Several options for preserving green onions for a long time

Green onions are rich in beneficial substances that remain in them when properly stored.

There are several ways to save crops, so choosing the right option is not difficult.

In this article we will tell you how to preserve green onions for the winter at home, fresh, dried, or frozen.

Preparing for winter storage at home

For long-term storage, healthy vegetables that are not damaged are selected. For most harvesting methods, the greens do not need to be washed - just shake off the feathers and clean off clods of earth with a dry cloth.

Before being sent for storage, the crop must be sorted. Damaged vegetables can be used first.

If the harvesting technology requires that the vegetables be clean (for example, for freezing), the onions are washed in a basin and then dried in air.

Selection of containers

Depending on the conditions in which you plan to store the onions, selecting a suitable container:

• for the refrigerator - glass jars, paper and plastic bags;
• for the freezer - containers and bags resistant to low temperatures;
• for the basement and balcony - boxes, bags, etc.

Cellophane bags are often used to store vegetables.. At temperatures from 0°C and above, any packaging intended for food products is suitable. But when freezing, it is advisable to use containers designed for freezers.

Methods

Green onions are a vegetable that is demanding in terms of living conditions. The ambient temperature and the quality of the greens themselves directly determine how long they can be stored while maintaining their beneficial qualities.

Fresh at room temperature

At room temperature, green onions retain their properties for only a few days (maximum 3-5). To prevent leaf wilting, adequate moisture must be provided.by choosing one of the methods:

At home, greens should not be placed near heat sources or in direct sunlight.

In a refrigerator

Fresh green onions can be stored in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. Before placing the product in the cold, it should not be washed.

If the vegetables are too dirty, you can clean them from the soil with a dry cloth.

The temperature in the refrigerator is optimal to preserve the product for up to 2 months:

• at +3? C storage duration is up to 20 days;
• at 0?C – up to 60 days.

There are several methods such storage is simply on the shelf of the refrigerator:

• in a glass jar (up to 30 days);
• in a plastic bag (up to 45 days);
• in paper (14-20 days);
• in a bag with a damp cloth (up to 30 days).

You can learn more about storing green onions in the refrigerator. here.

In the freezer

A well-prepared and frozen vegetable can be stored until the next harvest for many months. But at the same time, defrosting and re-freezing the vegetable should be excluded.

To freeze, you need to do the following:

1. Wash the onion well.
2. Dry.
3. Cut in small pieces.
4. Place the workpiece in containers or special bags.

Regular bags can fail as they become brittle at low temperatures

This video will show you how to freeze green onions for the winter:

In the basement

Green onions can stay fresh in the cellar for up to a month. This option is suitable for a freshly dug vegetable that has succulent feathers without damage.

1. Separate the onion feathers into bunches and store them in plastic bags, which are placed on shelves.
2. Cover plastic lattice or wooden boxes with film and place the harvest.
3. Fill wooden boxes with high sides with prepared vegetables in bags so that the bulbs are at the bottom and the feathers are at the top.

On the balcony

You can store onions on the balcony only if the temperature outside has not dropped below 0°C.

Boxes lined with polyethylene are usually used as containers. The shelf life is determined by weather conditions - until frost.

At slightly negative air temperatures, the boxes can be covered with old blankets on top or organize other insulation. Periodically you will need to sort through the stock, as rotting is possible. With good insulation, the onion will be able to lie on the balcony even down to -10°C.

Chopped vegetable

If green onions are chopped, their shelf life is significantly reduced. At room temperature - up to two hours, in cellophane in the refrigerator - up to 12 hours.

You can extend the storage time in this way:

1. Place the chopped herbs into a glass jar.
2. Pour in vegetable oil.
3. Place in the refrigerator.

The best option is to use the product in the near future or freeze it for the winter. If there is not a lot of onion, you can freeze it in small molds, for example, intended for ice. In this case, the product will be divided into single portions.

Drying: all options

Dried green onions retain much of their beneficial properties. The advantages of this processing:

• compact storage;
• preservation of the product for two years;
• Ease of use;
• preservation of useful qualities;
• not demanding on storage conditions.

Drying green onions can be done in one of the following ways:

1. Using an electric dryer.
2. In the oven.
3. On open air.

To implement any drying method you must:

1. Sort through the greens. If there are damaged areas, they need to be cut off.
2. Rinse.
3. Air dry.
4. Cut in small pieces.

You can store dried vegetables in various containers:

• glass jars;
• plastic containers;
• canvas bags, etc.

On open air

This method is one of the simplest options for preparing green onions for future use. To dry, you will need white paper without drawings or text.

It is spread out in the shade. The prepared greens are laid out in one layer.

It is convenient to dry by covering a sieve with paper. With this option, there will be no fear that the drying onions will scatter throughout the house from the slightest draft and good ventilation will be maintained. Cover the drying greens with gauze on top to protect them from insects and dust.

Thick onion stems are not suitable for air drying, as they do not dry well and may even spoil.

In the oven

Drying green onions in the oven is not difficult. The temperature is set to low - about +50°C. The onion is poured onto a baking sheet in a thin layer. In 2-3 hours, depending on the thickness of the shoots, it will dry completely.

How to dry green onions for the winter, video recipe:

In an electric dryer

Depending on the thickness of the onion pieces, the temperature at which drying is carried out is determined. In this case, you should ensure that the temperature is not higher than +70°C, since at higher temperatures the beneficial substances will be destroyed.

9 recommendations

Save green onions These tips will help:

1. Frozen or dried vegetables will save time in the cooking process, since they are completely ready for use - washed and chopped.
2. The most compact storage method is in dried form. Onions will take up 10 times less space than fresh ones.
3. When stored in a cellar, on a balcony or in a refrigerator, greens should be sorted out frequently, removing rotten or dried feathers.
4. Sharp temperature fluctuations significantly reduce the shelf life of vegetables.
5. For storage, you should not mix green and onions or other types of onions, as they require different conditions.
6. The frozen product retains its characteristic bright green hue, but is inferior in aroma to the dried product.
7. You can blanch the onions before freezing. After this, it needs to be cooled, dried, and only then placed in the freezer.
8. When storing whole green onions, the feathers should not be compressed, bent or trimmed.
9. An alternative way to use green onions is pickling and pickling.

Important information about storing onions is provided in given section.

Conclusion

Green onions are a healthy product that serves as a means of preventing viral diseases and enriches the taste of a large number of dishes. With good organization of the storage process, greens can be on the table for a long time.

To do this, it is necessary to take into account the existing conditions and not violate the processing technology of green onions intended for long-term storage.