To this day, the issue of storage of root crops is relevant, as they are grown in a particular season, and used throughout the year. You can store them in different ways, each of which has its own characteristics, which are discussed further in the article.
Abandonment in the ground
This method is not used for the entire crop, but for some part of it. It allows you to save root crops for their use in the spring.
Keeping carrots in the ground is easy. During the autumn harvest, you need to leave the necessary part of it in the ground. Cut the tops completely. Be sure to cover the area with carrots with a film and cover it with dry leaves and sawdust. It is necessary to lay a layer of roofing material on top - at the edges it must be pressed down with bricks.
A plot prepared in this way provides storage of carrots throughout the winter. It needs to be excavated in early spring, but not all at once, but in parts as necessary. Vegetables in the ground can be stored until the end of spring.
Cellar storage
In the cellar, you can store carrots in several proven ways.
In sawdust
The cellar is an excellent option for storing various vegetables. Saving them longer and sawdust helps better.
To store vegetables in this way, boxes are needed. Sawdust is poured onto the bottom of each tank, and root crops are laid out on top - their contact is excluded. The lined layer of carrots is covered with sawdust, then a layer of root crops is again laid out, which is again covered with sawdust. In such a way you can fill the boxes to the top.
Root crops sprinkled with sawdust can be stored for up to a year. Raw materials are best used coniferous. It contains more volatile, preventing the germination of vegetables, as well as some of their inherent diseases (viral diseases, fungus).
In sand
The principle of storage in sand is the same as in sawdust. You can sprinkle vegetables with both dry and wet sand. In addition to boxes, it is convenient to use buckets, pans.
Clay sand is needed for storing vegetables; river raw materials are not suitable for such purposes. It is better to use moistened sand - mix dry raw materials with water in an equal volume. It is possible to ensure long-term freshness of carrots and prevent the growth of bacteria by adding chalk to wet sand.
Store carrots sprinkled with sand, valid for up to 8 months. You can extend this period by adding ash to the sand.
In the absence of suitable storage containers, carrots can be stacked in pyramids. First you need to pour a thick layer of sand on the floor, then put a number of carrots on it. Sprinkle it with sand and lay out the next row of carrots, but in a checkerboard pattern. According to this algorithm, you can make pyramids up to a meter high. The sand should be slightly moistened.
In plastic bags
This storage option is appropriate if the cellar is dry enough. With a high level of humidity, vegetables will quickly deteriorate.
For this storage option, bags of 5-25 kg polyethylene are needed. Garbage bags are also suitable for such purposes, but it is better to take transparent bags so that it is convenient to monitor the condition of carrots.
Bags with carrots do not need to be tied, because otherwise, due to the high accumulation of carbon dioxide, root crops will deteriorate. Bags can be tied, but in this case, you need to make holes in them where air will flow.
Instead of plastic bags, you can use cling film. Vegetables should be washed and dried. It is necessary to wrap root vegetables in 3-5 pieces (focus on the size of the fruit), a larger amount will lead to quick spoilage of the product.
The presence of condensation on the bags indicates that the humidity level in the room is high. In such conditions, root crops will begin to deteriorate. Slaked lime, which must be scattered next to the bags, will help to avoid this trouble. It absorbs excess moisture.
In the moss
The attractiveness of moss for storage is due to its preservative effect. Such raw materials provide the right amount of carbon dioxide in storage tanks. Another advantage of moss - it weighs a little, so if necessary, transportation will not cause any special difficulties.
Moss for storing vegetables should be dry. Root crops do not need to be pre-washed, but they should be dried under natural conditions. After drying, place the vegetables in a cool place and keep there for a day.
Root crops with moss are stored in layers - the algorithm is the same as in the case of sawdust or sand.
In peat
Peat for storing carrots must be loose and weakly decomposed. The optimum humidity is 40-50%.
As in the case of sand and sawdust, vegetables with peat are stacked in layers. For this, a wooden box or cardboard box is suitable. First lay out a layer of peat, then a layer of vegetables without contact of root crops with each other. Repeat to the top of the tank.
Peat allows root crops to remain elastic and juicy for a long time.
In enamel pots
Vegetables for such storage should be dry and clean. The tops are necessarily cut, carrots are dried in the sun.
Fruits are placed vertically in a saucepan, covered with a dry cloth or paper towels. Be sure to close the lid.
Vegetables in enameled pots can be kept in the cellar or on the balcony. A prerequisite is a cool place and high humidity.
Clay filling
Clay prevents root crops from withering and germinating throughout the winter. The preparation of the clay solution takes several days. You need to act according to the following algorithm:
- Fill the bucket with clay half, dilute with water, leave for a day to swell.
- Stir the mass, add more water, leave for several days - there should be a 2-3 cm layer of water on top.
