Ways to preserve Chinese cabbage for the winter at home in fresh, canned and frozen form

Beijing cabbage is no less popular among chefs than white cabbage. This explains the desire of many housewives to prepare a large supply of heads of cabbage for the whole winter. Both cellars and ordinary balconies in apartments are suitable for storage. We will tell you in detail how to preserve Chinese cabbage for the winter at home.

Is it possible to keep Chinese cabbage fresh for the winter?

The shelf life of Chinese cabbage is much shorter than that of white cabbage.. However, this does not prevent vegetable growers from harvesting impressive volumes of harvested crops at home.

Some people manage to save the stock they prepared at the end of September until the New Year holidays, while others enjoy fresh vegetables until March! To extend shelf life, cabbage is pickled, dried or frozen.

Selection and preparation of cabbage for storage

To keep cabbage for a long time, preference is given to high-quality heads of cabbage. with unrotten leaves, not damaged by slugs and insects. Before being sent for long-term storage, all copies are carefully inspected and sorted.

The varieties that are characterized by the best taste properties are used as food first.

Suitable varieties

Only late-ripening varieties and some mid-ripening varieties are suitable for winter harvesting of vegetables.. Their leaves are dense and elastic, while those of the early Peking plant are tender and soft.During the process of fermentation, pickling or freezing, such heads of cabbage will become tasteless, and the greens will turn into a mushy mass.

Reference. Small ones are left for processing or consumption, and large varieties are chosen for long-term storage. They are more resistant to frost, sudden temperature changes and are less susceptible to rotting.

The most suitable varieties of Chinese cabbage – those collected in Russian regions, preferably in the middle zone or southern latitudes. Heads of cabbage imported from Asian territories and imported hybrids are not suitable for winter harvesting. Such vegetables do not have sufficient shelf life and resistance to rotting.

The following varieties keep well:

• Wineglass;
• Asten;
• Princess;
• Russian size;
• Vorozheya;
• Magician.

Harvest a few days after the first frost, when the heads of cabbage are slightly frozen. Keeping cabbage in sub-zero temperatures extends its shelf life and makes it more resistant to diseases and pests.

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Do I need to wash before storing?

Fresh After collecting from the beds, the heads of cabbage are left on the veranda or in another ventilated area for drying. It is recommended to wash Chinese cabbage before salting, pickling or freezing. To store vegetables fresh, they should not be subjected to wet processing.

Storage space

Owners of their own houses with cellars and ventilated basements experience fewer difficulties with storing crops. In an apartment, vegetables can be preserved without suitable conditions only for a few days. Peking cabbage is a capricious product; it quickly fades and loses its beneficial properties and taste.

In a refrigerator

Optimal storage mode for Pekinka on refrigerator shelves – at a temperature of +2…+3°C. In this case, each specimen is tightly wrapped in cling film to avoid chapping and wilting of the leaves.

The bottom drawers reserved for vegetables are suitable for storing the harvest., as well as special plastic boxes with lids. Cabbage prepared in this form is suitable for fresh salads and snacks, but it is recommended to consume it within 1 month.

On the balcony

Glazed and insulated balconies and loggias are suitable for long-term storage, where the temperature does not fall below +1°C and does not rise above +3°C. Sharp fluctuations are harmful to the heads of cabbage and cause rapid rotting.

The place is chosen taking into account that sunlight does not fall there. Cabbage does not tolerate it and lies much better in dark rooms or under shelters that do not allow light to pass through.

Important! When installing home vegetable storage facilities on the balconies, the windows are opened daily for ventilation. Lack of ventilation negatively affects the quality of heads of cabbage and the duration of their storage.

In the basement/cellar

Optimal humidity in the cellar is from 87 to 92%. When this level increases, condensation forms on the cabbage, the foliage becomes limp and stale. The neighborhood is also taken into account: Pekinka is not placed next to apples and tomatoes. These products release substances that cause tender foliage to wilt.

In cellars where additional heating systems are equipped or air drying, periodically install containers with water. It is not allowed to lower the temperature to sub-zero values.

Important! The room set aside as storage for Chinese cabbage is regularly ventilated, and a forced ventilation system is installed in the cellars and basements. Stagnant air promotes the proliferation of harmful microorganisms and the formation of rot. When damage appears, only 1-2 top leaves are removed.

Storage methods

Depending on the capabilities, each housewife chooses the most optimal way to store the crop. For this purpose, ordinary available means and devices are used.

