How to properly store cabbage in the refrigerator – do you need a bag?

Cabbage is used in a variety of dishes every day. Therefore, people keep a small supply of the vegetable at home so it's always on hand. But how should cabbage be stored to prevent it from spoiling? Can the refrigerator be used to ensure its shelf life?

How and where to store fresh cabbage in the refrigerator

In a vegetable refrigeration unit, choose the coldest spots, where the temperature is consistently 1 degree below zero. Refrigerators sold in the country have a compartment designed specifically for this purpose.

Some refrigerator models may not have such a vegetable compartment. In these cases, the cabbage is placed where you usually keep vegetables and the temperature control is set to the lowest setting. Under these conditions, cabbage can last for about a month without losing quality. Sometimes, if stored in the wrong place, it can begin to rot after a week. Therefore, it's important to store cabbage properly in the refrigerator.

When it comes to cabbage, a housewife always has one goal: keeping it in the refrigerator for as long as possible. To achieve this, many different methods have been developed to protect the heads from moisture. You can prevent moisture from reaching the stored head by wrapping it in plastic wrap when storing it.

But such preparation requires performing a number of actions in the following order:

• select vegetables with firm heads of cabbage, to which the outer leaves are tightly attached;
• cut off the stalk so that it sticks out by 2 cm;
• Any damage found is cut off with a knife;
• wrap the forks with cling film in 2-3 layers;
• squeeze the air out of the packaging, smooth out the folds of the packaging;
• Place the heads of cabbage in the refrigerator, placing them in the coldest compartment.

There's another interesting storage method. Wrap the cabbage heads in paper and place them individually in a perforated plastic bag. The paper will absorb any moisture that escapes, and the paper wrapping will need to be replaced regularly.

Preparing the head of cabbage

For storage, select small, firm heads of cabbage. If you bought them late in the fall, they're most likely a late-season cabbage variety suitable for long-term storage.

Avoid storing cabbage of other ripening periods, as well as loose heads of late-ripening varieties. Such cabbages can be stored without spoiling for no more than 3 months.

Pre-preparation is crucial when selecting heads of vegetables for storage. All heads of vegetables are thoroughly inspected, and if cracks, signs of pest damage, or dents from transportation are detected, they are discarded and used for their intended purpose as quickly as possible.

It's essential to trim off any remaining stems. The shorter the trimming, the better for effective storage. Leftover stems can cause cabbage to produce flower stalks or small heads during storage, which will negatively impact storage quality.

Additionally, the heads are rinsed under running water. This method removes harmful insects, soil particles, and sand from the heads. Finally, all heads are wiped with clean cloths to remove all moisture. The dried heads are ready for storage.

Storage Features for Different Types of Cabbage

Differences in storage life are observed not only between cabbage types, but also between cultivars within the same type. Late-ripening varieties can store significantly longer than early-ripening varieties. Among cabbage types, cauliflower, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage have a shelf life of just over two weeks, while kohlrabi lasts up to 35 days.

How to properly store white cabbage

There are many suitable places where this cabbage can be successfully stored. However, for those living in apartment buildings, the refrigerator has become a common place. By placing the vegetable in a special compartment, you can rest assured that it won't spoil for 90 days.

It's worth noting that cabbage will wilt during storage and become less appealing. Removing a few leaves from the head of cabbage periodically will extend its shelf life slightly. This way, the cabbage will retain its nutritional value, and all its vitamins and minerals will be almost completely preserved.

The shelf life of refrigerated cabbage can be significantly extended by wrapping each head of cabbage in protective film. This approach is said to double the shelf life of the product, and significantly improve storage quality—the cabbage will retain its crunch and flavor.

Storage on the balcony

This storage option is also worth considering if the balcony is glazed and properly insulated. For this purpose, install a cabinet with shelves and a closing door on the balcony. Forks are also wrapped in cling film and stored in a single row on each shelf. However, if your winter temperature there drops to -2 degrees Celsius or lower, then you should avoid this idea.

