Chill watermelon how to store until winter. Required temperature and humidity

How long does a watermelon keep? The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous, since too many factors affect the lifespan of this wonderful berry. In order to enjoy a juicy and fragrant fruit from the heart, you first need to be able to choose it correctly, and long-term storage of watermelon does require some knowledge and conditions.

Experienced melon growers are probably able to determine within a few seconds what is in front of them: a ripe sweet berry or an unripe, and even worse, an inedible fruit pumped up with nitrates.

People far from gardening most often buy a watermelon almost at random, like a lottery ticket. Not surprisingly, disappointments in such cases are not uncommon. It is especially disappointing when you want to pamper your child or guests with a wonderful fruit and berry dessert, and on the dish there is an unsweetened, almost tasteless and unappetizing watermelon. In order not to get into such a situation, the choice should be approached thoroughly and slowly. So, what to be guided by when buying?

Point of sale selection

First of all, you need to understand where you can, and where you definitely shouldn’t make a purchase:

1. Roadside improvised stalls, where the fruits lie in a green pile on top of each other, and often even without a canopy, right under the scorching sun, it is better to bypass. Watermelons very quickly absorb toxic substances that enter the air with the exhaust gases of passing cars, which not only impairs the taste, but simply makes them unhealthy. And exposure to sunlight can lead to damage to the fetus in just a couple of hours.

Caution: in no case should you buy cut or opened fruits to demonstrate “ripeness”; there is a high probability of food poisoning after eating them.

1. Supermarkets, especially large chains, inspire more confidence, but, unfortunately, not all of them and not always can boast of the excellent quality of fruits, vegetables and berries, since such outlets usually make very large purchases of goods that often spend a long time in warehouses . For this reason, no one can guarantee the ripeness of watermelons lying on the shelves of large stores. It all depends on the specific batch, the timing of its delivery from the field and the quality of the choice of the supplier.

Important: these berries do not have the ability to ripen after harvesting from the garden; Sadly, they don't get better.

Equipped markets are considered the most suitable place to buy watermelon, where there is full control over the quality of the product that reaches the consumer. However, even in such a place, you can and should ask the seller for a certificate for his products.

It's good when the watermelons on the market counter lie in one row, without touching each other, and on a special soft bedding. This suggests that trade is carried out by a person who knows firsthand about the conditions necessary to preserve the quality of melons.

When does watermelon season start?

No one is surprised when in the middle of summer in all districts of the city tents grow like mushrooms after rain, in the depths of which mountains of watermelons await their customers. Meanwhile, buying a good, ripe watermelon in July is an almost impossible task, since the fruits begin to ripen only in August. Accordingly, in the second half of the last summer month, it is time to treat yourself and loved ones to ripe and sweet watermelons.

Varieties for Better Storage

Not every watermelon can lie without spoiling for a long time, therefore, when puzzling over how to store watermelons until the New Year, it is important to know what kind of variety you have grown or met on the counter. Early ripe varieties are only suitable for immediate consumption, they cannot be stored for a long time. The shelf life of late-ripening watermelons can reach several months if care is taken to create the right conditions. The latest varieties are:

• Astrakhan striped,
• Astrakhan marble,
• Popovka,
• Melitopol 143,
• Bykovsky 15,
• Lezhky,
• Chill (can be stored up to 5 months),
• Peasant,
• Excellent black.

A yellow spot from contact with the soil is one of the signs of ripeness

We define quality

Long-term storage of watermelons is possible only for ideal specimens. Selection criteria:

1. The absence of even the slightest damage to the crust: there should be no dents, no scratches, no cracks, since all this will lead to the rapid decay of the fetus.
2. Too heavy specimens will not last long. It is best to keep berries weighing no more than 4-5 kg.
3. Watermelon can be stored for a long time if it is really ripe. A berry that has not had time to ripen will become unusable very quickly.

Visual inspection of the fetus does not present any difficulties, but it can be difficult to determine whether it is ripe or not. Nevertheless, it is possible even for those who are not too sophisticated in this matter. To help - instructions.

How to choose a ripe watermelon?

1. Pay attention to the condition of his tail: it is correct if it is dry. However, the tail may well dry out during storage, so the halo around it should also be dry.

2. A ripe fruit cannot but have a small stain from contact with the soil. The yellow color of the spot is a good sign, but the white one indicates the presence of a high content of nitrates in the berry.

3. The peel of a ripe specimen is so strong that it will be very difficult to pierce it with a fingernail, and when rubbed, it does not exude a grassy aroma.

4. Glossy, shiny surface indicates that the berry is ripe, and haze warns of the presence of harmful chemicals.

5. You need to listen: when tapped, the ripe fruit makes a dull resonating sound, and when squeezed, it crackles slightly. A ripe watermelon cannot “ring”.

