How to properly store Chinese cabbage in winter

Thanks to its flavor and the presence of numerous beneficial micronutrients, Chinese cabbage has become very popular among vegetable lovers. Almost every woman uses it to make juicy and light salads. But after the cabbage's ripening period ends, it's time to harvest and store the harvest. How to properly store this vegetable so that you can prepare various dishes with it even in the winter?

How to choose Chinese cabbage for storage

To prevent your purchased vegetables from spoiling quickly during storage, it is recommended to select mid-late or late varieties grown in the Russian climate:

• Sorceress;
• Princess;
• Russian size;
• Half-headed;
• Asten;
• Fortune teller;
• Glass.

These varieties are harvested from late September or mid-October. Cabbage leaves should not be exposed to frost, otherwise they will quickly rot.

When choosing a vegetable, you need to pay attention to its appearance, as its long-term storage ability depends on this:

• heads of cabbage are selected that are dense and have a uniform color;
• The leaves should not show signs of pest bites or other defects.

How to store Chinese cabbage at home

There are various ways to preserve the vegetable so you can prepare dishes with it in the winter. In an apartment or house, it can be stored in the refrigerator, basement, or on the balcony, provided certain rules are followed.

How to ferment Chinese cabbage

One of the most popular fermented vegetable recipes is kimchi (Korean style). To ferment cabbage, you'll need the following additional ingredients:

• salt;
• sugar;
• onion;
• garlic;
• red pepper;
• water.

First, prepare the brine. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 liter of water and place the brine over the stove. Stir constantly until the salt dissolves. Then remove the brine from the heat and let it cool. Meanwhile, remove the spoiled leaves from the Napa cabbage and cut it lengthwise into 4 parts, removing the core. The remaining leaves, which should weigh 1 kg, are cut into thin strips. Chop 50-100 g of onion. Mix the chopped vegetables in a saucepan or large bowl and pour the brine over them. Cover the container with a plate and place a weight on top.

After two days, remove the Napa cabbage leaves and coat them with a pre-prepared seasoning (mix 2 tablespoons of ground red pepper, the juice of 6 garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon of sugar). After this, place the cabbage back in the container with the freshly prepared brine under pressure for two days. The prepared sauerkraut can be placed in screw-top jars and stored in the refrigerator, or the container, unpressed, can be taken to the cellar.

You can pickle cabbage without any additional ingredients. They are used to enhance the flavor. Dill, parsley, bay leaf, pepper, and cloves are considered the most suitable for Peking cabbage.

How to dry cabbage

Drying whole heads of cabbage is not recommended. Prepared leaves are cut into 3-5 mm strips and placed in an oven (60-90 degrees Celsius) or an electric dehydrator (55-60 degrees Celsius). The first method requires 4 hours of drying time, while the second method requires 5 hours.

For storage, the leaves are placed in linen bags.

Storing cabbage in a vegetable storehouse, basement, cellar, or on a balcony

Basic steps for storing Chinese cabbage in vegetable storage facilities:

• all heads of cabbage are placed in a plastic bag or box, placing them horizontally in 3 layers, while the heads should not fit too tightly against each other;
• the storage container is closed loosely to provide the cabbage with sufficient ventilation (without drafts);
• The humidity in such a room should be at 96-98%. At lower levels, the leaves will begin to dry out, as they lack the waxy layer that protects against excessive evaporation. And at 100% humidity, the cabbage heads will rot within a week.
• The air temperature is maintained at a level from 0 to +3 degrees.

Under these conditions, the forks can be stored for 4 months. At temperatures between -3 and +3°C, this period is reduced to 16-20 days, and at temperatures above +4°C, to 2-4 days.

In a cellar or basement, the vegetable is stored in a box filled with damp sand, with its roots buried in the sand. Another storage method in such rooms is hanging the cabbage upside down on a rope. The heads of cabbage should be hung at a sufficient distance from each other, otherwise rot will begin where they touch.

For long-term storage, wrap the cabbage in cling film; it will remain fresh for up to 3 months. Humidity levels can be reduced slightly.

If you live in an apartment, a loggia or balcony is ideal for overwintering the vegetable, as long as the temperature remains between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius throughout the entire storage period. Direct sunlight should also be avoided.

