Ways to keep Chinese cabbage for the winter at home fresh, canned and frozen

Peking cabbage is no less popular among cooks than white cabbage. This explains the desire of many housewives to prepare a large supply of heads of cabbage for the whole winter. Both cellars and ordinary balconies in apartments are suitable for storage. We will tell you in detail how to preserve Chinese cabbage for the winter at home.

Is it possible to keep Chinese cabbage fresh for the winter

The shelf life of Chinese cabbage is much shorter than that of white cabbage... However, this does not prevent vegetable growers from harvesting impressive volumes of the harvested crop at home.

Someone manages to save the stock prepared at the end of September, until the New Year holidays, while someone enjoys fresh vegetables until March! To extend the shelf life, cabbage is pickled, dried or frozen.

Selecting and preparing cabbage for storage

To keep the cabbage for a long time, preference is given to high-quality heads of cabbage with non-rotten leaves, not damaged by slugs and insects. Before sending for long-term storage, all copies are carefully examined and sorted out.

The varieties that are characterized by the best flavoring properties are used in food in the first place.

Suitable varieties

Only late-ripening varieties and some mid-ripening ones are suitable for winter harvesting of vegetables.... Their leaves are distinguished by their density and elasticity, and in the early Peking they are tender and soft. In the process of pickling, pickling or freezing, such heads of cabbage will become tasteless, and the greens will turn into a mushy mass.

Reference. Small ones are left for processing or consumption, and large varieties are chosen for long-term storage. They are more resistant to frost, sudden temperature changes and less prone to rotting.

The most suitable varieties of Chinese cabbage - those that are collected in Russian regions, preferably in the middle lane or southern latitudes. Heads of cabbage imported from Asian territories and imported hybrids are not suitable for winter harvesting. Such vegetables do not have sufficient keeping quality and resistance to decay.

The following varieties are well preserved:

• Wineglass;
• Asten;
• Princess;
• Russian size;
• Vorozheya;
• Wizard.

Harvest a few days after the first frostwhen the heads of cabbage are slightly frozen. Staying cabbage in subzero temperatures prolongs its shelf life and makes it more resistant to diseases and pests.

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Fresh heads of cabbage after harvesting from the beds are left on the veranda or in another ventilated room for drying. It is recommended to wash Chinese cabbage before pickling, pickling or freezing. To keep vegetables fresh, do not wet them.

Storage space

Owners of their own homes with cellars and ventilated basements have less difficulty storing crops. In the apartment, vegetables can be stored without suitable conditions only for several days... Peking cabbage is a capricious product; it quickly fades and loses its beneficial properties and taste.

In a refrigerator

The optimal storage regime for Beijing on the shelves of the refrigerator - at a temperature of + 2 ... + 3 ° C. In this case, each copy is tightly wrapped with cling film to avoid chapping and wilting of the leaves.

The lower drawers reserved for vegetables are suitable for placing the crop, as well as special plastic boxes with lids. Cabbage prepared in this form is suitable for fresh salads and snacks, but it is recommended to use it within 1 month.

On the balcony

Glazed and insulated balconies and loggias are suitable for long-term storagewhere the temperature does not fall below + 1 ° C and does not rise more than + 3 ° C. Sudden fluctuations are harmful to the heads of cabbage and cause rapid decay.

The place is chosen taking into account that sunlight does not get there. His cabbage does not tolerate and lies much better in dark rooms or under shelters that do not let light through.

Important! When equipping the balconies of home vegetable stores, the windows are opened daily for ventilation. The lack of ventilation negatively affects the quality of the heads of cabbage and the duration of their storage.

In the basement / cellar

Optimum humidity in the cellar - from 87 to 92%... When this level rises, condensation forms on the cabbage, the foliage becomes lethargic and stale. The neighborhood is also taken into account: Peking is not stacked next to apples and tomatoes. These products release substances that cause the delicate foliage to wilt.

In cellars where additional heating systems are installed or air drying, periodically install containers with water. Lowering the temperature to minus values ​​is not allowed.

Important! The room, set aside for storage for Peking cabbage, is regularly ventilated, and a forced ventilation system is installed in the cellars and basements. Stagnant air promotes the multiplication of harmful microorganisms and the formation of rot. When damage occurs, only 1-2 upper leaves are removed.

Storage methods

Depending on the possibilities, each housewife chooses for herself the most optimal way of storing the crop. For this, the usual improvised means and devices are used.

