How to properly store cauliflower

Cauliflower contains a number of vitamins and microelements necessary for humans. But under normal room conditions, the vegetable does not retain its composition for long - only a few days. To extend the shelf life to 2-4 weeks or even a year, you need to choose the right temperature and packaging for cauliflower.

How to properly store cauliflower in the refrigerator

There are several ways to store cauliflower at home. The most affordable option is a refrigerator. But if you create incorrect storage conditions, the vegetable may darken and lose most of its beneficial properties.

To prevent this from happening, you should first pay attention to the cabbage itself. It should be fresh, dry, elastic, not overripe, weighing 0.5-1.2 kg. If the head of cabbage has a yellowish tint, it will not last long even if the basic rules are followed.

How long can you store

The quality of the product depends not only on the degree of ripeness and freshness, but also on storage conditions. In the refrigerator, the vegetable will not lose its beneficial properties and original appearance. If you put the heads of cabbage on a shelf without packaging, they will stay there for no more than two weeks.

It is not recommended to defrost the refrigerator or move vegetables from place to place. Temperature changes during long-term storage often lead to darkening of the heads of cabbage and the appearance of bitterness. They lose their natural taste, appearance and benefits, and become unsuitable for consumption.

Important. Cauliflower loves moisture.For a week's storage (short term), just wrap it in a damp towel and leave it in a cool place. Then the vegetable will remain fresh, crispy and healthy.

Proper dry wrapping of cauliflower will extend the shelf life by three weeks to a month. But first you need to choose the most suitable packaging.

What's better to wrap it in?

There are several optimal ways packages of cauliflower for storing in the refrigerator:

• cling film;
• plastic bag;
• jar.

In the first and second cases, you need to pack each head of cabbage separately. When they do not touch and “live” independently, a unique microclimate is formed inside the bag or film, thanks to which cauliflower is stored for a long time.

The product must first go through several stages of processing:

1. It is necessary to separate the dense stalks from the inflorescences.
2. Remove stems and withered leaves from the heads of cabbage.
3. Remove sprouts.
4. Wash the heads of cabbage under running water.
5. Dry naturally.
6. Pack each inflorescence in a separate bag or cling film.
7. Use a knitting needle to pierce several small holes in the packaging for ventilation.

Proper preparation and wrapping will keep the product in the refrigerator for at least three weeks.

Bank storage method requires special preparation. The cauliflower needs to be divided into several parts and deboned. in a small amount of salt. Place the inflorescences in a glass jar, cover with parchment and refrigerate.

Important. It is strictly not recommended to store cabbages under the freezer, on a shelf near the back wall or in the upper compartment. It is in these places that the temperature in the refrigerator is the lowest and is not suitable for long-term storage of the product.

Cauliflower can be placed in the vegetable drawer, but even then there are a few important tips to follow, as it goes well with only a few other foods.

Neighborhood with other products

Cauliflower is a finicky crop that does not tolerate outsiders. Some fruits and vegetables emit ethylene gas, which negatively affects the freshness of their “neighbors” in the compartment:

• apricots;
• melons;
• plums;
• tomatoes;
• mango;
• bananas;
• pears.

Next to these products, cauliflower will spoil in a few days. If you don’t have much space in the refrigerator and you want to put the heads of cabbage next to other vegetables, it’s better to choose broccoli, carrots, and pumpkin.

If you can store cauliflower separately, there is no need to add any vegetables. This way the product will remain fresh for a longer period.

Despite following all the recommendations, dark spots and mold may appear on the head of cabbage. Further storage is strictly contraindicated - it will have to be thrown away.

Storing cauliflower in the freezer

Cauliflower is a source of nutrients that people need all year round. Since the vegetable grows only in summer, it is advisable to freeze the heads of cabbage for the autumn-winter period.

But first, you need to prepare your cauliflower for storage, avoiding common problems.

Can it be stored in the freezer?

Cauliflower requires special preparation for storage as both in the refrigerator and in the freezer.

Important. First of all, you need to select heads of cabbage suitable for freezing. The inflorescences should be elastic, milky white, without yellowness. Young leaves and shoots do not need to be removed.

If, when examining the inflorescences and stems, black spots, lethargy or softness are noticeable, this may indicate fungus and mold. Such heads of cabbage cannot be frozen or left in the refrigerator for a long time. It is recommended to trim the affected areas.

How long is it stored?

Freezing significantly extends the shelf life of cabbage. Heads of cabbage can lie in the chamber from two months to one year, provided that the temperature in the compartment is always at the same level:

• at -12°C cabbage can be stored for up to two months;
• at -18°C – until the summer harvest.

The lower the temperature in the freezer, the longer the inflorescences last, but the optimal range is considered to be -17 to -20°C.

Important. If for some reason the heads of cabbage have been thawed, they cannot be re-heated. Repeated storage in the freezer will lead to a change in the color and aroma of the vegetable, loss of taste and benefits, and the appearance of bitterness. In some cases, such a product becomes dangerous to the health of children and adults.

How to freeze correctly

There are several popular ways to freeze cauliflower:

• fresh;
• boiled;
• with broccoli.

Each of these methods requires certain preparation, so before freezing you should familiarize yourself with all the methods and choose the most suitable one for yourself.

To store raw cauliflower you will need:

1. Trim the leaves and young seedlings, break the head of cabbage into inflorescences and place in a cup of cold salted water for 5-7 minutes.
2. Place dry cotton napkins or clean towels on the table and place pieces of cabbage on them.
3. When the fabric absorbs moisture, place the inflorescences in a container prepared in advance.

You can place cauliflower in plastic bags specially designed for freezing.Conventional ones quickly tear at low temperatures, and vegetables scatter throughout the chamber.

To prevent such problems, it is better to keep cabbage in plastic containers with an airtight lid. Then getting a few inflorescences for preparing a dish will not be difficult.

To store boiled cauliflower you need:

1. Rinse the heads of cabbage under running water, remove the leaves and chop them coarsely.
2. For blanching, prepare two pans: one with boiling water and one with cold water.
3. Cook the cauliflower for three minutes over low heat. Then immerse in cold water, immediately remove and place on napkins.
4. When the cabbage dries, put it in bags or containers, and then put it in the freezer for long-term storage.

The heads of cabbage should not soften in boiling water; they remain elastic and hard, having gone through only the first stage of cooking.

It is not necessary to cut the cabbage into pieces. In this case, the head of cabbage must be cooked immediately after defrosting. At the preparation stage, no additional operations are required - the technology is the same as when separating the inflorescences.

Cauliflower combines with broccoli not only in taste, but also in storage method:

1. Wash the vegetables, remove leaves and stems, and divide into inflorescences.
2. Place in boiling water for ten minutes, then remove from the water and dry thoroughly.
3. Place all the cabbage in containers and freeze.

If desired, you can add green peas or bell pepper to the vegetables. They go well together in stew or soup.

Conclusion

Preserving cauliflower for a long time is quite possible if you adhere to the above rules. Our methods and tips will help you prepare healthy and tasty dishes at any time of the year and support your body with vitamins and microelements.