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You can store cabbage in the refrigerator for 1.5-2 months if you wrap the heads of cabbage in paper and cling film or put them in bags with several holes. To increase the period, it is recommended to chop the forks, put them in thermal bags and put them in the freezer. This method will allow you to save them until the next harvest - the shelf life will be from 9 to 12 months.
Can cabbage be stored in the refrigerator?
For long-term storage of cabbage at home, a refrigerator is suitable. Here it is possible to provide suitable conditions:
- temperature range 0-5 degrees Celsius;
- high humidity - 80-90% (for this, the heads of cabbage are wrapped in film);
- darkness.
It is especially important to monitor the temperature. If it rises by more than 4-5 degrees, the storage period of the cabbage will be shortened due to the fact that it will soften, and in combination with high humidity it may rot. If the temperature drops below 0, the heads of cabbage will freeze. They will be preserved, but this will have a bad effect on the taste.
Where is the best place to place it?
In modern refrigerators, vegetables are stored in the freshness zone. This is the name given to the special space between the freezer and refrigerator compartment. The temperature here is maintained at about 3-4 degrees Celsius, as well as high humidity. These are optimal conditions for preserving vegetables, including cabbage.
If there is no such zone, the heads of cabbage are placed in the compartment with vegetables and covered with a lid on top. It is opened periodically to provide fresh air.
The freshness zone is specially designed for vegetables and fruits
How to properly store cabbage in the refrigerator
You can store cabbage in the refrigerator in different forms - fresh head, chopped, frozen, stewed. Depending on this, optimal storage periods are determined.
Fresh
Keeping fresh cabbage for a long time is quite possible. Even if you just put it in the compartment with vegetables, the head of cabbage will last about a month. And if you pack it in several layers of cling film, the shelf life can be increased to 6-8 weeks.
After a few days, the top leaves of the cabbage will become flabby. Therefore, even dirty ones do not need to be removed - they will remain as additional “packaging”.
Frozen
The shelf life of fresh cabbage in the refrigerator increases significantly if it is frozen. This is the most reliable method that allows you to remove vegetables for 9-12 months, i.e. actually until the next harvest. Such a long storage period is possible only if low temperature conditions are observed (-18 degrees or slightly lower).
The preparation instructions are as follows:
- Chop the leaves into thin strips.
- Place compactly in a container or in a bag designed specifically for freezing.
- Place in the freezer or chest.
Freezing as a storage method has several advantages. Allows you to completely preserve vitamins and other useful substances. The shelf life is as long as possible. But the flesh loses its crunch and partly its appearance. It is not suitable for making salads.
It cannot be re-frozen. Therefore, when putting into bags, you should make small portions that can actually be used at a time.
cut
You can also store cabbage in the refrigerator cut up. This need is often encountered when the head of cabbage is very large, but not so much vegetable is required, for example, for soup or salad. Then the fork is cut in half, one part is used for cooking, and the second is tightly wrapped in paper and cling film.
Then they put it in the refrigerator compartment with vegetables. Shelf life is 1-2 weeks. In this case, the cut will inevitably dry out, so before using the cabbage again, it is better to trim this layer with a sharp knife.
Stewed
The shelf life of stewed cabbage in the refrigerator is as short as possible. This product can be kept for no more than three days. It is advisable to leave the mixture in the pan under the lid or transfer it to a plate and cover the top with cling film or a bag.
Stewed cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
If there is a need for long-term storage of the product, it is allowed to cool completely, placed in a food container or thermal bag and sent to the freezer (temperature -18 degrees). In such conditions, storage is allowed for 5-6 months. You can make dumplings in the same way and also freeze them for future use throughout the winter.
Shredded (grated)
Shredded cabbage has a short shelf life in the refrigerator. If you put it in a plate and cover it with film or in a food container, you can keep it for up to 24 hours. For long-term preservation, it is recommended to freeze - then the product can be kept for up to 12 months.
Fermented
It is best to store sauerkraut in the refrigerator. This is a tasty and healthy snack that you can keep for a long time. Specific timing depends on capacity:
- In a wooden tub for 6-8 months (it is often taken out to the balcony, kept at a temperature of -1 to +2 degrees).
- In a glass, hermetically sealed jar in the refrigerator, the product can be kept for up to six months.
- The same amount is stored in enamel containers.
- In plastic, securely closed trays - no more than three months.
Dried
You can also store young cabbage in the refrigerator in dried form. To prepare, proceed as follows:
- Remove the top leaves from the heads of cabbage.
- Cut into small cubes of 2-3 cm using a sharp knife.
- On the eve of drying, immerse the pieces in boiling water for literally two minutes.
- Place on a sieve and cool under running water for another minute.
- Shake it off and let the water drain.
- Place in a single layer in a drying rack or on an oven tray.
- Dry at a temperature of 60 degrees for 4-5 hours.
- Allow to cool, put into bags and place in the refrigerator. The shelf life is 1.5-2 months.
Leaves can be cut into squares or strips for drying.
How to keep fresh cabbage in the refrigerator longer
To keep fresh cabbage in the refrigerator for a long time, it is recommended to follow these tips:
- Wrap the heads of cabbage in 2-3 layers of cling film. It is advisable to make several holes in it. The forks themselves should first be wrapped in thick paper - it will absorb excess moisture and prevent the flesh from rotting. Periodically, the paper layer needs to be replaced.
- Another way to increase shelf life is to wrap the heads of cabbage in thick paper and then put them in a plastic bag. You first need to make several holes in it for air access.
- The longest shelf life can be achieved not in the refrigerator, but in the freezer - up to 12 months.
- You can keep sauerkraut for a long time. Even if you put it in ordinary glass jars, the shelf life will be up to six months. After opening, store no more than three days in the refrigerator.
Features of storing different types of cabbage
The shelf life of white cabbage in the refrigerator is largely determined not only by the conditions, but also by the characteristics of the variety. In terms of storage duration, three groups can be distinguished:
- Early varieties are stored the least. Even if all conditions are met, the forks can be kept for no more than 1.5-2 months.
- Mid-season crops are stored in the refrigerator longer - up to 2-3 months.
- The storage period for late-ripening cabbage is up to 7-9 months. This is possible if you maintain the temperature in the range of 0-2 degrees Celsius.
The period is partly influenced by the characteristics of agricultural technology. If you grow the crop yourself, it is better to do it on loamy rather than sandy soils. It is important to monitor moderate watering and not get carried away with nitrogen fertilizers. They must be applied strictly according to the instructions and only in late spring - early summer.During the period of active formation of heads of cabbage, nitrogen is no longer given - phosphorus and potassium are added instead.
Conclusion
You can store cabbage in the refrigerator for quite a long time, especially if you put it in the freezer, ferment it or pickle it. You can also send the heads of cabbage to the freshness zone. If you additionally pack them in paper and cling film, the shelf life will be 1.5-2 months.