Storage rules on the balcony:

• remove damaged leaves and dirt;
• Place each head of cabbage in a cloth bag or food-grade plastic bag. You can wrap it in 2-3 layers of cling film, leaving a small opening near the stalk;
• heads of cabbage are placed horizontally in wooden boxes (maximum 3 layers);
• Every two weeks, check the heads for rot. If any are detected, they are removed from the mass to prevent spoilage. Any defective leaves are also removed and the packaging material is replaced.

Following these rules will allow you to store cabbage for 90-100 days.

How to store Chinese cabbage in the refrigerator and freezer

If you need to store a small number of cabbage heads, the refrigerator is a good option. Inspect them first and remove any spoiled leaves. Then wrap the cabbage in plastic wrap to prevent condensation and store it in the vegetable drawer or a plastic container, sealing it tightly. This method extends the cabbage's shelf life by up to 1 month. Check periodically to ensure the leaves haven't spoiled or dried out.

For freezer storage, cut cabbage into strips and place small portions in plastic bags. Many recommend blanching the leaves first (by placing them in salted, boiling water for 3 minutes). Then, let them dry on a paper towel. This will reduce the risk of nitrate ingestion. This method of preserving cabbage for the winter is suitable for stews, salads, and soups.

If you like cabbage rolls, you can freeze whole leaves of Napa cabbage. Carefully separate the cabbage head into individual leaves and steam them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Then, cut off the thick stem with a sharp knife and leave the leaves to dry on a towel.

After these steps, place the smoothed leaves in a plastic container or plastic bag and place in the freezer. The cabbage can be stored in this form for 4 to 7 months.

How long does Chinese cabbage last?

The overwintering period for vegetables depends on the temperature and humidity in the storage area. The optimal humidity level is 97-98%. If it drops below this level, the leaves will dry out and wilt, and if it rises, they will rot.

To store cabbage for 3 months, the temperature should be maintained between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius (32 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit). If the temperature rises to 4 degrees Celsius (33 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit), the cabbage will begin to sprout and should be eaten within a few days. When the temperature fluctuates between -3 degrees Celsius (-23 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit), cabbage will keep for no longer than 20 days. Freezing it can keep for more than 3 months.

An important storage condition is also placing the heads of cabbage in a dark, well-ventilated and cool place.

How to store Chinese cabbage

Various types of containers are suitable for overwintering vegetables:

• freezer;
• plastic containers with tight-fitting lids;
• food grade plastic bags or film;
• linen bags;
• glass jars or saucepan (salting);
• wooden boxes in which the heads of cabbage are separated from each other by polyethylene inserts.

The container is selected depending on the storage method.

Do you need to wash Chinese cabbage?

Washing vegetables is recommended only before freezing and pickling. Otherwise, thoroughly clean them of soil and dirt, and remove any spoiled leaves.

Percentage of Chinese cabbage waste

The waste percentage for Chinese cabbage is 20-22%. This figure is very important to consider when pickling, which requires a specific weight of clean Chinese cabbage leaves.

Errors

The main mistakes housewives make when preparing cabbage for storage:

• Don't store cabbage leaves in the same container or near apples and bananas. They emit ethylene, which will cause the cabbage leaves to spoil quickly.
• packing the crushed leaves into a storage container;
• shredding causes moisture loss;
• removing a large number of leaves from a head of cabbage.

Such actions will accelerate the deterioration of the product and reduce its shelf life.

Adviсe

You can increase the duration of cabbage wintering by following some rules:

• There is no need to leave the vegetable in an airtight bag; it needs good ventilation;
• the storage area should not be illuminated or exposed to direct sunlight;
• maintain a certain level of temperature and humidity in the room where the cabbage is located;
• periodically check the leaves for defects and rot;
• avoid placing bananas and apples next to each other;
• Before packing into a storage container, the cabbage must be dried;
• When the first signs of wilting appear, it is recommended to consume the product.

By learning how to store this healthy vegetable, you can prepare dishes with it not only during the warmer seasons. Follow all storage guidelines to ensure cabbage retains its freshness and flavor for many months to come.