Helpful tips on how to store cauliflower in the refrigerator

Cauliflower is a healthy vegetable that can be used in preparing various dishes. In order for a vegetable to retain its properties, it must be stored correctly.

In a city apartment, the optimal place for this is the refrigerator.

How to properly store cauliflower in the refrigerator so that it does not darken, what is the maximum shelf life of the vegetable at home, read the article.

Preparing for storage at home

Correctly collected cabbage heads are suitable for storage.. They are harvested during the growing period, preventing the crop from becoming overripe. The heads should weigh between 0.3-1.2 kg.

If the fork is crumbly, yellow in color, does not hold its shape and is limp, it is not suitable for long-term storage. A vegetable that has outgrown the harvest time loses a significant part of its nutrients.

Cabbage is harvested in dry weather. The cut inflorescences should be immediately transferred to the shade so that they do not begin to wither.

1. Remove dense stalks.
2. Remove outer yellowed leaves.
3. If there are sprouted leaves, they are removed.
4. Rinse.
5. Dry.

How to preserve it so that it does not darken or spoil?

A vegetable that requires storage conditions must be carefully selected and prepared. After that:

1. The cabbage is packaged - each head is placed separately in a plastic bag or wrapped in cling film.
2. Place in a compartment designed for storing vegetables.

If the zone with the lowest possible temperature is inaccessible (for example, occupied by other vegetables), the cabbage will be preserved less well.

It is also undesirable to allow sudden changes in temperature, since during prolonged storage this can lead to the following consequences:

• acquisition of a dark shade by heads of cabbage;
• a change in the taste of a vegetable due to the appearance of unusual bitterness.

Ultimately, this leads to the vegetable becoming unfit for consumption. It will be impossible to eliminate the unpleasant signs that appear.

Preventing cabbage heads from touching each other increases the shelf life of the vegetable.

In addition to the usual storage method, you can put the vegetable disassembled into inflorescences into jars and sprinkle it with salt. The top of the container is covered with parchment.

You will find a lot of useful information about ways to store cauliflower. Here.

How long can a vegetable be stored?

In the refrigerator, storage conditions will differ from the cellar, which is optimal for keeping vegetables.

Significantly extends the shelf life of freezing. At low temperatures, cabbage can be stored in the freezer for up to six months to a year.

How to freeze correctly?

Cauliflower can be frozen. For this purpose, you should select strong, dense heads of cabbage and carry out the following activities:

1. Remove leaves.
2. Wash.
3. Disassemble into inflorescences.
4. Boil for 3-5 minutes.
5. Place the inflorescences in a colander to drain.
6. Place on paper towels to remove excess water.
7. Place in separate containers or special freezer bags.
8. Place the container with the inflorescences in the freezer. Until the freezing process is completed, the containers must be shaken periodically to prevent the inflorescences from sticking together.

Another option is freezing fresh vegetables. The technology for carrying out the work is similar to the previous method, excluding the cooking process.

Disadvantages of this approach:

• the likelihood of spoilage of cabbage increases;
• After defrosting and cooking the vegetable, its taste will differ from cabbage that was boiled before freezing.

• whole or sliced;
• cooked or fresh.

Once defrosted, cabbage cannot be re-frozen. He will tell you how to freeze cauliflower for the winter. this article.

3 ways to freeze cauliflower are presented in the video:

11 recommendations

General recommendations from experts will help you avoid common mistakes when storing crops cauliflower in the refrigerator:

1. If you plan to store vegetables for a long time, then the plants should not be fed with nitrogen fertilizers, as this can lead to rapid spoilage of the final product.
2. If the vegetable is wet before placing it in the cold, it must first be dried. It is better to do this in the fresh air, shading the heads with a thin cloth.
3. Heads of cabbage with damage should be eaten as soon as possible.
4. You should not store all the cabbage in the refrigerator in one common bag - this will spoil it faster. Contact of heads of cabbage provokes rotting processes.
5. An alternative option for long-term preservation of inflorescences in the cold is preservation.
6. Storage should take place in a cool, dark place with good air ventilation.
7. Wet inflorescences should not be frozen.
8. When planning to place cabbage in the refrigerator, you should take into account its free volume and the fact that it will not be possible to place the inflorescences compactly due to the peculiarities of their shape.
9. When frozen and preserved, the vegetable loses some of its nutrients.
10. If frozen cabbage is immediately immersed in boiling water without first thawing, its taste will be higher.
11. When stored for a long time, the taste of cabbage begins to deteriorate.

Conclusion

Storage at home in the refrigerator should be carried out according to all the rules, maintaining the required level of humidity and temperature. In this case, the vegetable can retain its taste and appearance for several weeks.