Where to store fresh eggplants in an apartment

It is best to store fresh eggplants frozen or dried - then the period reaches 12 months or more. If kept fresh in the cellar, the maximum shelf life is three months. When stored in the refrigerator – up to 15 days.

When to Harvest Eggplants

To properly store eggplants for the winter, it is necessary to harvest them on time. The timing depends on the characteristics of the variety, climatic conditions and care. Since vegetables are intended for storage, you should not wait until they are fully ripe - harvesting is carried out at the stage of technical ripeness. You should focus on several parameters:

• ripening dates indicated in the description of a particular variety;
• fruits with elastic pulp;
• seeds are underdeveloped, poorly expressed;
• glossy shine of the peel.

Early ripening eggplants are harvested 90-110 days after sowing the seeds for seedlings. Mid-early varieties are harvested after 120-130 days, and late varieties - after 130-140 days.

Which eggplants are suitable for storage?

Not every variety of eggplant is suitable for storing at home. In order to preserve the fruits for as long as possible, it is recommended to choose mid-ripening and late varieties. The following varieties are best suited:

• Romantic;
• Policeman;
• Sophia;
• Diamond;
• Mishutka;
• Torpedo;
• Universal-6;
• Namesake.

To properly store eggplants at home, it is recommended to choose fresh fruits that meet several requirements:

• smooth shape without distortion;
• absence of mechanical damage (dents, cracks, holes, scratches);
• absence of signs of diseases and pest infestations;
• the surface is smooth and slightly shiny;
• the stalk is green;
• the structure of the pulp is elastic (you can pick one, cut it and check).

Eggplant storage conditions

The optimal storage conditions for fresh eggplants are:

• temperature from -10 to +6 degrees;
• air humidity from 75% to 85%;
• dark place;
• regular ventilation (without air stagnation).

Store vegetables at a temperature no higher than +6 degrees

You can provide such conditions in an apartment (refrigerator, niche), but if possible, it is better to put the vegetables in the basement or cellar.

They can lie down for no more than five days, after which it is necessary to prepare a dish from the vegetables or make preparations for the winter.

Preparation for storage

To increase the shelf life of fresh eggplants, they need to be properly prepared. The main stages are:

1. Harvest on a warm day without rain. When cutting in sectors, leave a stem of 3-4 cm.
2. Immediately cover fresh fruits or move them under a canopy to keep out the sun.
3. Select healthy eggplants for storage.
4. If there are drops (after watering, rain), let them dry in a ventilated area or in the open air.

There is no need to specially wash fresh eggplants - excess moisture is not needed. But if you plan to preserve, freeze or wither, you should rinse it in water and let it dry.

How to properly store fresh eggplants

Fresh fruits are stored in different ways, for example, in a cellar or in a special niche for vegetables (in an apartment). Basic methods and practical recommendations are described below.

In the basement or cellar

The best storage method is in the basement or cellar (under the floor). A stable temperature is maintained here in the range of 0-5 degrees. But it is important to regularly ventilate the room to prevent dampness and air stagnation. In such conditions, you can keep the fruits for 2-3 months.

There are several options for storing fresh eggplants in a utility room:

1. On straw in paper. The fruits are wrapped in paper (not newspaper) and laid out on dry straw (3 cm layer). You can make several levels and cover with bags made of natural fabric. You need to periodically monitor the temperature - if it drops close to zero, additionally cover with a warm blanket.
2. In ash or sand - take wooden boxes with slats (if the surface is solid, make holes). Ash or sand 2 cm high is placed on the bottom, respectively. Fresh fruits are laid out and covered with the same material. Then they make several more levels (up to 5). It is not necessary to cover with blankets - just cover with sand.
3. Paper bags - 2-3 fresh eggplants are placed in each of them, and then carefully tied with thread for storage to create airtight conditions.
4. Sawdust is one of the unusual, but also proven storage methods. First, a hole 1.5 fruits high is dug in the basement soil. Cover with sawdust or dry straw. Then insert the vegetables so that the cuttings are at the bottom. On the second row, on the contrary, eggplants are placed with the cuttings facing up. Sprinkle with sawdust and check after two days to ensure the vegetables have not spoiled. Wrap each of them in paper and lay out in the same pattern.

It is recommended to keep vegetables in wooden boxes

In apartment conditions

Storing fresh vegetables in an apartment is also quite possible. There are several available ways to do this:

1. In a special pantry (niche) in the kitchen. Here it is possible to maintain the temperature in the range of 0-6 degrees. In such conditions, fruits can be preserved for up to 70 days. If the temperature rises above 8 degrees, up to 1 month.
2. Storing fresh vegetables is only permissible on an insulated balcony. If it is not insulated, they should only be kept in boxes. Place a thick blanket under them and wrap the container on all sides. Shelf life reaches 1.5-2.5 months.
3. You can store vegetables here for up to 1.5 months, since the temperature is quite high. To increase the period to two months, it is recommended to place them in a fabric net (with the stems up) and hang them in a dark place.

Can eggplants be stored in the refrigerator?