Subtleties that not everyone knows about: if there is a halo on the opposite side of the tail, which is larger in diameter, such a berry is “the fair sex”, and it is much sweeter than the others, and there are much fewer seeds in it. And of two fruits of equal size, it would be right to give preference to the lighter one: it is really ripe!

With all of the above in mind, everyone will be able to choose a great ripe watermelon with a high percentage of probability. Having made a successful purchase a couple of times, you can safely stock up and store watermelons for the winter. It is better to do this at the end of September, then the chance to treat yourself to a summer dessert at the New Year's table will be maximum.

Conditions for the preservation of fruits

Storage of watermelon requires compliance with several conditions:

1. The temperature should not exceed +10 degrees. The optimal mode is from +1 to +4 degrees Celsius. When the air is too warm, the pulp simply peroxides, and when it is negative, it turns into ice.
2. The berry must be isolated from any light, and first of all, of course, from the sun. Under its influence, the life of the fetus is significantly shortened.
3. The humidity in the storage room should be approximately 80% (+/-5%). If the storage is too dry, the watermelon will wither, and in an excessively humid environment, it will rot.

There are several ways and suitable storage locations for these amazing berries.

cooling chamber

When it comes to how to keep a watermelon for immediate consumption for a couple of days, the best option at home will be a refrigerator, because it allows you to easily regulate and maintain the desired temperature, does not let in light and does not dry out food.

It happens that even with joint efforts it is not possible to finish off a huge berry in one sitting, then you have to store a cut watermelon in the refrigerator. Here, too, you need to take into account some nuances:

• on the third day, the once fragrant and sweet pulp loses its characteristic taste, and it is no longer interesting to eat it; besides, the watermelon just starts to spoil;
• many wrap the berry with cling film so that its flesh does not dry out, but this is only correct if you turn the watermelon cut side down on a wide plate and wrap both the fruit and the dishes with the film;
• before storing a watermelon in the refrigerator, even uncut, it is important to make sure that no odorous products are observed in the neighborhood; the fact is that even through the peel, the berry absorbs all the flavors very intensively, for example, smoked sausage or fish.

Balcony

On a balcony or loggia, if they are protected from sunlight, you can store a whole watermelon even in summer, but not for long, a maximum of a week. But an opened watermelon will “behave badly” if it is too warm outside. Another thing is late autumn, when the thermometer does not rise above +5–7 degrees, and the sun no longer bakes. At this time, the cut fruit will remain on the loggia for a day or two, and whole berries at this temperature may well last until the New Year's feast.

Cellar storage methods

Keeping watermelons in the cellar is very simple and convenient. However, in winter, the basement or underground is just an ideal storage for other supplies that have no place in the apartment. Therefore, this option has its own difficulties: storing watermelons in the cellar involves isolating them from other fresh vegetables and fruits, since such a neighborhood can significantly accelerate the deterioration of the former. Well, if the cellar is not one room, or at least has a partition.

Storage options for watermelons:

1. Hanging. The fruit is taken, wrapped in a soft natural cloth or several layers of clean paper, and placed in a wicker string bag, which is suspended from the ceiling. In this form, watermelon can be stored for up to six months, if we are talking about the lightest varieties.
2. On wide shelves covered with straw or other soft natural material (moss, peat, pine needles).
3. In ashes or sand. At the bottom of a wooden box, the selected filler is poured, watermelons are laid out and completely covered.
4. Moss growing in swamps has excellent bactericidal properties, and therefore is excellent for storing fruits that are surrounded by it, covering the entire surface.
5. You can “pack” each berry in a protective suit made of wax, alabaster, clay or paraffin. To do this, you just need to coat the watermelons with a liquid substance and wait until it dries. Then it will be very easy to cut it and remove it.
6. In a tub or barrel of water - another possible option for "underground" storage of watermelons. Of course, the water should be cold, and it should be changed at least once a month.

If there is a subfloor in a private house, then even a cut fruit does not have to be stored in the refrigerator. Put cut side down in a deep, clean bowl, cover with a wide dish and put in the cellar - quite a possible option.

Portion freezing is one of the ways to save for the New Year holidays

Conditions and shelf life in the cellar

In general, all the methods listed above are good and allow you to save sunny fruits not for one day, but for several months in advance, up to February, but again, given some conditions:

• the room should be well ventilated;
• before laying the berries for storage, they should be kept in straw for a couple of days, and then treated with a 2% solution of lime to prevent damage to the stock by mold or rot;
• treat the storage with special means against fungi and microbes;
• maintain the correct level of humidity and temperature;
• when storing berries, it is important to ensure that they do not touch each other;
• a couple of times a month it is necessary to inspect the stocks, removing the specimens that have begun to deteriorate and turning those that are in perfect order from side to side.

On site, in the ground

Some manage to store watermelons in the ground. For this purpose, a deep hole is dug, the bottom of which is lined with straw (layer thickness of about 10 cm), then the fruits pre-treated with lime (2% solution) are laid, the space between the berries is filled with shavings, they also cover the stock from above and cover everything with earth. The layer of earth is about 30 cm.

