When it's August and cucumbers are beginning to bear fruit, I always there is a problem with their storage. Part of the harvest, I just roll up to the banks, and part of it remains fresh in the salads, soups and just eat.
But not all the cucumbers are eaten and used for the first five days. What to do in such a situation, not to throw the crop? Now I tell.
Recently, I learned to keep cucumbers so that they remain fresh and strong for 3-4 weeks.
How to keep cucumbers fresh for a month
No special storage conditions are not required, this method is available to all gardeners amateurs.
1. Properly selected applicants for storage
If you want the vegetables and fruits were stored for a long time, you need to properly sort the fruit. This is rule number one. If you choose the wrong candidates, the harvest does not survive long.
1.1 Cucumbers must be fresh
For storage it is necessary to select only fresh cucumbers. That is, specifically collect harvest storage. No need to sort the fruit, which lay in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They are unlikely to be stored for a long time.
My rule - once assembled, immediately went sort.
1.2 The fruit must be dry
No need to soak or wash the cucumbers before sorting. All vegetables has its own protective layer from rotting, pests and other adverse conditions. If it is washed off or scrape, the fruit will start to deteriorate quickly.
1.3 Cucumbers must be clean
Despite the fact that cucumbers do not need to wash, they are still worth to clean off the excess dirt - earth, dust adhering leaves and grass. But you should not overdo it, otherwise the protective layer will touch.
1.4 There should be no soft spots and damage
All the fruits that are sent for storage, must be free of damage and dents. If you drop a cucumber, do not keep it, better wash and eat.
1.5 The skin should be tight
For long-term storage is best suited fruits with thick and dense skin. This feature depends on how he cucumber varieties and growing conditions.
1.6 Proper collection
Cucumbers intended for storage are best cut with a sharp knife or scissors. This is done in order not to damage the fruit and tail.
Do not pull or squeeze much cucumber in his hand. This can cause damage to the fetus.
2. Create conditions for storage
In order to keep the cucumber for 3-4 weeks is not enough simply to put them in the fridge and wrapped in paper (another wrapper). Lack of moisture will be felt within 5-7 days. The fruits will simply dry. To avoid this, you must:
- Take a bowl with high enough edges and flat bottom. For example, this may be a large plastic container for food and greens;
- Pour pure water so that it completely covered the bottom of 1.5 - 2 cm .;
- Cucumber tails folded into water;
- Put in the refrigerator, in the vegetable compartment.
This is a great way to allow the cucumbers retain moisture and stay fresh for a month. However, there is a small disadvantage - the water should be changed / refilled every 1-2 days. But, it does not take much time.
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