In paper

Use regular newspaper or sheets of office paper for wrapping... Each head of cabbage is wrapped in 2 layers so that there are no uncovered areas left. The paper prevents the heads of cabbage from touching, provides sufficient thermal insulation, and protects the cabbage from light and moisture.

In sand

For the longest possible storage, the Peking is dug out together with the root part., being careful not to damage it. The heads of cabbage are lightly compacted in boxes of sand so that it covers the root and part of the stump. This storage method is suitable for cellars and balconies. The sand is periodically moistened to keep the leaves fresh.

In boxes

Absolutely dry and not rotten heads of cabbage are placed in wooden boxes or special containers upside down. An embankment of no more than 3 rows is allowed, each copy is wrapped with food or plastic wrap.

Periodically, the vegetables are inspected and transferred., swapping to prevent squeezing the sides of the heads of cabbage and the appearance of mold. Drawers should have openings for air access.

In limbo

If there is not enough space in the cellar above the placed boxes with vegetables equip a wooden shelf or nail it to the ceiling... Each head of cabbage is attached separately to the nails driven into it, wrapped with a rope around the stump. When harvesting, at least 3 cm of stumps are left.

In this state, vegetables are well stored due to adequate ventilation. It is convenient to inspect them for signs of rot and mold.

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other methods

Peking cabbage does not need to be kept freshtaking up large spaces for drawers and hanging shelves. The crop is used to prepare delicious canned food, and is also frozen and dried.

Freezing

Before freezing, the leaves are carefully examined, the head is cut, since insect pests often take root inside. Further:

1. The vegetable is washed in cool water.
2. Immerse in salted boiling water for 1 minute.
3. Place the blanched leaves on a towel and dry.
4. Cabbage is shredded or sent to the freezer with whole leaves, wrapped in foil or placed in plastic containers.

The frozen semi-finished product is used for hot dishes, casseroles, as a filling for pies and dumplings.

Drying

An electric dryer or oven is suitable for this.... The head of cabbage is cut in half, examined for pests inside and chopped. The resulting mass is laid out in one layer on a baking sheet or a special stand and sent to dry at a temperature of 70-80 ° C for 4-5 hours.

Periodically, the cabbage is gently turned over. The finished product is laid out in paper or linen bags and sent to a dry place (such as kitchen cabinets or closet).

Canning

Souring Chinese cabbage is undesirable, its leaves quickly become soft under the influence of salt, sugar, vinegar and other ingredients. Because of this, the main advantage of the product is lost - crunchiness. However, a cooked pickled dish will always come in handy in winter.

For canning, take a set of products:

• 0.5 kg of cabbage;
• 0.5 tbsp. vinegar;
• 40 g sugar;
• 3 tbsp. l. salt;
• a few peas of allspice;
• half a pod of hot pepper;
• bay leaf and cloves - optional.

Cooking procedure:

1. The head of cabbage is washed well under running water.
2. They are chopped into strips 4-5 cm long.
3. They are placed in sterile jars, slightly tamped.
4. In a separate bowl, boil 0.5 liters of water, add spices and pour in vinegar at the end of cooking.
5. Jars of cabbage are filled with boiling marinade, sealed and wrapped in a blanket for 24 hours.

Storage periods

A high-quality and undamaged crop is stored for 4-5 months... Temperature drops, high humidity, and non-observance of the ventilation regime are significantly reduced.

The product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 month., regularly inspecting it and changing the packaging cling film with damaged top leaves.

How to keep fresh until the new year

To pamper loved ones and guests with fresh salads on New Year's holidays, Chinese cabbage is stored in the cellar, in boxes with wet sand... So the heads of cabbage retain their taste, useful properties and presentation.

How is it stored on an industrial scale in a vegetable store

Large volumes of the crop are placed in specially equipped warehouses - vegetable stores. There, with the help of modern automation and devices, they maintain the specified humidity, temperature and carry out forced ventilation.... In such rooms, not only Peking is placed, but also white cabbage, carrots, potatoes, beets and onions.

Conclusion

Storing Chinese cabbage at home is an easy way to stock up on vitamin and fresh vegetables for a few winter months. A balcony or cellar, as well as a refrigerator, are used as a home vegetable storage.

Subject to the optimum humidity and temperature maintenance, the heads of cabbage lie until mid-winter. In the absence of available fresh storage places, they are canned, frozen or dried.