Despite the fact that broccoli cabbage is sufficiently resistant to low temperature, drought and not as difficult to grow as, for example, cauliflower, namely its storage causes the most difficulties.
Too fast she fades and does not like too much moisture. Broccoli belongs to products with very short shelf life. But there are ways to eat such cabbage all year round.
Variety selection
Which broccoli cabbage varieties are best suited for storage? Broccoli varieties can be divided into three groups. The first is early ripe varietiesgrowing season from 75 to 90 days. This group includes early maturing varieties - from 70 to 75 days.
The second group is mid-season varieties with a growing season of 95-100 days. And the last group - late-ripening varieties, the growing season of which is more than 105 days.
Late ripening varieties more resistant uncomfortable weather conditions, which is very important, because vegetables that are not affected by sudden changes in weather are most suitable for storage.
And one more small advantage - usually during the harvest of late ripening varieties it is already cool, and broccoli should be removed on a cool day.
Fundamental rules
How to store broccoli for the winter? In order to preserve broccoli for sure during the term, which cabbages should be stored, one must not only observe the rules of storage.
It is important to choose such vegetables that sure it will survive.
And then collect them correctly, so as not to spoil the good harvest, which will make it impossible to save it.
In no case you can not let the cabbage even slightly overripe, as eating over-ripe cabbage is not just tasteless, but also pointless. Broccoli starting to bloom immediately acquires a bitter taste, rigidity and loses most of its beneficial qualities.
In order not to allow cabbage to overripe, it should be checked a little. ahead of schedule, as it may vary depending on conditions. To determine whether the cabbage is ripe enough, simple signs will help:
- fresh, unripe broccoli has a deep dark green color;
- head in diameter 10-12 cm;
- no yellow spots on the inflorescences;
- cabbage heads are dense and strong;
- central inflorescences slightly larger than the extreme.
By these signs, you can also choose fresh cabbage in the store - do not go wrong. And if you have your own broccoli crop, and it is ripe enough, then it’s time to start proper harvesting.
Harvest
How to clean broccoli for storage? Proper cleaning of broccoli cabbage - the key to successful storage. Shelf life does not depend much on what kind of refrigerator you have and how cabbage lies there.
Such cabbage is no longer worth eating, as the culinary value is minimized. You can avoid this by adhering to important rules when cleaning:
- Put the broccoli in coolest watches days to keep her warm. Cabbage is very sensitive to him and immediately begins to wither.
- Cut broccoli not exactly under the head, but lower by 10-12 cm.
- Do not tear off the head, and carefully cut off to do not damage the stemwho will stay in the garden! He still needed.
- Broccoli is resistant to low temperatures, but not below -2 ° C. Otherwise the cabbage will just freeze.
After harvesting, you need to hide the harvest as soon as possible in the refrigerator so that minimize heat exposure. It is recommended to do this in a maximum of 30 minutes. Therefore, it is advisable to choose in advance the method of storage and, if possible, prepare everything necessary to remove the cabbage immediately.
It was mentioned above that cut stalks in the garden will be useful later. The fact is that they can still up to 6 times give young side shoots with small heads-inflorescences that will provide additional crop. Young heads are ideal for storage in the refrigerator and freezer. This is a sin not to use.
You can find out on how to harvest white cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts correctly on our website.
Optimal conditions
Broccoli can not be a single extra minute to be warm, and also requires constant high humidity. Therefore, the only suitable storage space is the refrigerator (or freeze in the freezer).
But even with the observance of the conditions and rules of preparation and storage, broccoli can last fresh for a maximum of two weeks, more often - no more than a week. The only way that broccoli will provide you for 6-12 months after harvesting - it is freezing.
Ways
How to keep broccoli at home?
In a refrigerator
How to store broccoli in the fridge correctly? There are several ways to keep broccoli in the fridge.
The first way to save cabbage for 5-9 days in a water tank:
- Take a suitable container and pour 1-2 cm of water.
- Place the broccoli head in a container so that the inflorescences are outside.
- Cover the inflorescences with a plastic bag.
- Make a few holes in it so that air can flow to the cabbage.
- Put broccoli in the fridge.
Water follows change every day.
The second way - storing broccoli in a paper napkin. So the cabbage will lie for 3-4 days:
- Pour water into the spray bottle and spray the florets.
- Wrap the cabbage in paper towels so that they absorb excess moisture.
- Towels should not fit snugly.
- Put in the fridge.
The third method is more suitable for those who do not have time to track the status of cabbage. But it also keeps the fresh look of broccoli. only 2-3 days:
- Take a plastic bag and make several holes in it so that air can flow to the cabbage.
- Spread the cabbage into the bags, each head - its own bag.
- Put in the fridge.
The fact is that being completely in the bag, even with holes, the cabbage is quickly rots and starts to rot. Therefore, the method is not entirely successful.
There is one question: Do I need to wash the cabbage before you store it? Broccoli does not like excessive moisture, so it is best to wash it immediately before use. But if you really want to, then you can wash the cabbage and before storage, just need dry well her.
In freezer
A week or even two is a very short time. What if you want to leave broccoli for the winter?
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to preserve it fresh, but it can be completely dispensed with by freezing.
With proper freezing cabbage almost does not lose appetizing appearance and useful qualities.
Instruction:
- First of all, specially selected vegetables for storage Rinse.
- Dissolve 2-3 teaspoons in warm water in a cup. vinegar or salt and place broccoli florets there for 15-20 minutes. This procedure will certainly relieve the cabbage from dirt and insects.
- Rinse the cabbage well in clean cold water and dry.
- Disassemble broccoli on inflorescences about 3 cm in diameter and the same in length.
- To remove the enzymes that spoil the frozen product, cabbage is needed fling around.
- Boil a pot of water and place the inflorescences there. for three minutes.
- Prepare a cup with ice water and immediately after cooking, dip the inflorescences into it to immediately stop the process.
- Drain and dry the cabbage.
- Pack in sealed bags. Try to remove all excess air. Perfect fit vacuum bags and containers.
- Put in freezer and enjoy broccoli throughout the year.
On how to freeze these types of cabbage, such as color, Brussels sprouts or white cabbage, you can learn from our articles.
Broccoli is considered to be the most useful type of cabbage. It contains substances and vitamins that enhance immunity, as well as prevent the occurrence of cancer, which makes it almost an invaluable product.
Broccoli is an ideal addition to the diet, as it helps to get rid of cellulite. So broccoli is clearly worth the effort spent on growing and storing.
