How to store watermelons at home in winter

For residents of Russia, watermelon is an exclusively seasonal product. How you want to crunch it when the cold comes! Let's open a secret - there are several ways to keep a watermelon at home until the New Year. Just imagine the surprise of family and guests when they see summer fruits on the festive table.

How to surprise loved ones and save watermelon for the winter, read our article.

How to keep a watermelon before the New Year at home

You can save a watermelon until the New Year as in a private house with cellar, and in a city apartment. Consider all storage options.

In home

Store this summer berry in a private house it is easier than in an apartment - there are more suitable places and it is not so difficult to observe the required temperature regime. A great place would be an attic, basement or cellar, storage room, garage or any other cool room.

Important. Optimum temperature for storage - + 5… + 8 ° C.

In the apartment

Everything is clear with a private house, but how to keep a watermelon in an ordinary city apartment until the New Year? First, it is important to choose the right place. A pantry or a glazed balcony is most suitable for this.

After finding the perfect place, it's time to choose a storage method - there are several of them:

1. Hanging. This method is suitable for both an apartment and a house. The ideal place for hanging is a closet or basement. Find a piece of natural fabric that completely covers the watermelon, wrap it tightly and put it in a string bag or bag, hang it from the ceiling with a hook. An important point - the fruit should not be in contact with other objects or walls - hang it in the middle of the room.
2. Straw. Prepare a wooden box and line the bottom with a thick layer of straw. Lay with fruits at some distance from each other, the stalk should remain on top. Add more straw between the fruits so that it fits snugly against the watermelons on all sides.
3. Sand. For this method, you will again need a wooden box. Fill it halfway with sand. Place the berry with the stem down and gently cover with sand so that it completely covers the fruit. Place the box in any dark, cool room.
4. Water. At first glance, this method will seem strange, but nevertheless, it is also often used. The main condition for such storage is ice water. You can put a watermelon in a barrel of water in your basement or dip it into an ice hole. The watermelon is completely immersed in the water.
5. Ash. This method is suitable for those who have a stove or fireplace in their country house. Place densely dry ash in a wooden box, place the berry in it and cover completely with ash. This method is good because ash prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi, and also absorbs excess moisture.
6. Clay. Dilute the clay with water to a porridge consistency. After that, apply it in a thick layer to the berry. Let the first layer dry, then move on to the next. Repeat the procedure until the thickness of the layer is 0.5 cm. Let the clay dry completely, then put the "clay" watermelon in a bag and hang it in a dark, cool room.
7. Paraffin. The storage principle in paraffin is the same as in clay. Dip the watermelon into paraffin wax, let dry. Repeat the procedure until a thick layer of 1 cm is formed. Then let the watermelon dry completely and hang in the center of a cool room.

A few more secrets:

• it is best to choose a fruit of medium ripeness for long-term storage;
• provide free space for storage - do not allow the berries to come into contact with each other or other products;
• an important condition is a soft place, do not lay it on a hard surface;
• do not forget to check the condition of the fruit and periodically turn the watermelon so that it does not lie on one side for several months.

Observing these simple rules, any hostess will be able to surprise guests at the New Year's table.

Important. Subject to the storage rules, watermelon is stored for about four months. Guess the time in advance and prepare everything you need for the chosen method.

Choosing a watermelon for long-term storage

After choosing the storage method, it remains to choose a watermelon that is ideal for long-term storage.

Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

1. Check the fetus carefully from all sides. It should be free of dents, sunburns, cracks and other irregularities.
2. Choose late varieties... These fruits have a thicker skin, which allows them to last longer.
3. Weight matters too. A fruit weighing about 5 kg is ideal. Don't choose too small or too large watermelons.

Storage conditions

A dark, well-ventilated and cool room is sufficient for storage for several months. Optimum temperature - + 5… + 8 ° C and relative humidity - no more than 80%.

Important. At lower or higher temperatures, the watermelon will spoil very quickly. The same applies to room humidity.

After the perfect watermelon is purchased, prepare it for long-term storage:

• wash thoroughly without damaging the peel;
• wipe dry;
• leave to dry completely.

Storage alternative

If you want to crunch a watermelon on New Year's holidays, but there are no suitable conditions for long-term storage, there is one alternative - canning.

Canned not only the pulp, but also the watermelon peels, which we are used to throwing away. Preserve the pieces of watermelon in a jar like any other vegetable or fruit. This dish can be eaten all year round.

Another preparation method is watermelon jam. Boil the pulp over low heat, adding sugar to taste.

During the cooking process, the pulp turns into a viscous jam - this dish is also called "watermelon honey".

An original way of serving to the New Year's table

If the main goal is to surprise guests at the New Year's table, here are some ways to cook and serve watermelon in an original way:

1. On ice - prepare in advance more ice cubes. Take a nice, deep dish, place ice in it and place a watermelon on top. Finish the edible arrangement with a few mint leaves for garnish. Serve with champagne.
2. Bruschetta with feta cheese and watermelon - fry fresh bread in olive oil. For this dish, a ciabatta or baguette is perfect. Cut the watermelon and feta cheese into small pieces and mix together. Place the filling on toasted bread and serve to the festive table.
3. Watermelon cocktail - beat the pulp in a blender until a liquid consistency. Choose original, tall glasses for serving. Fill them with ice cubes and watermelon juice. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Add alcohol to the cocktail if desired - champagne or a little white rum.

These are just three ways to serve watermelon in an original way, in fact, even the usual slicing on a beautiful dish will surprise guests in winter, be sure.

Council. The stores sell a variety of ice cube trays. If you don't want ordinary cubes, look for something suitable for the theme of the holiday - Christmas trees, snowflakes, snowmen.

Conclusion

If you want to surprise guests at the New Year's table, treat them to a fresh watermelon. We have told you in detail how to store a watermelon in winter - this is not a complicated process at all.

The main thing is to decide on the storage method and prepare it in advance. And first of all - choose a beautiful watermelon without damage and cracks, which will become the main treat in the New Year.