How to properly store cut avocados

With the appearance of a variety of exotic products on the shelves of vegetable stores, many housewives are faced with the problem of storing them. Avocado is a perishable fruit, but if you follow the recommendations, you can significantly extend its shelf life, even when its integrity is already compromised.

How to Preserve a Cut Avocado

Since the fruit contains iron, its pulp quickly oxidizes in air, begins to darken, and loses its attractive appearance. If a dish only requires a few slices, the rest will quickly spoil. There are several ways to preserve long-term fruit freshness and good taste.

At room temperature

This method is suitable when cut fruit is collected keep not for long (1-2 days). To prevent the flesh from darkening, limit its exposure to air as quickly as possible.

Procedure:

1. Lubricate the cut surface with lemon juice.
2. Carefully fold the halves together, trying to align the edges of the cuts as accurately as possible.
3. Place the fruit in a paper bag or wrap it in paper.
4. If there is only one half, wrap it with cling film so that the polyethylene fits tightly to the cut surface.

Placing an avocado in a container of ice water will help, but will affect the quality - the taste will become watery and the flesh less dense.

In a refrigerator

How to store an avocado in the refrigerator after cutting? Here the fruit will lie, without losing its appetizing appearance, for up to 5-6 days.Most options are related to the fruit's reaction to interaction with other products.

With lemon

The juice of this citrus prevents the oxidation of the pulp and changes in its color. Therefore, before placing the fruit in the refrigerator, place thin slices of fresh lemon on the cuts, trying to cover the entire surface. For a better fit, cover the top with polyethylene or parchment.

With onion

This method has proven to be the most effective: avocados look completely fresh for several days and taste just as good as freshly cut ones.

Reference! Onions release sulfur compounds that act as an excellent natural preservative.

The fruit is placed in the refrigerator along with large pieces of juicy peeled onion. It is best to place in an airtight food container with a well-fitting lid.

With olive oil

For this method you will need a container that does not allow air to pass through. Half the fruit is brushed with fresh olive oil with a pastry brush. It is important that the oily film covers the entire cut, leaving no areas open to air. The fruit is placed in the refrigerator, and the lid of the container is carefully closed.

The absence of a seed negatively affects the quality of storage. That is why it is advisable to use the pitted half first for food - this way the second part has a better chance of staying fresh for several days.

Storing peeled avocados

Sometimes not all of the fruit can be used, although it has already been completely peeled and even cut into pieces. If you do not allow constant exposure to open air, the slices will be quite suitable for salad even after a couple of days.

How long will it last in the refrigerator?

Without packaging in a regular plate, the pulp will darken on the second day. The shelf life of peeled fruit varies:

• in an airtight container, if you add chopped onions, 6 days;
• in a container with a lid, pieces sprinkled with lemon or lime juice will last up to 6 days;
• lightly oiled slices in a container will not darken for about 5 days;
• in a tight plastic bag with a zip-lock fastener, from which the air has been forced out and closed - no more than 2 days.

If you plan to use the sliced ​​avocado within the next day, keep it from oxidizing by placing it in a bowl of ice water. The pieces should be covered with a layer of liquid.

Proper storage in the freezer

The freezer will protect fruit preparations intended for use in soups, casseroles, and other vegetable dishes from spoilage. The shelf life of semi-finished products reaches several months. In order not to spoil the taste, it is important to properly prepare the fruit.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Peel the peel, remove the pit.
2. Mash the pulp with a fork or beat with a blender.
3. Place the mixture in a container or molds.
4. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
5. Place in the freezer.

The shelf life of such a product is up to 5 months. If you freeze the pieces instead of puree, the period will be reduced to 3 months.

Important! The melted pulp is used immediately, adding to smoothies or sauces. Repeated freezing is unacceptable.

How to preserve avocado halves until ripe

It is not always clear from external signs how ripe the fruit was chosen. If it turns out to be hard when cut, there is no need to throw it away. There are ways to get the fruit to ripen so you can eat it in a couple of days.

Sprinkle the open sections with lemon juice and fold the halves, pressing them tightly together.By following the recommendations, it is easy to make the pulp soft and tasty.

Another way:

1. Wrap the halves with cling film.
2. Place them in a craft paper bag.
3. Place a ripe apple in there.
4. Close tightly.
5. Place in a cool place at +18…+24°C (for example, on a windowsill).

The apple will produce ethylene, which has a positive effect on ripening.

An oven and newspaper will also help solve the problem:

1. The halves are wrapped in newspaper and secured with thread.
2. Heat the oven slightly on the lowest setting.
3. The bundle is placed on a baking sheet and left in a warm cabinet, turning off the heat.
4. Place in a cool place, unwrap and eat after 2 days.

If you don’t have the time or desire to tinker with hard fruit, bake it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Conclusion

If the purchase of an avocado was unsuccessful, you came across an unripe avocado; the unripe fruit is left to be used for its intended purpose a little later.

Fruit that is not completely eaten is not thrown away: cut and even peeled, it will keep well in the refrigerator for several days, and when frozen, its beneficial properties and taste will not disappear for 3–5 months.