What to do if there is no underground or balcony?

Is it possible to store watermelons in the apartment for as long as in the cellar or on the balcony? Perhaps the answer is obvious. Even if you place the berries in a relatively cool pantry, they will not last that long.

Some apartments have small niches located under the kitchen window, which turn into refrigerators with the onset of the first cold weather, but even there long-term storage of watermelons seems unlikely, both humidity and temperature are very unstable.

Freeze

It is better to freeze watermelons in portioned pieces. Better yet, make a semi-finished product out of them by planting each slice on a wooden stick and rolling the juicy pulp in powdered sugar. On the baking sheet, the blanks must be sent to the freezer, and when they turn into ice cream, put the berry ice in plastic containers, not forgetting to layer it with parchment paper.

Such figurines can serve as a wonderful decoration for fruit salads or interesting cocktails.

Preservation of fruits for a long winter period is a pressing problem in our latitudes, we recommend that you also read the article on bananas to find out other subtleties that are in many ways similar to the preservation of other fruits.

Storing watermelon with alabaster. Video

Salting watermelon for the winter. Video

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Each hostess tries to surprise guests and households on New Year's Eve by serving unusual and delicious dishes. Watermelon on this holiday will surely please everyone, especially the kids.

A large juicy berry in the middle lane becomes available to everyone at the end of summer, and you can buy it in large supermarkets all year round.

But as practice shows, a watermelon bought in winter is inferior in taste to a seasonal one, and its cost is many times higher.

And yet, every family has the opportunity to save a really tasty and juicy berry for the new year.

From late summer to mid-autumn, you can easily buy juicy and sweet watermelons. There are a huge number of varieties that differ in shape, color, ripening time. Until the New Year holidays, not every species can be saved.

When choosing a treat that needs to be preserved for such a long time, it is imperative to pay attention to several parameters:

1. Sort.

It is better to choose the fruit of late-ripening varieties: Astrakhan, Impulse, Kholodov's Gift, Volzhsky, Dessert. They have thick skins and firm flesh, and are grown mostly without watering, so they are more likely to last several months.

1. Appearance.

Watermelon should have a shiny and dense peel, without cracks, scratches, sun marks and other defects.

It is better to purchase a medium-sized fruit (4-6 kg).

1. It is necessary to buy only a ripe watermelon.

This can be determined by an elastic peel, a ringing sound when tapped, and a dry tail. Contrary to popular belief, these berries do not ripen, and the unripe fruit spoils very quickly.

You should not rush to harvest watermelons, buying them in August, but you should not delay it until the end of autumn either. The best time for this is the end of September - mid-October.

You need to buy watermelons in small stores where there are documents for berries. In large supermarkets, unripe fruits are usually sold, and merchants from cars do not comply with storage conditions and rarely have the necessary documents.

Preparing for storage

When collecting watermelons, you need to wear soft gloves, it is better to carry them in bags made of natural material and put them on a cloth, making sure that they do not touch each other.

After purchasing a watermelon or harvesting, the selected fruits must be delivered to the storage location. Prepare a place in the car for transportation in advance: put boxes, cover them with straw or foam rubber.

The place of future storage, regardless of whether it is an apartment or a house, needs to be treated: rinsed with a disinfectant, treated from insects and rodents.

Selected fruits should be washed in cool water with a soft sponge and air-dried in limbo. This will remove microorganisms from the surface that can cause spoilage of the berries. Before laying the berries must be treated with a solution of lime.

How to keep watermelon fresh until new year

In order for the watermelon to lie as long as possible, it is necessary to create favorable conditions in the room:

• the temperature should not be above 6°C and below 1°C;
• the required humidity is 60-80%. In a dry room, the watermelon will wither, and in a wet room it will simply rot;
• the room must be darkened, but air must circulate there;
• the storage surface must be soft and breathable.

It is much easier to create conditions for storing watermelon for people living in a private house. For this, a basement, veranda, shed, garage, attic or summer kitchen is suitable (provided it is possible to maintain the desired temperature there). There you can store the largest berry for 3-4 months.

It is more difficult for residents of apartments, in a multi-storey building it is difficult to find a cool place with high humidity, but there is still an opportunity to store gourds. For this, mezzanines, pantries, a bathroom and glazed balconies may be suitable. The berries are laid out in spacious, darkened rooms on a soft surface.

In an apartment, watermelons are stored for less time due to dry air and high temperature, on average this period does not exceed 2 months. The peel of the watermelon becomes sluggish, and the taste is reduced.

Ways to store watermelons

Over the years, fans of the world's largest year have come up with several ways to enjoy them even in winter.

Option number 1 - hanging in a cellar or apartment

This method is considered the simplest and most effective, it is suitable for both home and apartment.