Pantry

Sometimes city dwellers use their apartment pantry to preserve cabbage. The heads are also wrapped in plastic wrap before storing. Every 10 days, the heads should be inspected for signs of rot. Under these conditions, the vegetable will last for 2-4 months. Cabbage can retain its quality for different periods depending on how it's stored.

How long can cabbage be stored in an apartment?

1. An open fork, at 20-24 degrees Celsius, can be stored for no more than 7 days.
2. Cabbage stored properly on the balcony can retain its beneficial properties for up to six months.
3. Forks wrapped in film and placed in the refrigerator can be stored for 150 days.
4. Cabbage frozen in the freezer will keep well for up to 300 days.
5. Dried cabbage will retain its usefulness for 1 year.

To successfully store white cabbage, you need to create the following conditions:

• temperature - from minus 1 to +5 degrees;
• air humidity - from 80 to 95%.

How to store cauliflower in the refrigerator

Storing cauliflower in the refrigerator isn't ideal. It won't keep for long. It's guaranteed to last in the refrigerator without losing quality for about two weeks, or at best, a month.

It is not recommended to place uncovered cabbage in the refrigerator. It should be well covered by wrapping it in two layers of cling film, thick paper, or placing it in an airtight plastic bag. Each head of cabbage should be in its own bag. Place the wrapped cabbage in the upper compartments of the refrigerator.

If you need to store the vegetable for a long time, say a year, you should place it in the freezer. Moreover, you can store it whole or in parts there. Some housewives store cauliflower in the freezer after steaming it in boiling water.

How to store broccoli in the refrigerator

Despite broccoli's good tolerance to cold temperatures, storing it poses many challenges. A major problem is that it wilts very quickly and does not tolerate excess moisture. However, there are ways to store this type of cabbage throughout the year.

Broccoli shouldn't be stored in a warm room with low humidity. Therefore, the refrigerator is a good storage location for broccoli. It requires a temperature of 0 to 10 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 90-95%.

But even under these storage conditions, cabbage will retain its quality for no more than 2 weeks. Broccoli can be stored for 6-12 months by freezing it.

Over the long period of using broccoli, several effective methods for storing it in the refrigerator have been developed:

In a container with water. This method will keep cabbage for 9 days. To do this, follow these steps:

• choose a suitable container and pour some water into it;
• place the cabbage in it so that the inflorescence is on top;
• cover the inflorescence with a perforated cellophane bag;
• Place the broccoli in containers in the refrigerator;
• The water in the container should be replaced daily.

Store in a paper napkin. This method is only suitable for storing broccoli for no more than 4 days. To do this, follow these steps:

• Spray all the inflorescences with a sprayer;
• Wrap broccoli loosely in paper towels;
• the napkins should absorb excess moisture;
• Put the cabbage in the refrigerator.

Storing cabbage in bags in parts. This method is suitable if you need to preserve vegetables for 3 days. To do this, follow these steps:

• take a synthetic bag and make 6 holes in it for ventilation;
• Place one inflorescence in each bag;
• Place the packaged vegetable in the refrigerator.

For long-term storage, broccoli needs to be frozen. If done correctly, it will retain its nutritional value and attractive appearance. To freeze the vegetable, you need to prepare it properly:

• vegetables selected for freezing should be washed thoroughly in a vinegar solution (3 teaspoons of vinegar per 5 liters of water);
• After soaking the cabbage in the vinegar solution for 20 minutes, rinse it with running water and dry it;
• disassemble the heads into florets 3 cm in diameter, the length should be the same;
• Blanch the vegetables for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge the florets into ice water;
• dry the cabbage;
• Place the inflorescences in bags, removing the air from them;
• Place the bags of broccoli in the freezer.

When you need to prepare a broccoli dish, take several bags out of the freezer and defrost the product in warm water.

