When choosing pumpkins for winter storage, it's important to consider the best varieties. These should be late-ripening pumpkins. They ripen in mid-autumn and can be stored in a cellar or on a glassed-in balcony for up to one year.
Pumpkin varieties
There are many varieties that can last until spring. When choosing pumpkins for long-term storage, these are the ones to choose:
- Zhdana. An early-ripening variety characterized by sweet, firm flesh. Resists external mechanical stress and insect pests well;
- Yanina. This vegetable is recommended for dieters. The flesh is firm and sweet, making it a good substitute for sugar in porridge.
- Slavuta. A late-ripening variety. Resistant to diseases and pests, so it has a long shelf life;
- Arbatskaya. Ripens late in the season. The flesh is sweet and firm, often used in desserts;
- Polyanin. Cylindrical fruit, sweet pumpkin.
You may be interested in:All these varieties tolerate disease, transportation, and mechanical stress well. Due to their properties, they are chosen for long-term storage.
Storage conditions and time
The ideal location is a basement or cellar, as it's cool, damp, and protected from direct sunlight. To ensure the pumpkin remains tasty and edible, the temperature should be maintained between 5°C and 10°C.
Frost can ruin the harvest. Therefore, if the outside temperature is low, the pumpkin needs to be protected from frost.
Pumpkin should not be stored in the refrigerator. At temperatures below 0°C, the flesh becomes watery and the flavor deteriorates. Pumpkin can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1.5 months without deterioration.
The vegetable will keep in the freezer for 7 to 10 months. It's not frozen whole. First, peel and cut it into pieces. These can be packaged in a container or plastic bag.
You may be interested in:Vegetables typically have a shelf life of one year. Under improper storage conditions, this period can be reduced by several months.
Storage methods
Before storing the pumpkin, dry it in the sun for a few days. This will remove excess moisture, and any cuts or other damage will harden and become less of a problem.
- Basement. Store the harvest on shelves or racks. Don't leave them on the floor, as they will spoil quickly. At a minimum, use pallets or trays;
- Apartment. Choose any location out of direct sunlight. If you plan to store the pumpkins for a long time, arrange them so they don't touch each other. The stems should be pointing upward.
- Balcony. An unglazed balcony isn't suitable because the pumpkins will freeze and spoil very quickly. A glazed and insulated balcony is suitable if you line the floor with an old blanket or several layers of cardboard. The pumpkins should be covered to keep them warm and out of the sun.
If you're storing pumpkins in an apartment where the lights are constantly on, cover them with a thick cloth. It should block out any light.
Preparing the cellar
Before storing your harvest in a cellar, you need to prepare the room. To do this, follow these steps:
- Clean and ventilate the room, eliminating dampness and mustiness. Dry it completely. Check the ventilation system;
- Get rid of mold and pests. To do this, treat the cellar with lime or a sulfur checker. Do this once in the fall before storing any vegetables;
- Remove any debris: dust, remnants of the previous harvest, and old vegetables. These can be eaten immediately (if they are not spoiled);
- Prepare racks or shelves and line them with paper or straw.
Once you've prepared your cellar, store your pumpkins in it. To prevent spoilage, do this correctly:
- do not store vegetables on bare shelves;
- Place the crop so that the fruits do not touch the walls, as this is where moisture accumulates due to temperature changes;
- Place the stems on top. This will help you monitor the pumpkin's condition and quickly tell if it's spoiled.
- Vegetables should not touch each other. Don't stack them on top of each other or pile them together. This will help prevent infection from a single diseased fruit.
- When removing a spoiled pumpkin, replace the straw or paper on which it lay.
Check the condition of all pumpkins about once a month. Ventilate the room regularly to prevent them from becoming stained or spoiled.
You may be interested in:With proper care and preparation, pumpkins can be stored in a cellar for up to a year. Even after two months, the vegetables will be as ripe and tasty as the day they were. To achieve this, you need to monitor the harvest, ventilate the cellar, and maintain a stable temperature and humidity.
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