Life hacks for spicy lovers: how to keep chili peppers fresh for a long time

Chili pepper is distinguished by its spiciness, which is known all over the world. You can cook a huge number of dishes with it, so housewives tend to stock up on it for future use.

To ensure that chili pepper does not lose its benefits and does not deteriorate over a long winter period, it is better to keep it fresh.

Read the article on how to keep chili peppers fresh.

Storage methods

Chili peppers have a high yield, so having collected a colossal amount of hot pods, gardeners think about possible ways to store them. We have selected the most popular options for extending the freshness of the product.

At room conditions

It’s hard not to notice that hot peppers have good keeping quality. It can be left at room temperature of 20-22 degrees, and it will remain in such conditions without signs of spoilage. However, over time, the pods will begin to dry out.

To ensure that the product does not lose freshness for as long as possible, The following recommendations will help:

• put the pods in boxes or boxes with holes for ventilation;
• put the container in the coolest place in the apartment, most often it is the pantry;
• Protect the product from light and direct sunlight.

Under these conditions, the pepper will remain fresh for 2-3 months. Instead of boxes, you can use plastic bags, after making several holes in them for ventilation.

On the balcony

If the loggia is glazed, the chili pepper can be left on the balcony until frost sets in. To prevent the product from spoiling, proceed as follows:

1. Dig up the bush along with roots and pods.
2. Remove the remaining soil and dry in fresh air, tear off the leaves.
3. Hang it by the roots on the balcony.
4. Protect from direct sunlight and frost. It would be good if there was a separate box for storing pepper.

However, when the air temperature drops below -5 degrees, pepper must be removed from the balcony. On a glassed-in loggia, Chile will remain edible for 3-4 months.

In a refrigerator

You can store chili peppers in the refrigerator for a while. To keep the product fresh, proceed as follows:

• separate the pods from the trunk;
• place them in the refrigerator on the middle shelf for 2 hours;
• prepare clean plastic bags or containers with airtight lids;
• place the peppers in containers and put them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, which is intended for storing vegetables.

Before sending the product for long-term storage, it must be cooled. This will avoid condensation and prevent rapid deterioration. With the right approach, the pepper will remain fresh for a month.

In vegetable oil

This is a popular way to store hot peppers, which many housewives resort to. The procedure is as follows:

• cut off the stalks of the pepper and remove the seeds, then rinse them thoroughly with running water;
• place on a baking sheet lined with foil and brush with oil using a brush;
• leave the product in the oven for 4 hours at 150 degrees;
• prepare sterile jars;
• put peppers in them, pour cold oil;
• close the lid and put the jars in a cool place.

This storage method will allow the peppers to remain edible for 8-12 months. Although they undergo preliminary heat treatment, the pulp does not lose its taste and benefits.

In the cellar

The optimal place to store chili peppers is the basement. It will keep vegetables fresh for 4-6 months.

Conditions that must be met:

1. Remove visible dirt.
2. Place the pods in wooden boxes or cardboard boxes.
3. Sprinkle the peppers with sand or sawdust. You can also use paper by wrapping each copy with it.
4. Place the vegetables so that they do not touch each other.

The best storage temperature is 2 degrees and air humidity is 85%.

Freezing for the winter

Fresh peppers can be frozen. Only ripe fruits are placed in the freezer. They must be washed and dried so that no moisture remains on the surface. Be sure to cut off the stalks and remove the seeds. Prepared pods are placed in containers or plastic bags. In this form they are frozen.

Which options are not suitable?

To prevent the pepper from spoiling quickly, The following actions should be avoided:

1. Do not wash peppers before placing them in the upper compartments of the refrigerator.
2. To store the product at room temperature, do not use sealed boxes or plastic bags without holes for ventilation.
3. The optimal storage temperature is 2 degrees.If it is higher, the spoilage process will begin faster.
4. Do not fill the container completely; vegetables need ventilation. They need to be spread evenly.
5. Peppers should not be stored next to other vegetables. This will lead to mutual spoilage of products.
6. You can't just stack the pods on a shelf in the refrigerator.

Helpful information

Tips for storage and handling chili pepper:

1. Chili peppers should not be left in the kitchen. During the cooking process, the air warms up and the temperature rises, which negatively affects the freshness of the product.
2. Products stored for storage must be inspected periodically. If damaged specimens are found, they are disposed of.
3. Many summer residents do not store peppers in winter, but grow new bushes right on their windowsill. The plant is unpretentious and, with the right approach, bears fruit for up to 4 months a year. This pot looks very bright, stylish and unusual.
4. You need to wear gloves when working with hot peppers. Direct contact with the skin of your hands can cause burns. Do not touch your face or eyes with gloves.
5. Only fresh specimens without signs of rot or spoilage are suitable for long-term storage.
6. To extend the shelf life of the product, it can be lubricated with vegetable oil, but the pods must first be washed.

Video on the topic of the article

This video will show you how to preserve chili peppers for the winter:

Conclusion

Chili peppers can remain fresh for a long time if the conditions for their storage are properly organized. The place should be clean and cool, and the product should not be exposed to direct sunlight. With the right approach, the harvest can be kept fresh for six months.