Saving the harvest until spring: how to properly store zucchini for the winter and what conditions need to be created for vegetables

Zucchini, the pulp of which is rich in vitamins and minerals, is a decoration for everyday and holiday tables. This vegetable contains potassium, iron, fiber, vitamins. This vegetable is 95% water. Due to its properties, it is used in dietary and baby food, suitable for people with digestive problems, as well as for recovery after long-term treatment.

Many housewives prepare squash caviar, salads, and pickle fruits for the winter. in pieces, frozen. But with the right choice of storage conditions for fruits in the cellar, you can avoid preservation and keep vegetables fresh.

Proven varieties of zucchini for winter storage

Let's consider what types of zucchini Suitable for winter storage in the cellar.

Farmers recommend late varieties:

• Festival;
• Golden Cup;
• Gribovsky;
• Aeronaut;
• Arlica.

A distinctive feature of these species is their thick skin, large size, small seeds, and dryish pulp.

How and when to collect zucchini for storage

Late varieties of zucchini bear fruit three months after planting in the garden. At the end of August, ripe vegetables without mechanical damage or signs of rotting are stored in the cellar. It is necessary to harvest the crop before the first frost.

Important. The fruit should not be allowed to overripe. To protect the vegetable from pests, leave a stalk of at least 5 cm. You cannot wash the zucchini before storing.Just shake off the soil or wipe with a dry cloth. Wait until the fruit is fully ripe so that the skin of the fruit becomes dense.

Is it possible to store zucchini in the basement until spring?

A cellar (basement) with a temperature range of +4 to +8 degrees and a humidity of 80-85% is an ideal place to store vegetables. This ratio of indicators is favorable for extending the shelf life of the crop and the possibility of preserving it until spring.

Zucchini does not like high humidity. Ensure good cellar ventilation. And be sure to take measures to exterminate rodents - carry out deratization, get rid of mold, do a complete cleaning of the room.

How to store zucchini in the winter in a cellar or basement

Place the fruits on racks or shelves in one layer at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other so that they do not touch. If the cellar does not have shelves, place vegetables in boxes.

To protect against moisture and spread diseases Lay dry straw in the boxes, line them with wax paper, or make partitions from thick cardboard. This will save the harvest.

Place ripe zucchini in plastic or wooden boxes and place on the floor. Use these vegetables first. Many people are interested in how long zucchini can be stored using this method. The shelf life of vegetables is 2-4 weeks.

Attention. For zucchini in the cellar, choose a place away from the main harvest. They do not like being near other vegetables and fruits. Next to pears, melons, apples, bell peppers, tomatoes The shelf life is reduced by 2-3 times.

Storage duration

If you control the humidity level, temperature in the cellar (basement), provide ventilation and protection from rodents, the crop will be stored in the cellar (cellar) for 6-8 months.

Every two weeks it is necessary to check the fruits and throw out those that show signs of rotting and mold.

Tips and secrets of summer residents:

1. Cut the fruits from the bush with pruners or a knife. An even cut increases the shelf life of the vegetable.
2. Place the collected zucchini in the sun to harden the skin. In this form, it prevents moisture from evaporating from the pulp and preserves its taste.
3. Turn the fruits over once every two weeks and check the condition of the stalk. Using it, you will understand the condition of the vegetable in winter and can immediately remove the spoiled one.
4. Try storing zucchini by hanging each one from the cellar ceiling in a net or nylon stocking.
5. Fruits on which mold has appeared are immediately thrown away; it is not recommended to eat them even after heat treatment.

Important.Plastic bags are not suitable for this storage method. Vegetables spoil in them.

Conclusion

If the method of storing zucchini in the cellar suits you, start preparing for it at the end of winter, when you choose varieties of zucchini to plant summer cottage.

In the summer, prepare the basement so that you can start storing the crops there at the beginning of autumn. We hope that the storage rules and advice from experienced summer residents described in our article will help you preserve zucchini until spring.