Clean and processed watermelons are wrapped in linen or cotton cloth, lowered into a cloth bag (you can take string bags) and hung from the ceiling. Berries should not touch the walls and each other.

Option number 2 - in a wax or clay crust

This method is ideal in cases where it is not possible to create optimal conditions for long-term storage. A layer of wax or clay will protect the watermelon from drying out, excess moisture, and insects.

The prepared and dried fruit is covered with a layer of liquid clay (melted wax or paraffin) and allowed to dry. After that, several more layers are made, the thickness of the clay crust should be about 5 mm, of wax at least 10. Glazed berries can be stored on the floor or on a rack on sawdust, or suspended.

Clay is a more accessible material, but paraffin allows you to see the condition of the watermelon.

Option number 3 - in ash or sand in the basement

This method is used when storing watermelons in cellars, attics, balconies or garages.

It is necessary to prepare several containers: barrels, boxes, old pots. Dry sand or wood ash is poured into the bottom of each with a layer of about 10 cm, the watermelon is placed with the tail down and the berry is completely covered.

Ash will have an antibacterial effect, alkali will destroy all microorganisms and protect against rot. An alternative to these two substances can be dry wheat or barley, but only if there are no rodents.

Option number 4 - in straw

This method can be used in living quarters and cellars. Dried grass acts as a moisture absorber and protects against damage.

Shelves, boxes or the floor are lined with straw, watermelons are laid out at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other (and from walls), grass partitions are made and a layer is laid on top.

Option number 5 - in moss

This method is identical to the straw option, only pieces of well-dried moss are used instead. The advantage of this material is its antibacterial properties, so the collection of moss is worth the time spent.

Option number 6 - in the water

Option number 7 - refrigerator

In the conditions of an apartment, it is sometimes impossible to find a suitable place for a watermelon: not everywhere there are pantries, balconies or free mezzanines.

If you have a large refrigerator, you can try to keep the watermelon there. Only whole berries are suitable for this, cut watermelon in any case cannot be stored for more than 3 days.

Wash the fruit, wipe it and dry it, wrap it in several layers of paper (regular newspapers are perfect) and put it on the bottom shelf, after covering it with a soft cloth.

If the right watermelon is chosen, it will last at least 2 months.

other methods

There are several more options for how to serve a watermelon for the new year. They do not involve keeping the fruit fresh, but they can surprise guests.

The easiest way is to freeze watermelon. After thawing, the pulp loses its elasticity, so it will not be possible to freeze the whole berry. However, there are several options:

• cut the watermelon into small slices with a peel and serve as a dessert without defrosting;
• put watermelon pulp or juice into ice molds (you can add sugar), use for cocktails or compotes.

Watermelon can be kept in the freezer for no more than six months.

Some housewives surprise guests with a completely unusual dish; they manage to salt and pickle sweet berries. Here are the easiest recipes:

• Pickled watermelons.

Ripe watermelon is cut into slices, the seeds and peel are removed and loosely placed in glass jars. Peppercorns and a few cloves of garlic are also added there. For the brine, you will need 1.5 liters of water (approximately), 3 tablespoons of sugar and vinegar (9%), 5 grams of salt (these are the ingredients for 3 kg of watermelon). Watermelon is poured 2 times with boiling water, on the third with brine. Banks are closed, turned upside down, covered with a thick blanket. A day later, you can take them to the pantry or cellar.

Video recipe for pickled watermelons.

• Salted watermelons in a wooden barrel.

Prick several ripe fruits with a thin crust with a wooden skewer (10-20 punctures) and put in a clean barrel. Spices are added at will and taste, you can do without them. The container is filled with brine (700-800 grams of table salt per 10 liters), covered with gauze so that the air can easily escape during fermentation. After about a month, salted watermelons can be eaten.

Berries marinated in jars can be stored for no more than 18 months, in a barrel until warm.

To keep watermelon as tasty as it is in season, you need to follow a number of rules:

1. Store separately from other fruits and vegetables. Watermelon easily absorbs odors, so the neighborhood will be unfavorable.
2. Every day or at least 2 times a week you need to turn the watermelons. This will allow you to see the damage, and also prevent deformation and accumulation of pulp in one part.
3. If cracks, dents, rot are found, it is better to throw out the watermelon. Juicy pulp contains sugar, bacteria multiply rapidly in it. Such a fruit can be hazardous to health.
4. Before storing, it is better to evaluate the taste of the watermelon and make sure that there are no nitrates. This can be determined by the sugar structure or lower the piece into water. If it remains transparent, the watermelon is grown naturally.
5. In no case should you keep a watermelon on a bare floor, shelf or in an empty container. Contact with a hard surface leads to rapid deterioration due to the lack of an air gap.

If you have patience and perseverance, you will definitely be able to save a watermelon, and then, in the middle of winter, a bright and joyful piece of real summer will flaunt on your New Year's table.

