Where and how to preserve melon until the New Year at home

Different people associate summer with different things - the beach, the cottage, vacations, mosquitoes. But there are also common joys, for example, sugar melons. And you must admit, it will be unusual to experience this sunny, fresh taste in winter.

How to preserve melon until the New Year at home, which varieties are suitable for this and how to prepare the fruits - we will tell you in the article.

Conditions and terms for storing melon at home

When purchasing a melon for wintering, first of all pay attention to the degree of ripeness. It must be immature. Only in this case is it possible to save it until the New Year.

A few basic rules:

1. Store only in a cellar or similar place. That is, the room temperature should be from +2°C to +4°C. Do not store melon in the refrigerator. It will stay there for no more than a month, regardless of the variety.
2. Air humidity – from 60% to 85%.
3. The storage container must be well ventilated.
4. Store melon separately from vegetables that have a strong smell.

Attention! You cannot store melon next to beets and potatoes. In no case - near apples. They release ethylene, which promotes rapid ripening of the fruit.

Is it possible to keep melon fresh until the New Year?

To preserve the melon until the holidays, and then delight guests and household members, take the time to choose the right fruit. Let's consider which varieties are suitable for wintering and how long each one can be stored.

Which varieties are suitable for long-term storage?

Eat three types of varieties:

1. Early. The maximum shelf life is up to a month. Then the melon loses its taste and appearance. This is best eaten within 2-3 weeks.
2. Mid-season – stored for 3-4 months. It is also worth monitoring the appearance, do not overexpose, otherwise you will get a spoiled product.
3. Late – can be stored for up to six months if stored correctly.

Such terms are valid only for storage in cellars or basements!

For "wintering" choose late melon varieties. These include:

1. Golden (on the picture). The harvest is harvested no earlier than 90 days from the first shoots. The fruits are round or oval in shape, the skin is bright yellow, the skin is smooth. It has a pronounced aroma, is soft, juicy and pleasant to the taste. Shows high resistance to diseases, insects, and sudden temperature changes.
2. Wintering. They ripen 95 days from the first shoots. The shape is oval, the peel is yellow-green with a large mesh, the flesh is greenish, juicy and tender. Weight is within 2-3 kg. Resistant to drought and disease.
3. Torpedo. Ripening time is from 100 to 113 days. It has an oblong shape, rich taste and aroma, yellow skin. Thanks to the mesh on the surface of the fruit, resistance to hot weather conditions and diseases increases. Weight reaches from 4 to 7 kg.
4. A pineapple. It is grown only in greenhouses or greenhouses, as it is not frost-resistant. Ripens in 95 days. Oval, elongated shape. Orange peel, convex mesh. Weight reaches 2-3 kg. Incredibly juicy and aromatic. It tastes like pineapple, which is true to its name. The variety is resistant to diseases.

How to choose fruits

Don't grab the first thing that comes to hand. Choose carefully: Inspect, feel, check for defects.

Signs to watch out for:

• the number of cracks on the peel (the fewer, the better) - indicates that the berry is unripe;
• The “nose” of the melon is elastic;
• the skin has a greenish tint - the melon has a chance to last until the New Year;
• no damage to the fetus (pressures, cracks, dents);
• pronounced aroma.

If you grow melons yourself, remove them a week before they are completely ripe. Leave the stalk at least 3 cm long. It is better not to cut the fruit, but to pick it.

Ways to preserve melon until the New Year

So what should you store the melon in so that it is present on the New Year's table? Let's consider all the options.

On the grid

The best storage method is hanging in a net from the ceiling in a basement or cellar.. The fruits should hang at a sufficient distance from each other, without touching. Bags made of reeds or vegetable mesh made of natural or synthetic fibers are suitable.

In the box

For storing melons the box is filled with one of the components:

• sand;
• perlite;
• vermiculite;
• grain (mainly rye);
• natural sawdust.

The filler is used to retain moisture. Holes are left in the box to allow oxygen to enter. The fruit is lowered into the sand or filler with the stalk down. Inspect the melons regularly. If one begins to deteriorate or rot, it is immediately taken out to save the rest.