Storing fresh vegetables in the refrigerator is limited because it is not possible to create the desired temperature. The terms are short – up to 15 days. To prolong them as much as possible, proceed as follows:

1. Dry the fruits thoroughly.
2. Wrapped in individual paper packaging (two layers).
3. Place in containers and cover with a lid.
4. Place in the vegetable compartment.
5. The paper is changed every 2-3 days.

Can eggplants be stored in the freezer?

It is with the help of a freezer that you can achieve maximum shelf life for fruits - up to 8-12 months. In this case, it is necessary to constantly maintain the temperature at -11 degrees and below.

It is worth considering that fresh eggplants cannot be frozen. They must first be prepared according to the following instructions:

1. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Use a knife to remove all dented and damaged areas.
3. Cut into cubes, rings or other pieces.
4. Dissolve salt (100 g) in water (1 l).
5. Soak the pieces for 1 hour.
6. Boil water, put vegetables in boiling water and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Place in a colander and let the water drain completely.
8. Then place on a baking sheet in one layer.
9. Place in the freezer for several hours.
10. Once completely frozen, transfer to a tight bag or container with a lid.
11. Place in the freezer for long-term storage (up to one year).

Frozen pieces can be kept for 8-12 months

Other ways to store eggplants

There are other ways to store fresh vegetables for a long time. For example, they can be dried, withered or preserved. The main options are described below.

Drying

There are several drying methods:

1. Outdoors - pieces of fresh fruit are strung on a thread and hung under a canopy or in a ventilated area. It needs to dry for 7-10 days.
2. In the oven - cut into several round pieces, place on a baking sheet in one layer and incubate for 30 minutes at 200 degrees. Then reduce to 100, open the door slightly and dry for another 5-6 hours.
3. In a special electric dryer, fresh fruits are cut into pieces, laid out in one layer and dried for 7-8 hours.

The shelf life of dried fruits is very long - 12-14 months. They can be soaked in water and used to prepare various dishes.

Drying

Drying fresh eggplants for long-term storage is carried out using the same methods as drying. But at the same time, the processing time is reduced by half. For example, the pieces are kept in an electric dryer not for eight hours, but for four.

You can store dried, peeled eggplants for no more than 5-6 months, because, unlike dried ones, moisture remains in them. In this case, the pieces must be filled with sunflower oil and placed in the refrigerator.

Canning

Another convenient way, thanks to which storage is possible for 12-18 months. There are quite a lot of recipes. For example, to prepare eggplant caviar, use the following products:

• eggplants – 2 kg;
• water – 3 l;
• tomatoes – 1.5 kg;
• turnip onion – 1 kg;
• carrots – 1 kg;
• bell pepper – 1 kg;
• hot pepper – 1-2 pods;
• vegetable oil – 400 ml;
• sugar – 1 tbsp. l.;
• salt – 5 tbsp. l.;
• vinegar 9% - 2 tbsp. l.

Sequencing:

1. Wash fresh fruits and cut them into equal cubes.
2. Place in a large dish, add salt (5 tbsp) and add water (3 l).
3. Leave on the table for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cut the onion and pepper into small cubes.
5. Finely chop the hot pepper pods.
6. Peel the carrots and chop on a grater.
7. Drain the water from the eggplants and squeeze.
8. Fry them in vegetable oil and transfer to a saucepan.
9. Separately fry the onions and carrots.
10. Next, fry the tomatoes and sweet peppers.
11. Place all ingredients in a saucepan with eggplants.
12. Add spices, cook over low heat for 40 minutes. Add vinegar a few minutes before cooking.
13. Pour into sterilized jars and roll up the lids.

Eggplant caviar can be used as an appetizer for meat dishes

There is another recipe for storing eggplants for the winter. It is called “mother-in-law’s tongue” because the appetizer is hot, spicy, and has a bright taste. For cooking you will need the following products:

• fresh eggplants – 4 kg;
• tomatoes – 10 pcs.;
• bell pepper – 10 pcs.;
• garlic (heads) – 5 pcs.;
• hot pepper – 4 pods;
• vinegar 9% - 150 ml;
• sunflower oil – 250 ml;
• sugar – 200 g;
• salt – 30 g (2 tbsp.).

Sequencing:

1. Take fresh eggplants, rinse, cut into equal circles.
2. Place in a bowl, sprinkle with salt and leave for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse under running water.
4. Meanwhile, cut the hot and bell peppers into several pieces.
5. Peel the garlic.
6. Pour boiling water over the tomatoes and remove the skins.
7. Mince the peppers, garlic and tomatoes.
8. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan, add all the spices, sunflower oil and bring to a boil.
9. Add the eggplants and cook for 30 minutes over moderate heat (low simmer).
10. Place in sterilized jars and seal with lids.

The shelf life of preservation is quite long - from 12 months. It is better to keep jars in the refrigerator or in the cellar. After opening, store in a cool place for no more than three days.

Conclusion

Storing fresh eggplants is not that difficult. The main thing is to create suitable conditions for them. If this is not possible, it is better not to risk it and prepare dried, dried or frozen pieces.Also, some of the fruits can be sent for preservation.

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