We save the harvest until spring: how to store zucchini for the winter correctly and what conditions need to be created for vegetables

Zucchini, the pulp of which is rich in vitamins and minerals, is a decoration for everyday and festive tables. This vegetable contains potassium, iron, fiber, vitamins... This vegetable is 95% water. Due to its properties, it is used in dietary and baby food, suitable for people with digestive problems, as well as in recovery after long-term treatment.

Many housewives for the winter harvest squash caviar, salads, pickle fruits in pieces, freeze. But with the right choice of storage conditions for fruits in the cellar, preservation can be avoided and vegetables can be kept fresh.

Proven zucchini varieties for winter storage

Consider which types of zucchini suitable for winter storage in the cellar.

Farmers recommend late varieties:

• Festival;
• Gold Cup;
• Gribovsky;
• Aeronaut;
• Arlika.

A distinctive feature of these species is dense skin, large size, small seeds, dryish pulp.

How and when to collect zucchini for storage

Late varieties of zucchini bear fruit three months after planting in the garden. At the end of August, ripe vegetables without mechanical damage and signs of decay are stored in the cellar. It is necessary to harvest the crop before the onset of the first frost.

Important. Overripe fruit should not be allowed. To protect the vegetable from pests, leave the stalk of at least 5 cm. You cannot wash the vegetable marrow before storage. It is enough to shake off the ground or wipe with a dry cloth. Wait until the fruit is fully ripe for a firm rind.

Is it possible to keep zucchini in the basement until spring

A cellar (basement) with a temperature range of +4 to +8 degrees and a humidity of 80-85% is an ideal place for storing vegetables. This ratio of indicators is favorable for extending the shelf life of the crop and the possibility of preserving it until spring.

Zucchini do not like high humidity. Provide good ventilation in the cellar. And be sure to take measures to destroy rodents - carry out deratization, get rid of mold, do a complete cleaning of the room.

How to store zucchini in a cellar or basement in winter

Lay the fruits on racks or shelves in one layer at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other so that they do not touch. If your cellar doesn't have shelves, place vegetables in boxes.

To protect against moisture and spread diseases lay dry straw in boxes, lay wax paper or make partitions from thick cardboard. This will save the harvest.

Place ripe zucchini in plastic or wooden crates and place on the floor. Use these vegetables first. Many are interested in how much zucchini are stored with this method. The shelf life of vegetables is 2-4 weeks.

Attention.For zucchini in the cellar, they choose a place far from the main crop. They do not like the neighborhood with other vegetables and fruits. Next to pears, melons, apples, bell peppers, tomatoes the shelf life is reduced by 2-3 times.

Storage duration

If you control the level of humidity, the temperature in the cellar (basement), provide ventilation and protection from rodents, the crop will be stored in the basement (cellar) for 6-8 months.

Every two weeks it is necessary to check the fruits and throw out those on which there are signs of decay and mold.

Summer residents tips and secrets:

1. Cut the fruit off the bush with a pruner or knife.An even cut increases the shelf life of the vegetable.
2. Put the collected zucchini in the sun to harden the skin. In this form, it does not allow moisture to evaporate from the pulp and retains its taste.
3. Turn the fruit every two weeks, check the condition of the stalk. From it, you will understand the state of the vegetable in winter and can immediately remove the spoiled one.
4. Try storing zucchini by hanging each one from the ceiling of the cellar in a net or nylon stocking.
5. Fruits, on which mold has appeared, are immediately thrown away; it is not recommended to eat them even after heat treatment.

Important.Plastic bags are not suitable for this storage method. Vegetables spoil in them.

Conclusion

If the method of storing zucchini in the cellar suits you, start preparing for it already at the end of winter, when you choose varieties of zucchini for planting on summer cottage.

Prepare a basement in the summer so that you can start putting crops there at the beginning of autumn. We hope that the storage rules and advice of experienced summer residents described in our article will help you save zucchini until spring.