How to store watermelons at home in winter

For residents of Russia, watermelon is an exclusively seasonal product. How you want to crunch them when the cold comes! Let's reveal a secret - there are several ways to preserve watermelon at home until the New Year. Just imagine the surprise of family and guests when they see summer fruits on the festive table.

How to surprise your loved ones and save watermelon for the winter, read our article.

How to preserve watermelon until the New Year at home

You can save watermelon until the New Year in a private house with cellar, and in a city apartment. Let's consider all storage options.

In the house

Keep this summer berry in a private house it is easier than in an apartment - there are more suitable places and it is not so difficult to maintain the desired temperature regime. An excellent place would be an attic, basement or cellar, storage room, garage or any other cool room.

Important. Optimal temperature for storage – +5…+8°C.

In the apartment

Everything is clear with a private house, but how to preserve a watermelon until the New Year in an ordinary city apartment? To begin with, it is important to choose the right place. A pantry or glassed-in balcony is most suitable for this.

Once the ideal place has been found, it’s time to choose a storage method – there are several of them:

1. Hanging. This method is suitable for both apartments and houses. The ideal place for hanging is a closet or basement. Find a piece of natural fabric that will completely cover the watermelon, wrap it tightly and put it in a string bag or bag, hang it from the ceiling using a hook.An important point - the fruit should not come into contact with other objects or walls - hang it in the middle of the room.
2. Straw. Prepare a wooden box and line its bottom with a thick layer of straw. Place the fruits at some distance from each other, the stalk should remain on top. Add more straw between the fruits so that it fits snugly on all sides of the watermelons.
3. Sand. For this method you will again need a wooden box. Fill it halfway with sand. Place the berry with the stem down and carefully cover it with sand so that it completely covers the fruit. Place the box in any dark, cool room.
4. Water. At first glance, this method will seem strange, but nevertheless, it is also often used. The main condition for such storage is ice water. You can place the watermelon in a barrel of water in the basement or dip it in an ice hole. The watermelon is completely submerged in the water.
5. Ash. This method is suitable for those who have a stove or fireplace in their country house. Place dry ash tightly in a wooden box, place the berry in it and completely cover it with ash. This method is good because the ash prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi, and also absorbs excess moisture.
6. Clay. Dilute the clay with water to the consistency of porridge. After this, apply it in a thick layer on the berry. Let the first layer dry, then move on to the next one. Repeat the procedure until the layer thickness becomes 0.5 cm. Let the clay dry completely, after that, put the “clay” watermelon in a bag and hang it in a dark, cool room.
7. Paraffin. The principle of storage in paraffin is the same as in clay. Dip the watermelon in paraffin and let dry. Repeat the procedure until a dense layer of 1 cm is formed.Then let the watermelon dry completely and hang it in the center of a cool room.

A few more secrets:

• It is best to choose fruit of medium ripeness for long-term storage;
• provide free space for storage - do not allow the berries to come into contact with each other or other products;
• an important condition is a soft place, do not place it on a hard surface;
• do not forget to check the condition of the fruit and periodically turn the watermelon so that it does not lie on one side for several months.

By following these simple rules, any housewife will be able to surprise her guests at the New Year's table.

Important. If storage rules are followed, watermelon can be stored for about four months. Determine the time in advance and prepare everything you need for the chosen method.

Choosing watermelon for long-term storage

Once the storage method has been chosen, all that remains is to choose a watermelon that is ideal for long-term storage.

Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

1. Carefully check the fruit from all sides. It should not have dents, sunburn, cracks or other irregularities.
2. Choose late ones varieties. These fruits have a thicker peel, which allows them to be stored longer.
3. Weight matters too. A fruit weighing about 5 kg is ideal. Don't choose watermelons that are too small or too large.

Storage conditions

For storage for several months, a dark, well-ventilated and cool room is sufficient. The optimal temperature is +5...+8°C and relative humidity is no more than 80%.

Important. At lower or higher temperatures, the watermelon will spoil very quickly. The same goes for room humidity.

Once the perfect watermelon has been purchased, prepare it for long-term storage:

• wash thoroughly without damaging the peel;
• wipe dry;
• leave to dry completely.

Storage alternative

If you want to crunch on a watermelon during the New Year holidays, but there are no suitable conditions for long-term storage, there is one alternative option - canning.

Not only the pulp is preserved, but also the watermelon rinds, which we are used to throwing away. Preserve watermelon parts in a jar as you would any other vegetable or fruit. This dish can be eaten all year round.

Another method of preparation is watermelon jam. Boil the pulp over low heat, adding sugar to taste.

During the cooking process, the pulp turns into a viscous jam - this dish is also called “watermelon honey”.

An original way to serve the New Year's table

If the main goal is to surprise guests at the New Year's table, here are several ways to prepare and serve watermelon in an original way:

1. On ice – Prepare more ice cubes in advance. Take a nice, deep dish, place ice in it and place a watermelon on top. Finish the edible arrangement with a few mint leaves for garnish. Serve with champagne.
2. Bruschetta with cheese and watermelon – fry fresh bread in olive oil. Ciabatta or baguette is perfect for this dish. Cut the watermelon and cheese into small pieces and mix together. Place the filling on toasted bread and serve to your holiday table.
3. Watermelon cocktail – beat the pulp in a blender until liquid consistency. To serve, choose original, tall glasses. Fill them with ice cubes and watermelon juice. Garnish with a sprig of mint. If desired, add alcohol to the cocktail - champagne or a little white rum.

These are just three ways to serve watermelon in an original way; in fact, even ordinary slicing on a beautiful dish will surprise guests in winter, rest assured.

Advice. Stores sell various molds for freezing ice. If you don’t want ordinary cubes, look for something suitable for the holiday theme - Christmas trees, snowflakes, snowmen.

Conclusion

If you want to surprise your guests at the New Year's table, treat them to fresh watermelon. We told you in detail how to store watermelon in winter - it is not a complicated process at all.

The main thing is to decide on the storage method and prepare it in advance. And first of all, choose a beautiful watermelon without damage or cracks, which will become the main treat for the New Year.