On the racks

When the harvest is large, storage racks are chosen. They are covered with soft cloth, sawdust, straw or hay are poured under the cloth. This way, dents will not form, which will lead to rotting of the product.

Place at a short distance in one layer. They check the melons about 2-3 times a month, turn them over, and inspect them for damage and rotting processes.The ripe ones are removed and served.

At room temperature

Melon can be stored in an apartment for up to 5-7 days.. But it is better not to leave it on a hard floor, but to cover it with thick fabric to avoid rotting. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and proximity to heating devices, as heat enhances the ripening process. Ventilate the room regularly.

When the product reaches its highest degree of ripeness, it is consumed within two days. Ripeness is defined as follows: a fragrant aroma appears, the peel becomes elastic, uniform in color, slightly springs when pressed, makes a dull sound when patted, the stalk dries out.

In a refrigerator

Let's repeat it again: Do not store melon in the refrigerator. This will not prolong its freshness. Only if you wrap it in natural fabric, cling film or paper, but leave a hole for air to enter, you will slightly increase the shelf life - up to two weeks. In this case, leave on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Important! In the absence of ventilation and low temperatures, mold appears. Wash the fruits first and dry them well, check for damage. Only then put it in the refrigerator.

The nuances of storing ripe melon

Do you want to enjoy the delicate taste of melon a couple of days after purchase? Have you purchased a large quantity at once?

Requiring ripening

What should you do with a melon that is still needs to mature:

• Place in a dark and cool place on a soft surface.
• Wrap loosely in paper and place in the refrigerator.
• In the refrigerator, place in a separate section for vegetables.

Cut

Did you buy a large melon but couldn’t eat it all at once? No problem. Cover with paper or cotton napkin and put in the refrigerator. This way it will keep for a maximum of three more days. Leave the seeds, then it will not spoil.

What is the best way to store melon in an apartment?

Melons of late varieties can be stored for up to a month.:

• in a cool, dark place, for example, near a balcony door, on a loggia or in a pantry;
• on the floor covered with soft cloth, which will not allow them to rot;
• in the refrigerator in a special compartment, wrapped in paper, but not tightly - for air exchange.

Recycled storage

Melon is frozen, canned, dried and drying. In this form, it pleases until the new harvest.

Freezing

Do you want to use the method frost? Follow the advice:

1. Wash and dry the fruits well.
2. Cut into slices or use a special spoon to make balls of the pulp.
3. Spread evenly on a tray and freeze for 12 hours.
4. Place the frozen balls or slices in bags and return them to the freezer.
5. Get a delicious and healthy independent dessert at any time of the year. Or use for other dishes.

Drying

You can dry it in an electric dryer or in a conventional oven.:

1. Wash and dry the fruit.
2. Cut into slices no larger than 2 cm.
3. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Place in the oven preheated to +220°C.
5. After 15 minutes, open the door slightly and reduce the temperature.
6. Dry the slices at +85°C for 6 hours.
7. Turn them over every half hour to ensure even drying.
8. After drying in the oven, leave the slices in a ventilated area for several days to evaporate excess moisture.
9. Store in a glass container, tightly closed, or in cloth bags in a dark place, such as a pantry or kitchen cupboard.

Canning

Easy, simple and tasty way canning melons for the winter.

Will need:

• melon – 2.5 kg;
• sugar – 2 tbsp;
• citric acid – 1 tsp;
• filtered water – 1 l.

How to cook:

1. Wash the melon thoroughly and dry.
2. Cut into large slices and remove the core. Remove the seeds. Cut off the skin.
3. Cut into 3-4 cm pieces.
4. Place in jars.
5. Cook the syrup: pour water into a saucepan, add sugar and citric acid, boil for five minutes. Pour hot into jars.
6. Place the jars in a bowl of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes to sterilize, remove, roll up the lids and turn over.

Conclusion

If you want to enjoy melon for the New Year, choose the following varieties: Zimovka, Torpedo, Zolotistaya or Pineapple. Store in dark, cool areas, preferably in a net. Either freeze, dry, or can and enjoy the dessert year-round.