you can store pumpkin depends on a number of factors. These include the condition of the fruit, the maturity of the crop and the conditions of detention.

On average, the product can last up to 6 or even 9 months in the most favorable conditions, less in less suitable conditions. The chopped vegetable lasts even less - no more than a month in a cool place.

Requirements

To organize long-term maintenance, a pumpkin needs to meet a number of conditions. If they are not followed, the product will be stored much worse and may quickly deteriorate.

Temperature

For vegetables, the most favorable temperature is low, ranging from +3°C to +15°C. At higher rates, the pumpkin will begin to dry out faster.

Humidity

Low air humidity in the storage area is as necessary a condition as coolness.The optimal indicator is around 75-80%. If there is high humidity in the room, the vegetable may begin to rot.

Lighting

For long-term storage it is necessary to have protection from sunlight. In the light, vegetable stocks are stored much worse.

Preparation

High-quality fruits that were collected on time are suitable for long-term storage. They should be dense, with the same color.

Preparation for storage includes the following steps:

1. Cleaning fruits from dirt using a dry method - using rags or napkins.
2. Drying. The pumpkin is left to lie in the air for several days to dry the stalk.
3. Inspection and sorting of crops. At this stage, it is necessary to immediately set aside spoiled specimens, which need to be processed immediately or used as soon as possible.

Products that are prepared in winter should not be washed, so as not to provoke rapid spoilage.

Methods

The choice of pumpkin storage option depends on several factors. It is necessary to take into account the volume of the harvested crop, the condition of the fruits and available conditions for stock placement.

In a refrigerator

For small quantities of product a refrigerator can be used. This option is also suitable for keeping vegetables cut into pieces.

In the freezer

Freezing makes it possible to store pumpkin until the next harvest. The simplest freezing option is the following:

• wash and dry the vegetable;
• peel, remove seeds;
• cut into pieces;
• transfer them to ziploc bags or food containers;
• sign the packages that will be stored for a long time - indicate the date of placement in the freezer.

In addition to freezing in pieces, pumpkin can be prepared fresh in the freezer in grated form, as well as baked and boiled.

This video will tell you about freezing pumpkins:

In the cellar and basement

The basement and cellar allow you to organize the storage of even large stocks of vegetables, including pumpkins. You can use racks and drawers.

Storage on shelves should be organized as follows:

1. Prepare and sort the fruits.
2. Clear shelves of debris and foreign objects.
3. Cover the rack with paper.
4. Place a 10cm layer of straw on the shelves.
5. Place the pumpkin, stems down, on the shelves.
6. If the temperature in the room is likely to drop, cover the crop with straw or pieces of burlap.

For small-sized fruits, compact storage can be organized in boxes made of plastic or wood.

The procedure should be as follows:

1. The inside of the prepared containers is lined with straw or paper.
2. Each pumpkin should be wrapped in paper and/or covered with straw so that the fruits are not pressed against each other, but are kept at a distance.
3. Place the boxes on wooden pallets, boards or shelving.
4. Cover the top with straw.

Boxes should not be placed directly on the floor due to the high probability of spoilage of vegetable stocks.

On the balcony

For long-term storage, including in winter, the loggia or balcony must be glazed. Otherwise, the fruits may freeze when the air temperature begins to drop.

Additionally, you should use burlap or straw to cover the pumpkin. Wooden knocked down boxes with a lid or cabinets with doors are suitable for storage. This is a necessary condition for protecting stocks from light.

How to save the cut one?

A large fruit that will not be used all at once can be stored for a while. If the pumpkin is impressive in size, it is advisable to divide it into several parts, which can find a place in the refrigerator.

Procedure after the pumpkin is cut:

• cut off the stalk;
• Use a large knife to cut the fruit into the desired pieces;
• to wrap up;
• place in the cold.

This video will show you how to store a cut pumpkin:

Duration

The cut is wrapped in cling film and placed in the refrigerator. In this package, the pumpkin can last up to 3 weeks. You should not finely chop the pumpkin in advance, as this will shorten the shelf life of the product.

If the pieces have already been peeled, then all surfaces must be greased with vegetable oil. This can be done conveniently with a pastry brush. This technique will make it possible to prevent chapping and oxidation of the product.

The pieces are wrapped in foil or cling film on top. This extends the storage period to 3-4 weeks. If you keep the pieces without packaging, they will not last longer than 3 days.

Selecting a location

A cut pumpkin is even more demanding on storage conditions than a whole one. Such a product cannot be stored in a warm place even for a short time.. The best option is to pack it under cling film and put it in the refrigerator.

What varieties are suitable?

Not all varieties of pumpkin can be stored equally well in winter. If possible, you should choose those that are designed to lie for a long time.

Late-ripening varieties ripen later than others. The collection time is determined taking into account the region, and for the middle zone it is usually October.

Among those suitable for winter storage – pumpkins of different shapes and tastes:

• Polyanin;
• Ioannina;
• Arbatskaya;
• Winter sweet;
• Hundred Pound;
• Slavuta and others.

When choosing seeds for a sowing campaign, you need to check for which climate zone they are intended.

6 main mistakes

When organizing long-term storage, serious mistakes should be avoided whenever possible. The most common ones include the following:

1. No pre-processing of pumpkin, including drying.
2. Placing vegetable supplies in an inappropriate place, for example, on the floor.
3. Storing fruits in bulk, without separating them from each other.
4. Storing pumpkin mixed with other vegetables.
5. Wrong choice of crop variety for long-term maintenance.
6. Choosing the wrong variety that will not keep well.

Video on the topic of the article

This video will show you how to properly store pumpkin:

Conclusion

Preparing pumpkin for future use allows you to diversify your diet by introducing a healthy vegetable into it.In order to preserve the harvest in winter, it is important to prepare in advance a storage space that meets all requirements.