Desserts and other sweet dishes made with watermelon during the cold season are a dream of many people. Many housewives are interested in how to store watermelons for several weeks or months.

Knowing certain nuances, there is a good chance to take advantage of the corresponding offer of nature.

Before you gain valuable experience and put it into practice, you should find out the rules and the best places for one of the most delicious and largest berries.

What varieties can be stored for a long time?

Late-ripening varieties are stored longer, so it is advisable to choose them for the upcoming three winter months. The ideal fruit has a thick dense skin.

The following varieties deserve special attention:

• Volzhsky;
• Dessert;
• Astrakhan striped;
• Kholodov's gift;
• Pulse;
• Bykovsky.

Regardless of the variety chosen, it is not recommended to buy fruits designed for long storage in early August. For successful storage of watermelons at home or in the attic of private housing , it is recommended to think about the upcoming purchase only in mid-September - early October. In this scenario, the fetus should be stored less at home, which simplifies the task.

• cracks;
• dents;
• skin damage.

It is better to choose an unripe berry than an overripe one. A light tap on the rind is required to check for optimum maturity. A loud sound is desirable.

The sweeter fruits never weigh too much, so they have a way of retaining a pleasant taste for a long time.

Storing watermelons at home

Interested in where a tasty and fairly ripe watermelon can be stored, it is advisable to carefully study the 7 most recommended ways.

1. Keeping fruit in moss. To do this, use forest moss collected in dry weather (collected moss should not be wet). After that, it is desirable to lay out the moss in a thick layer on the bottom of the container used. Then a watermelon is laid, which is lined with moss on each side. The optimum temperature regime is not lower than +2 - 3 degrees Celsius.
2. Ash use. It is recommended to pour a small amount of ash into a small box. A watermelon is placed in this container, which is carefully covered with ashes on top. The box is tightly closed, after which it is placed in the cellar.
3. To store delicious fruits, high-quality clay is often used, which is slightly diluted with purified water to a sufficiently thick, but at the same time, smooth consistency in order to spread the watermelon skin. This mixture is smeared with watermelon, waiting until it is completely dry. It is allowed to store such a fruit only in a cold room.
4. Watermelons are hung for storage using natural material with a string bag.
5. Many housewives store watermelons in straw. At the same time, the stored fruit must be carefully wrapped in straw and kept at a temperature of +1 to +5 degrees Celsius. To prevent undesirable situations, it is recommended to carry out inspections and remove spoiled copies.
6. Watermelons can be preserved in wax or paraffin. The selected material carefully covers the fruit, remembering that the thickness of the applied layer should not exceed one centimeter.
7. Interested in how to properly store watermelon, it is important to pay attention to the following nuance: storage at home is allowed. The basic rule is to use a dark and cool room without the slightest access to light. Without fail, the fruits are turned over every day, since at the slightest deformation it is recommended to remove objectionable specimens.

How long can watermelon be stored

The duration of storage can be from a couple of days to several months and six months. It all depends on the condition of the fruit (cut berries deteriorate faster) and the method chosen, as well as possible additional processing.

How and how long can a whole watermelon be stored

Uncut fruit always keeps longer. Properly created conditions allow a delicious watermelon to be stored for several months.

If you observe the optimal temperature regime and sufficient humidity, unnecessary risks for the most delicious berries are completely eliminated.

How and how much to store cut watermelon

The situation is completely different if the cutting of the treat has already taken place. So, is it possible to save a watermelon in a similar situation?

Can! The ideal option is a day. However, if the temperature allows, it is allowed to increase the initial period to 2 - 3 days, since after this period the pulp begins to actively become infected with bacteria.

If you leave a watermelon on the table for an hour on a hot summer day, there is a serious risk of poisoning. This is due to the rapid breeding of bacteria. Any berry, after it has been cut, must be kept cool.

It is important to understand that by the end of the second day, the cut watermelon will begin to actively lose its pleasant taste and beneficial properties. If you want to keep the taste and aroma as long as possible, watermelons are often set aside further from other products.

Storage at home

Storage rules

First of all, you need to know the rules that will help you store watermelons until the new year:

• fruits can not be placed right next to each other;
• it is desirable to make the surface softer (for this reason, even in the refrigerator it is recommended to lay a soft cloth made of natural materials);
• if many watermelons will be stored, it is advisable to place them at a small distance from each other or on different shelves;
• during storage, it is advisable to regularly turn the fruits over and carefully examine them, since only the best specimens will survive until winter.

At what temperature and humidity to store

What should be the temperature for storing watermelons? Recommended from +1 to +30 Celsius.

The optimum temperature tends to +1, since high rates will lead to the fact that the berry can only last a couple of days.

Humidity should be 70 - 85%, since at lower rates the fruit will begin to dry out rapidly.

