When to cut broccoli
Growing broccoli involves harvesting on time. This is a very delicate process, as the most opportune moment can be missed, and the fruit will become unfit for human consumption. They should be neither unripe nor overripe. You must also be able to cut the broccoli properly. This affects the period of its preservation.
When to cut broccoli
Harvest time
In each region, the harvest time falls at different times. Depending on the cultivated variety, cabbage ripeness occurs 70-110 days from the emergence of seedlings. Broccoli can remain in the garden until frost. The mass of heads during this period on average reaches 400 g, their diameter is 20 cm. High palatability (juiciness and tenderness) is achieved when the heads of cabbage are poorly closed. You should not give the crop a few days for the vegetables to grow. Particular attention should be paid to harvesting fruits during the hot period. Late varieties ripen in the fall, when the temperature drops low, so it is worth making sure that the fruits do not freeze. One night of frost can ruin the entire crop.
In order not to miss the moment, the plantings are examined every 2-3 days, since the ripe inflorescence breaks up into separate ones and begins to bloom. It is better to cut off the heads earlier than late.
Determine the ripeness of the heads
- Dark green in most species, some may be snow-white, gray-gray, lemon, even purple. The main thing is that it matches the description of the color of the variety. During this period, the buds have not yet opened. Otherwise, the plant acquires a yellow color, loses its taste characteristics, and becomes unusable.
- Weight not less than 250 g, diameter not less than 10 cm.
- The buds on the crown are larger than on the sides - this means that the fruits are not overripe. But cabbage can consist of small inflorescences.
- Strong and dense, but not too hard - you can check this quality by squeezing them 1-2 times with your hands.
How to cut cabbage
You need to cut broccoli cabbage according to certain rules:
- Cut the cabbage early in the morning before the dew has melted. Then the heads are most juicy and will preserve freshness longer. If this is not possible, you must wait for the evening dew.
- You cannot cut the stem so as not to damage the whole bush. Take a sharp knife or garden pruner, and carefully make an oblique cut with it so as not to damage the leaves located below the stem.
- They begin to cut from the central stem, and then gradually move to the side ones.
- The stems are also cut off - they are juicy and eaten, they recede from the head by about 10 cm.
Once the heads have been harvested, you do not need to uproot or cut the broccoli bushes. After a certain period of time, they will yield more crops. In the axils of the remaining leaves, new heads will be tied, which need good care. They are not as big as the main ones, but they are not inferior in taste. Heads of cabbage are harvested as they grow back. Thus, harvesting broccoli is delayed for a long period.
How to store a vegetable
Do not keep fresh cabbage for a long time
Cabbage has a reputation for being naughty because it is difficult to keep fresh for long periods of time.
Once the broccoli has been cut, if stored properly, it retains its quality for only a few days. Then it turns into an inedible product. Healthy and unripe fruits will be stored longer. Early varieties are eaten immediately. Harvest vegetables of late types.
Fresh
After harvesting broccoli from the garden, it must be washed thoroughly, because pests and pollution get into the cabbage. The procedure is correctly carried out as follows:
- warm, but not hot water is poured into a large container;
- add a few teaspoons of vinegar;
- the heads are placed for 15 minutes;
- removed and washed with running water.
Soaking in such a solution contributes to the death of insects and the removal of debris. It is also worth cutting out damaged areas or areas with blackening. To prevent the development of mold, vegetables are dried well.
The next step is placing the broccoli in the refrigerator. The faster this is done, the longer the crunch and juiciness of the cabbage will last. Some gardeners recommend putting the heads of cabbage in the cold no later than half an hour later. They do the same when buying vegetables in a store.
Cold storage
You can store broccoli in the refrigerator at a temperature of 1-10 ° C in different ways:
- In the form of a bouquet - the head is placed with the stem down in a small container with water. Its level in the vessel should reach 1-1.5 cm so that the inflorescences do not come into contact with the liquid. You can pull a plastic bag on top of the vegetable, in which several holes are made to circulate air. The water needs to be changed every day. This method is quite effective, so the cabbage will stay fresh for 5-7 days.
- Wrapped in a damp paper towel, cold water is poured into a spray bottle and the inflorescences are sprayed. Then, not too tightly wrapped in a kitchen paper towel. It should absorb a little water. The vegetable must be provided with good air circulation, so it should not be placed in containers and other hermetically sealed vessels. Shelf life is 3 days.
- In a package - the method is suitable for housewives who do not have time to freeze in the first two ways. The main thing is to provide air access. For this, several holes are pierced in the bag. The humidity in the refrigerator must be at least 90%.
The longer the broccoli is kept, the less it tastes. There should be no other vegetables and fruits nearby, because many of them emit ethylene, which has a bad effect on the quality of the cabbage. It will start to rot and deteriorate. It is recommended to consume cabbage no later than 4 days after cutting.
Frozen
If there are a lot of heads and it is impossible to eat them all at once, you can place them in the freezer. Frozen broccoli can retain its quality for about a year.
To properly store cabbage in the freezer, you must first blanch it. The procedure is necessary because the culture contains enzymes and bacteria, which, when frozen, change the color, taste and texture of vegetables. And when exposed to high temperatures, they die. Then, when freezing, all useful qualities will be preserved. How to freeze cabbage:
- Prepare two pots with water: in one - ice liquid, in the second - boiling water.
- Using a knife or kitchen scissors, the head is divided into small inflorescences: 2.5-3 cm in diameter, the stem is 2.5-3 cm long. You can do it by hand. The dimensions should be small for the reason that when the vegetables are exposed to boiling water, the inside will not have time to boil.
- The inflorescences are thrown into boiling water for no more than 3 minutes. If digested, they become soft and tasteless. It is necessary to stir periodically so that the cabbage lends itself to blanching the same way.
- Then they discard the vegetables in a colander, allow hot water to drain and place in a second pan with ice liquid. Refrigerate for 3 minutes.
- Then the water is filtered and placed on a paper towel so that it absorbs the remaining moisture.
- Placed in special bags for freezing and release excess air. Glue the date sticker and place it in the freezer.
To prevent cabbage from losing its taste, it is necessary to keep it in a low-temperature compartment. Defrosting must not be allowed. Vacuum freezing agents can be used to extend the shelf life of the product.
Conclusion
Harvesting broccoli cabbage is a very difficult process, as it is important to complete it on time. A lost day can lead to a loss of crops, because overripe heads are not used in cooking. Cut heads should be placed in the cold as soon as possible. Late varieties are stored even in basements. The lower the temperature, the better the taste and texture of the vegetables are preserved.