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There are carrot beds on every summer cottage. This is not surprising, because carrots are healthy and very tasty; without them it is difficult to imagine traditional borscht, eggplant caviar, salads and savory snacks. Many housewives make pies and pancakes from the orange vegetable. All this explains the desire of the owners to preserve at least part of the carrot harvest until the next season - this is how they stock up on useful vitamins and microelements.
You can learn about how to store carrots at home, how to properly prepare a carrot harvest for storage, as well as ways to preserve vitamins from this article.
Rules for storing carrots
Any vegetable retains maximum nutrients and vitamins only with properly organized storage.
All the beneficial properties of carrots can be preserved if Maintain an environment suitable for this product:
- The first rule requires maintaining a constant temperature within from 0 to +5 degrees. If the thermometer drops below zero, the root vegetables will freeze, which will subsequently lead to rotting of the carrots. Higher temperatures are perceived by vegetables as the onset of spring, which is why they begin to sprout and wither.
- Humidity in the storage should also be within normal limits: about 65%. This is the only way the carrots will remain juicy, will not wither, and will not begin to rot and deteriorate. To prevent the evaporation of moisture from the root crops, the tops of the carrots are cut off, and the vegetables are also covered with moisture-intensive materials (sand, sawdust, etc.).
- Ventilation storage plays an important role. Root vegetables retain all their nutrients and do not get sick or become infected if the room is regularly ventilated.
How to preserve carrots for the winter
For those who live in a private house, it is much easier to preserve carrots until next spring. Usually such owners have a cellar, barn or, in extreme cases, a garage. By properly organizing storage in such rooms, you can enjoy fresh carrots all winter long.
It is somewhat more difficult for city residents and apartment dwellers to stock up on vitamins. But for them, there are several convenient and effective ways to store carrots in the apartment.
In any case, before storing carrot roots, they should be prepared for a long winter. Also, the storage facility itself needs special preparation.
Storing carrots correctly: preparing the harvest
Only those root vegetables that have undergone special preparation will be stored well. To do this you need to do the following:
- harvest. Time picking carrots directly related to its variety. Noted, that middle and late varieties of root vegetables are most suitable for storing for the winter at home. Typically, such carrots are harvested at the end of August or at the beginning of September, because it is at this time that the active weight gain of the root crop ends. It is best to pull out carrots by carefully pulling them out by the tops. If the soil is too dry and dense, you can dig up the vegetable with a shovel.
- After pulling out the carrots, they should lie in the sun for a couple of hours. During this time, the root crops will weather and dry out.
- Then the carrot tops are cut off. To do this, use a sharp knife or large scissors (secateurs). You need to cut off all the tops, right down to the growing point. If this is not done, the carrots will certainly germinate ahead of schedule, as a result of which they will wither and lose their taste.
- Now the crop is thoroughly dried, after cleaning each carrot from adhering dirt. Carrots should be dried in a shady, well-ventilated place. You should not pour root vegetables directly onto the ground; you need to lay down a film, tarpaulin or thick fabric.
After drying, the root vegetables are sorted: it is not recommended to store small and large carrots together.
It is strictly forbidden to wash vegetables before storing them; you just need to clean them of dry soil. Wash only those carrots that will be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Gardeners note that not all varieties of carrots store equally well. Root vegetables of medium size and conical shape are most suitable for these purposes. Cylindrical large carrots do not store well; these varieties are best consumed directly from the garden.
How to store carrots in winter in a private house
It is definitely much easier for residents of the private sector to preserve any root crops until next spring, because they usually have basements. The cellar has optimal conditions for storing not only carrots, but also potatoes, beets, apples. There is high humidity and constant above-zero temperatures. The only thing that can harm the crop is fungal spores, insects and rodents, so you will have to fight them.
How to properly store carrots in the basement
To preserve carrots for the winter, it is not enough to simply place them in the basement; you need special treatment and a suitable storage. There are several ways to store carrots in winter at home:
- In a bucket or enamel pan. In principle, any container with a lid is suitable for this method. In this case, the carrots are folded vertically, the root vegetables are covered with a piece of thick cloth on top and the container is closed with a lid. The fabric will absorb excess moisture from fresh root vegetables, and subsequently will gradually release it back to the vegetables.
- Any bags Also great for winter storage of carrots. These can be canvas, fabric, or plastic bags. Root vegetables are simply placed in a bag, sprinkling layers of carrots with fresh sawdust. There is no need to tie the bag; vegetables should “breathe”. Place the carrots in a corner of the cellar, where it is dry and dark.
- Wooden and plastic boxes, thick cardboard boxes They will also perfectly preserve the harvest until spring. The carrots are folded so that their tails do not touch each other, that is, in a checkerboard pattern. The root crops themselves should also not touch neighboring ones. Be sure to sprinkle the crop with moisture-absorbing disinfectant material. Pine sawdust (only fresh), onion or garlic peels are well suited - these materials actively resist the appearance of fungal spores and rot. Sand is also suitable, especially good if it is slightly damp - this way the carrots will not wither and will be crispy and juicy throughout the winter.
- Can be stored for a very long time carrots sealed in clay. This method is labor-intensive and dirty, but it allows you to preserve root vegetables in their original form until next summer (up to nine months). Peeled root vegetables are placed in a solution of liquid clay, then taken out and placed in boxes or boxes. The clay must dry before being placed in the cellar.
- Some gardeners leaving carrots to overwinter in the beds. To do this, it needs to be prepared accordingly. First, cut off the tops, then sprinkle the carrot bed with dry sand and cover with a thick film. Now you need to cover the film with a thick layer of insulating material (sawdust, leaves, humus or spruce branches). All this is covered with roofing felt so that the insulation does not get wet in the rain. In such a shelter, carrots are not afraid of frost and precipitation, they will remain fresh until the next harvest.
Where to store carrots in an apartment
Everything is clear with the cellar, but what should people do who live in apartments and do not have underground storage facilities, sheds and basements? Turns out, You can store carrots throughout the winter even in an ordinary city apartment.
And this can be done in several interesting ways:
- Perfect for storing carrots at home glazed balcony or loggia. Carrots are stored there the same way as in the basement: in bags, boxes or simply on shelves. Be sure to sprinkle the root vegetables with sawdust, husks or sand. The container with vegetables is well wrapped with warm blankets, felt or other heat insulators. It is important to monitor the temperature on the balcony; if it stays above zero, heating the carrots is not necessary, otherwise it will freeze.
- In a cold storage room You can save the harvest this way: wrap each root crop in newspaper and put it in a wooden box or cardboard box. This method is suitable for cases where there are only a few carrots.
- In a refrigerator Carrots are stored in plastic bags or in airtight plastic containers - this way they can last for several weeks. The vegetables are first washed and dried.
- Before bookmarking in the freezer It is recommended to chop the carrots: grate them, cut them into cubes, circles or large strips (it all depends on the dishes that the housewife will prepare in winter). The chopped vegetables are placed in small plastic bags.
If carrots previously did not last until spring, it means they were simply stored incorrectly.To provide your family with vitamins all year round, you need to follow the recommendations for storing carrots at home for the winter.