- The consistency of the finished solution should not be thicker than sour cream.
For storage in clay fill boxes are needed. The bottom of each container should be covered with polyethylene (film, cut bag). Spread a layer of root crops so that they do not touch. This layer must be doused with clay solution and wait for drying. After lay out another layer of carrots and cover it again with clay filling. Following this algorithm, you can fill the entire box. A prerequisite is the drying of each layer.
Clay dipping
Preparing a solution for such storage is simple. It is enough to dilute the clay with water to obtain the consistency of liquid sour cream, but the solution should not drain from vegetables.
Do not wash carrots before processing. After dipping, the roots should be placed in a well-blown place to dry. They can be stored in wooden crates or cardboard boxes.
Lime storage
Slaked lime is taken for storage. It is necessary to breed raw materials 1:10 to get a creamy consistency. Carrots must be thoroughly dried before processing. Each root crop needs to be dipped in a mortar, let the excess mass drain.
Carrots processed in this way should be placed in a well-ventilated area for 1-2 days. When all the root crops are dried, then put them in a large box, close the container. This treatment prevents withering and decay of the fruit.
Chalk powder storage
Another way to store vegetables for as long as possible is chalk. The product must be in powder form. For 1 kg of vegetables, 20 g of chalk powder is required. Root crops must be thoroughly dried before processing. Each fruit must be dusted, then put in boxes for further storage.
Storage on the balcony
Not everyone has a cellar, so carrots have to be stored in an apartment. A good storage area is a glazed balcony.
In drawers
You can store vegetables in boxes, pouring sand or sawdust in the same way as when stored in the cellar. If the balcony is cool enough, then the root crops should be put in boxes and covered with an old blanket or a dense cloth.
The shelf life of vegetables on the balcony in the drawers is up to six months.
In paraffin
The use of paraffin guarantees the safety of carrots up to 4 months. Vegetables should be previously washed and dried. Paraffin must be warmed up so that the consistency becomes liquid. Each root crop must be lowered into this mass. Carrots with a frozen paraffin layer can be stacked in small boxes.
Storage in onion or garlic husks
Using onion or garlic husks allows you to store vegetables in various conditions, even under a bed in a city apartment. Low containers are well suited for this, since they are easy to push under various furniture, and root crops must be laid out in one layer, and they should not be in contact.
Vegetables should be carefully sprinkled with onion or garlic husk. And she, and root crops for storage should be laid in a dry form.
Storage of carrots in the refrigerator
Root crops can be stored for a short time in an ordinary refrigerator. This method allows you to save vegetables up to 2 months.
Before storage, carrots must be washed and dried. It should be stored in plastic bags - it is better to lay root vegetables in one layer. To preserve vegetables in the refrigerator, special boxes or shelves are designed - carrots need to be placed here, because here the optimal temperature regime.
Carrot freeze
Storage of various products in the freezer is becoming more popular. This can be a camera in the refrigerator or separate equipment (chest or cabinet).
To store carrots in the freezer, you need to prepare it in a certain way. Preparation consists in washing root crops, their cleaning and grinding. Carrots can be chopped on a grater or cut in a convenient way - cubes, straws, circles, semicircles. Vegetables prepared in this way are used later for the preparation of various dishes that require heat treatment.
It is better to freeze carrots chopped in a convenient way in small portions. To do this, you can use plastic bags (there are special bags for freezing, they have a high density), cling film, containers, plastic jars (it is convenient to use yogurt jars).
First, you should freeze the chopped carrots on a plate or cutting board, laying in one layer. Be sure to cover the container with cling film so that the raw materials do not absorb the smells of the freezer. When the carrots freeze, transfer it to a convenient container and place it in the freezer for long-term storage.
You can store carrots in the freezer for up to a year. If necessary, get the right portion and cook in the usual way. Defrosting the product before cooking is optional.
Carrots can be frozen not only separately, but also with other vegetables and herbs - such mixtures can be used for frying, stewing, baking, adding to soups and other dishes.
Another option for storing vegetables in the freezer is when cooked. Usually they make fry for soups and stews, and then freeze them portionwise. If necessary, a portion of frozen frying is added to the desired dish.
Garage storage
If there is a cellar in the garage, then you can store vegetables by any means suitable for it - in sand, sawdust, clay. Without a cellar, storage is also possible, but not for long, because this option is appropriate for a small crop.
For storage, each root crop must be wrapped with newsprint (1-2 layers are enough). Put the prepared carrots in small boxes. Newspaper wrapping extends the shelf life, protects root crops from decay.
Carrots are widely used in cooking in various forms. Root vegetables are eaten all year round, therefore it is important to preserve them as long as possible. There are many ways to store carrots. Choosing the right option should be based on your capabilities and preferences.