How long can you store at room temperature

Good fruits can be stored for a long time. If you do not choose a summer variety, it is possible to preserve a tasty and fragrant natural delicacy for up to two to four months.

You need to understand that a warm environment and room temperature will not allow you to enjoy a delicious and fresh watermelon on the long-awaited winter holidays, so you should closely monitor the conditions for the stay of large and beloved berries.

How long can you keep in the fridge

Experts note that watermelon pulp can even be frozen. When wondering how long watermelon pulp can be stored, the answer is simple: a few months.

However, the consistency will be different, so the finished product is best used for making sweet desserts and unusual drinks.

Is it possible to freeze?

An interesting question for many housewives is whether it is possible to store watermelon in the refrigerator without losing its taste and aroma properties?

In some cases, you can improve the characteristics of the berry. In addition, at a constant negative temperature, the shelf life is 6 - 12 months.

The following freezing options are available:

• with syrup;
• with granulated sugar;
• with fructose;
• with juice.

How to keep fresh watermelon until the new year

Knowing how much a watermelon can please with a tasty and fragrant state from the beginning of autumn, it is important to think over the features of its storage.

Is it possible to save until the new year?

In most cases, watermelon is stored in the cellar, where you can create suitable conditions and successfully maintain them. If the fetus is in good and whole condition, the chances of a positive outcome increase. At the same time, other vegetables cannot be combined with watermelons.

Without fail, watermelons are regularly inspected, since it is advisable to throw out spoiled specimens. Even an ideal room regimen will not guarantee the preservation of all fruits.

How to save until winter

Most of the methods associated with storing watermelons in the attic of a private house allow you to save a summer treat for up to 3-4 months. Only in the attic can fruits be placed in limbo, treated with sand or straw, a thin layer of clay.

Many people who want to enjoy the gifts of summer nature decide to store watermelons in large barrels filled with cool, but not icy water. The fruit must be completely covered with it.

If you change the water to clean water 3 times a month and keep the water at the appropriate temperature, maintaining the desired filling level of the tank, the best result is guaranteed.

Other Ways to Preserve Watermelons for the Winter Months

The first option involves salting. To prepare the brine, ten liters of ordinary water and 0.5 kilograms of salt are used.

Crushed watermelon is placed at the bottom of the container, and then a few more. Even if the container allows you to put all the fruits in one row, a layer in the form of a crushed specimen is required, which is desirable to lay on the top.

After that, all the contents are poured with brine. The maximum allowable temperature is 5 degrees Celsius.

Watermelon is allowed to be used for the preparation of candied fruits, which are best obtained from the peels. The thick part of the watermelon is poured with cold water and boiled for about five minutes, after which the water can be drained and the pulled out crusts should dry.

Then they are treated with sugar syrup. For a kilogram of crusts, you need 2 cups of water with a kilogram of sugar. The procedure is carried out four times.

As a result, the watermelon rinds should become translucent. Then add citric acid and vanillin. Such candied fruits will be healthy and tasty.

On any winter day, it will be nice to enjoy the taste of summer presented in a preserved watermelon.

If the hosts want to surprise their guests on New Year's Eve by serving something unusual to the table? For example, watermelon. But how to save a watermelon until the New Year? It seems incredible, especially to residents of the northern regions, where the climate does not allow growing these beautiful berries. But it is possible. You need to consider how to properly store watermelon.

Watermelon storage conditions

For the successful storage of striped treats, certain conditions must be created:

1. Darkness in the room is a must. Lighting awakens the seeds and they can germinate inside the berry.
2. Good ventilation is essential: This is the condition for storing all vegetables in cellars.
3. The optimum temperature is +2-6°C. At higher temperatures, the berry will begin to deteriorate. If the thermometer drops below zero, they will freeze.
4. Humidity 75-85%. At these values, juiciness and taste are preserved for a long time. If less, the fruits dry out, if more, then they begin to rot.
5. You can store watermelons only on a soft bedding so that they do not lie on their sides.
6. For the same purpose, they are periodically turned over.

Of course, the ideal place to store this delicious berry is the basement or cellar. But this is not always possible. To do this in an apartment is much more difficult, but also possible. We still have to look for suitable places. You can keep watermelons in the pantry, on a glazed loggia or balcony, and even in the bathroom. Room climate usually does not allow this. How long can you keep watermelons fresh at home? Usually about 1.5 months.

It is easier to store watermelons until the new year in private houses and cottages. This can be done in the following places:

• on the veranda or summer kitchen;
• in the garage;
• in the attic;
• in the pantry;
• in the basement.

A necessary condition is to maintain the required storage temperature of watermelons.

How to save a watermelon until the New Year (video)

How to choose fruits for storage?