How to store sauerkraut in the refrigerator

White cabbage fermented using the traditional method can be stored for several months under suitable conditions. Therefore, it can be eaten throughout the fall, winter, and even spring.

Of course, room temperature isn't suitable for long-term storage. Under these conditions, the product will quickly turn sour. The longest shelf life can be achieved by placing sauerkraut in the freezer. It's important to remember that you should only take out as much sauerkraut as you plan to use when defrosting it. Refreezing is not recommended.

The optimal storage temperature for sauerkraut is considered to be between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius (32 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit). It's best to keep the temperature within this range and not let it drop below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), even for short periods.

These conditions can be created in the refrigerator. This appliance maintains the correct temperature for storing this type of cabbage, and there are no temperature fluctuations. The only drawback of the refrigerator is its small capacity. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to fit all your ingredients in it.

How long does stewed cabbage last in the refrigerator?

Sometimes there is a need to preserve stewed cabbage for some time so that it can then be quickly used as a side dish for some dish.

1. It is known that this dish contains a lot of vitamin C, but after 24 hours, when stored at room temperature, most of it evaporates.
2. It's a different story if you put stewed cabbage in the refrigerator. It can be stored there for up to 3 days without losing quality. However, it has been noted that after 2-3 days of such storage, its flavor changes, and not for the better.
3. You can also place the stewed cabbage in the freezer for longer storage. It can be kept in this way for up to six months without affecting its flavor.
4. Before placing this dish in the freezer, the stewed cabbage needs to be prepared. This involves placing it in small pots. Using bags for this purpose is not recommended.

When you need to prepare a dish from this cabbage, you need to remove the product from the freezer, warm it up in the microwave, and only then place it in a frying pan to heat it up.

Can you store cabbage in the freezer?

Sauerkraut can be stored in the freezer. The vegetable is in brine, so even temperatures as low as -10°C (-32°F) won't affect its quality. Long-term storage in the freezer is also suitable for cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

Freezing cauliflower

This vegetable has a refined flavor and contains many beneficial elements. To use cauliflower for culinary purposes throughout the year, it must be frozen.

The process looks like this:

1. Place the cabbage in salt water to dislodge insects and their larvae.
2. Then place the fork in boiling water with lemon juice added for 3 minutes.
3. After blanching, place the cabbage head in a bowl of cold water to cool. This is essential to preserve the vegetable's nutritional value, appearance, and juiciness.
4. After drying, tear off or cut off the cabbage leaves, as well as any damaged parts.
5. Separate the cauliflower into florets. Place each florets in a separate, airtight bag.

Freezing white cabbage

For long-term storage at low temperatures, select top-quality cabbage. It should be firm, juicy, and undamaged. Early cabbage varieties are usually frozen. These vegetables cannot be used in salads later. This type of cabbage is suitable for frying, boiling, and stewing.

The freezing process will look like this step by step:

1. Choose a vegetable that is suitable for freezing.
2. Remove dried, wilted, damaged leaves, and fragments with dark spots.
3. Wash and dry the forks.
4. Cut the cabbage into strips.
5. Pour boiling water over the shredded cabbage. This will preserve its color and flavor.
6. Pack the product into small, airtight synthetic bags.
7. Place the product in the freezer.

Adviсe

Experienced housewives, when preparing forks for storage, recommend following these steps:

1. Soak each head of cabbage in salted water before refrigerating. 20 minutes should be enough.
2. Then dry the heads of cabbage with a waffle towel. This technique will help remove any insects stuck between the leaves.
3. Inspect stored vegetables regularly. If you notice cabbage leaves losing their usual color, remove the head from the refrigerator and remove the wrapper and any spoiling leaves.
4. After this, wrap the fork in film again and put it in the refrigerator.

If fresh cabbage has lost its original appearance, you can take it out of the refrigerator and ferment or preserve it.

As we can see, storing small quantities of cabbage for long periods is possible even in a city apartment. With a refrigerator, this problem won't be difficult to solve. Experiment and try different options to find the best one.