Storing fresh eggplants

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After harvesting or purchasing in large quantities, the question arises: how to store eggplants? During storage, it is important not only to avoid spoilage of the product, but also to preserve the maximum of useful vitamins. Eggplants are stored, even in special conditions, for a short time. In the best case, they will stand for several months, and they can start deteriorating in 2-3 weeks.

Storing fresh eggplants

Storage at the summer cottage

To keep eggplants fresh, they are placed in cellars, cellars, or even left on the site. And the late varieties after harvesting can be left directly on the site. Take into account the weather conditions and remove them before the first frost. Frost can ruin the fruit.

How to properly store eggplants on the site:

1. Place the fruit in the shade. In the sun, the harmful substance solanine is formed in them. In addition, direct sunlight promotes the evaporation of moisture from the vegetable.
2. Before the onset of cold weather or a drop in temperature, vegetables are covered with straw for insulation.

This way of keeping fresh eggplant is not popular. There are risks of damage to fruits from external factors, but the method does not require special premises. Before eating, the fruits after such storage are recommended to be thoroughly washed.

Storage in polyethylene

This method also does not require special costs. Place the fruit in plastic bags or bags and leave in a cool place.

It is not recommended to store eggplants in the refrigerator: there they begin to deteriorate after 2 weeks. This is handy, though, if the eggplants are being stored for quick processing.

Basement or other storage

When there are a lot of fruits, the question arises of how to preserve vegetables without significant losses. For this, cellars or cellars are suitable. A balcony is suitable only if the temperature and humidity indicators are optimal on it.

Cellar preparation

Isolate the cellar from groundwater, insulate, provide ventilation. The temperature must be at least 7 ° C. Remove leftovers from the previous crop before placing a new batch.

Fruit preparation

Select the eggplants to be placed in the cellar.

Requirements for the appearance of the fruit:

1. Young, deep deep purple color.
2. The skin should be smooth, firm and shiny.
3. The petioles or fruits should be free of damage and mold.
4. After pressing, there should be no dents on the peel. If they are, this is an overripe fruit and is not suitable for storage.
5. The weight of the fruit should be impressive.

Store the eggplants with the stalk. It is not necessary to wash them before placing them in the cellar or basement, just wipe them off with a clean dry cloth from dust and dirt.

Don't rip off the stem

Storage methods

In boxes

This method requires deep wooden crates.

To store fresh eggplants in a box, you need to prepare them:

• each vegetable is individually wrapped in cling film or plastic bag;
• in this form, they are folded into a dry wooden box;
• boxes must be placed on dry supports.

The fruits are also wrapped in wax paper.The fruits should also be packed one at a time and placed in one layer in a box. It is also possible to store eggplants in boxes if they are covered with wood ash.

On the floor

Vegetables can be kept on the floor in a basement or cellar if they are laid out on a thick layer of straw. This procedure consists of the following stages:

1. At the first stage, eggplants are laid out on straw so that they lie down for 2 weeks.
2. At the second stage, the best fruits are selected, and the already sluggish or rotten ones are recycled or thrown away.
3. In the third stage, the good fruits are wrapped in waxed paper one at a time and laid out on a thick layer of straw, covered with burlap and again covered with a layer of straw.

This method of storing eggplants is suitable if you have a basement or cellar. Only the basement should not be damp, otherwise the fruits will rot.

Conclusion

In everyday life, vegetables are stored using conservation, freezing, and drying. But to store fresh eggplant, you need to prepare special conditions. In the basement or cellar, eggplants are stored in boxes on the floor in straw. Some leave the vegetables in the area under the straw until winter. But you should not keep the fruits in the refrigerator.