But not many watermelons can be preserved for a long time. First of all, these should be special varieties suitable for long-term storage. The usual summer variety is not suitable for this. Late-ripening watermelon varieties are required. Such fruits are well preserved, have a rough and thick peel. But they fully ripen only in the southern warm climate. These are varieties such as:

• watermelon Chill, bred by crossing 3 varieties;
• Spring, grown on melons and in a greenhouse;
• Icarus;
• Milania hybrid;
• Bush 334.

The most famous and widespread is the variety of watermelon Kholodok. The fruits of this variety grow up to 25 kg in weight. Elliptical in shape, with black-green stripes and very sweet, tasty flesh. Stored up to 4 months.

An indispensable condition for successful storage at home, regardless of variety, is the quality of the berry. In order for the fruits to last until winter, it is necessary to select:

• medium-sized (4-5 kg);
• berries of medium maturity;
• only late-ripening varieties that have a thick skin;
• without damage (burns from the sun, cracks, cuts, scratches, etc.).

It is better to shoot watermelons on a warm sunny day, wearing soft gloves, so as not to inadvertently damage the skin. In no case should the fruits be washed before laying, because the protective fruit wax will be washed off the peel.

Storage methods

You should consider in more detail how to store watermelons in the cellar. There are the following ways:

1. On racks and shelves. Berries are laid out on shelves (they should not touch each other) in 1 row, stalks up.
2. In boxes. The inside of the box is lined with straw, on which watermelons are placed. From above, the fruits are neatly lined with straw. Then a layer of sweet berries. And so on, layer by layer, to the top of the box.
3. In sand. Dry sand is poured into a sealed box, berries are laid out on top, sprinkled with sand, again a layer of berries, etc. Sand may well replace any dried grain.
4. In the ashes A method similar to storage in sand. The only difference is that ash is used instead of sand. The only thing you need to make sure that there are no sharp or rough pieces in the ashes that can damage the peel (chips, unburned coals).
5. In sphagnum moss. Berries are shifted with sphagnum, which perfectly absorbs excess moisture.
6. Hanging. Watermelon is wrapped with any non-synthetic fabric, folded into a net or string bag and hooked to the ceiling. The stored fruit should hang without touching anything (walls, shelves, etc.).
7. In water. The berry should be completely immersed in cold water (barrel, vat). A very original and quite possible method.
8. In clay. The fruit is coated with several layers of mushy clay. The layers are dried individually. As a result, the clay should be a layer of at least 0.5 cm. Then the watermelon is laid out for storage.
9. In wax (paraffin). The method is identical to the previous one. Only a layer is required thicker, at least 1 cm.

How long can watermelon be stored using these methods? Usually 3-4 months. But it is necessary to periodically inspect and select a berry that has begun to deteriorate or a low-quality berry in winter.

How to save a watermelon (video)

In a refrigerator

Can watermelon be stored in the refrigerator? This extremely necessary item is in every home. Of course, it is not rubber and there is always not enough space in it. But the temptation to decorate the New Year's table with an exotic dessert is very great.

The technology is simple:

• wash the watermelon carefully, being careful not to damage the peel;
• wipe with a paper towel and let dry completely;
• wrap with a thick layer of newspapers;
• the bottom drawer of the refrigerator is lined with a layer of natural fabric, where the fruit is placed;
• about once every 2 days, the watermelon in the refrigerator must be turned over.

It should be noted that only whole fruit can be stored in this way. It is absolutely impossible to save a quarter or a half. The shelf life of cut watermelon is no more than 2 days, no matter in what ideal conditions it is stored. The tender flesh will inevitably spoil.

Freezing

Is it possible to freeze watermelon for the winter? After all, this berry, after defrosting, changes its texture, because it has a lot of water, and the pulp is too tender.

You should talk about how to freeze watermelon for the winter. There are several conditions for proper and effective freezing:

1. The freezer must be on a fast freeze setting. This is the only way to preserve the greatest amount of useful substances and vitamins.
2. Freezing in quick freeze mode should last at least 2 hours and only then in normal freezing.
3. Storage mode -19-24°С. At this temperature, the shelf life of frozen vegetables and fruits reaches 12 months.
4. The pulp cut into pieces is frozen. The seeds are removed.
5. Freeze in closed packaging (plastic container or plastic bag).

You can use frozen watermelon as follows:

• add to drinks instead of ice cubes;
• as a semi-finished product for making cocktails, kissels, compotes, etc.;
• fruit ice and ice cream;
• skin tonic.

How long can watermelons be frozen? You can store, like all other fruits and berries.

As you can see, storing watermelons is not at all an impossible task. It is very difficult to resist the temptation to enjoy its sweet and fragrant pulp without waiting for the New Year.

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We are used to eating fresh watermelon only during the melon season, but it can become the highlight of the New Year's table. The only difficulty is that it is not easy to keep a watermelon in an apartment until the New Year. Not everyone knows how to do it, but it is possible!

Of course, you can buy it in a store, it's hard to vouch for the quality. Naturally, a practical solution appears - to keep it yourself, in the garage, in the attic or even in a city apartment.