In paper

For wrapping, use regular newspaper or sheets of office paper.. Each head of cabbage is wrapped in 2 layers so that there are no uncovered areas left. The paper prevents the heads from touching, provides sufficient thermal insulation, and also protects the cabbage from light and moisture.

In sand

For maximum long-term storage, Pekinka is dug up along with the root part., trying not to damage it. The heads of cabbage are lightly compacted in boxes with sand so that it covers the root and part of the stalk. This storage method is suitable for cellars and balconies. The sand is periodically moistened to keep the leaves fresh.

In boxes

Absolutely dry and not rotten heads of cabbage are placed in wooden boxes or special containers with the stalk up. A mound of no more than 3 rows is allowed; each copy is wrapped in cling film or plastic wrap.

Vegetables are periodically inspected and rearranged, changing places to prevent squeezing the sides of the heads of cabbage and the appearance of mold. The boxes must have holes for air access.

In limbo

If there is not enough space in the cellar above the arranged boxes of vegetables equip a wooden shelf or nail it to the ceiling. Each head of cabbage, wrapped with rope by the stalk, is attached separately to the nails driven into it. When harvesting, leave at least 3 cm of the stalk.

In this state, vegetables are stored well due to sufficient ventilation. It is convenient to inspect them to identify signs of rot and mold.

Read also:

Methods for storing potatoes at home

Storing carrots at home in an apartment

other methods

Chinese cabbage does not need to be stored fresh., taking up large spaces for drawers and hanging shelves. The harvest is used to make delicious canned food, and is also frozen and dried.

Freezing

Before freezing, the leaves are carefully inspected and the head of cabbage is cut, since insect pests often take root inside. Further:

1. The vegetables are washed in cool water.
2. Immerse in salted boiling water for 1 minute.
3. Blanched leaves are placed on a towel and dried.
4. Cabbage is chopped or sent to the freezer with whole leaves, wrapped in film or placed in plastic containers.

The frozen semi-finished product is used for hot dishes, casseroles, as a filling for pies and dumplings.

Drying

An electric dryer or oven is suitable for this.. The head of cabbage is cut in half, inspected for the presence of pests inside and chopped. The resulting mass is laid out in one layer on a baking sheet or a special stand and sent to dry at a temperature of 70-80°C for 4-5 hours.

Periodically, carefully turn the cabbage over. The finished product is laid out in paper or linen bags and put it in a dry place (for example, kitchen cabinets or pantry).

Canning

It is not advisable to ferment Chinese cabbage, its leaves quickly become soft under the influence of salt, sugar, vinegar and other ingredients. Because of this, the main advantage of the product is lost - crunchiness. However, a prepared marinated dish will always come in handy in winter.

For canning, take a set of products:

• 0.5 kg cabbage;
• 0.5 tbsp. vinegar;
• 40 g sugar;
• 3 tbsp. l. salt;
• a few peas of allspice;
• half a pod of hot pepper;
• bay leaf and cloves - optional.

Cooking procedure:

1. The head of cabbage is washed well under running water.
2. Chop into strips 4-5 cm long.
3. Place in sterile jars, lightly compacted.
4. In a separate bowl, boil 0.5 liters of water, add spices and add vinegar at the end of cooking.
5. Fill jars with cabbage with boiling marinade, seal them hermetically and wrap them in a blanket for 24 hours.

Shelf life

High-quality and unspoiled harvest is stored for 4-5 months. Temperature changes, high humidity, and non-compliance with ventilation conditions significantly reduce the storage period.

The product can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 month., regularly inspecting it and changing the cling film with damaged upper leaves.

How to keep it fresh until the new year

To pamper your loved ones and guests with fresh salads on New Year’s holidays, Chinese cabbage is stored in the cellar, in boxes with wet sand. This is how the heads of cabbage retain their taste, beneficial properties and presentation.

How to store on an industrial scale in a vegetable store

Large volumes of crops are stored in specially equipped warehouses - vegetable warehouses. There, with the help of modern automation and instruments, they maintain the desired humidity, temperature and provide forced ventilation.. In such rooms, not only Chinese cabbage is placed, but also white cabbage, carrots, potatoes, beets and onions.

Conclusion

Storing Chinese cabbage at home is an easy way to stock up on vitamins and fresh vegetables for several winter months. A balcony or cellar, as well as a refrigerator, are used as home vegetable storage.

If the optimal humidity regime is observed and the temperature is maintained, the heads of cabbage will remain until mid-winter. If there are no places available for fresh storage, they can be canned, frozen or dried.