Choosing a watermelon suitable for storage

It doesn’t matter what conditions you have and how you want to store a sweet berry, first of all you need to choose a fruit suitable for this, because its quality directly affects its shelf life.

For long-term storage, you need to choose watermelons:

Fruits weighing 4-5 kg;

Fully whole berries, on the surface any damage to the upper layer of the fruit is unacceptable - cracks, traces of sunburn, dents on the peel or scratches;

Fruits collected from late varieties that have a thick and dense skin, they are able to lie longer than others.

The necessary conditions

In order for fresh watermelons to lie until the New Year, you will need to organize special storage conditions for them. An ideal room should have the following properties:

Sunlight must not penetrate;

There must be good ventilation;

Cool.

The most suitable temperature for storing fruits is 5-8 degrees, with an air humidity of 60-80%, if the room is warmer or colder, or there is more moisture in the air, then the shelf life of watermelon will be significantly reduced.

You can store the fruits, both in a private house and in an ordinary apartment.

How to save a watermelon in an apartment

Of course, it is more difficult to store fresh watermelon in an apartment for a long time; it is much easier to do it in your own house. There are few suitable places in the apartment, but it is not difficult to find them:

1. On a closed balcony;

2. In a dark closet or in a niche;

3. And not surprisingly, in the bathroom.

Storage in your home

It is easier to store fresh berries in your own house than in an apartment, it is easy to find more places suitable for storage.

Suitable for this:

Dry basement or cellar;

Warm garage;

Attic above the house;

You can use a summer kitchen or other room where the temperature does not rise above 5-8 degrees;

You can successfully store a small amount of the "sunberry" crop in the pantry. The main thing is to regulate the temperature and humidity level.

Storage methods

Having chosen the right place, you need to decide what technology you will use to store the berries, there are several completely working ways, you can choose the one that best suits your conditions.

The first way is hanging

This technology will help to save berries both in an apartment (using a pantry) or in your home (pantry, dry basement). The fruit must be tightly wrapped with a natural cloth in such a way as to completely cover it, after which it is hung in a string bag on a hook. Watermelon should not be allowed to touch anything (shelves, walls).

The second way is in straw

You can save the “sunny berry” with the help of straw, for this the shelf or the bottom of the box is covered with straw, with a layer of at least 10 cm. Watermelons are placed on it at intervals, turning the tail up. Between the fruits, “partitions” are made of straw, they are well covered from above so that the berries are completely covered with straw.

The third way is in the sand

Thus, it is also possible to store fresh fruits, both in the apartment and in your own house. A wooden box is brought into a cool room and half covered with completely dried sand. Watermelons are laid on it with the tail down (if there is enough space to arrange them so that the fruits do not touch, then several fresh berries can be stored for storage). After that, everything is carefully covered with dry sand, the sand should completely cover the watermelons.

Attention! Instead of sand, you can successfully use dry grain; in dry cereals, fresh watermelons can lie and do not deteriorate for a very long time.

In addition to the listed technologies for storing fresh watermelons, there are several more original, one might even say exotic ways. If you have free time and desire, you can check them out and surprise your guests.

The fourth way is in water

Do not be surprised, it is written, it is true - it is to store ripe watermelons in water. Only this is required - the water must completely cover the stored fruits and be cold, sometimes fresh watermelons are immersed in an ice hole or in a wooden vat or barrel installed in the basement and filled with cold water. But when stored this way, your watermelon will become too watery.

Fifth way - in the ashes

In a private house or country house, keep wood ash from the fireplace or stove, maybe you can get the ash, it will help you keep the watermelon until the New Year. The ash will immediately stop the development of putrefactive microorganisms and fungi, absorb excess moisture, which will save the fruits. A box knocked down from thick boards is covered with a thick layer of wood ash, which must first be dried well. Watermelons are carefully placed on it, at intervals which are filled with sifted ash. From above, the box is covered with a tight lid and placed in the basement or cellar.

The sixth way - in clay

Clay helps to save many products, why not try to save fresh watermelons with it? Clay is pre-moistened and kneaded to the consistency of a thick paste, fresh berries are well coated with this mixture. After the clay dries, the watermelon is covered with clay several more times, allowing it to dry thoroughly after each smearing. As a result, the fruit should be covered with a 0.5-1 cm layer. The coating obtained in this way should dry completely, after which the prepared watermelon is transferred to a dark room where the temperature does not rise more than 8 degrees, the fruit is laid on a layer of sawdust or hung on a hook in a string bag.

The seventh way - in paraffin

As well as in clay, watermelon can lie in paraffin or wax for a long time. It is necessary to warm up the wax and cover it with a fresh berry several times. The resulting layer should be at least 1 cm; such a fruit is stored in a dark room for storage. The disadvantage of this method is that the berry does not breathe under paraffin and the pulp in it can ferment.