Rules and methods for successfully storing watermelons for the winter. How long can you keep a whole and cut watermelon in the refrigerator

Watermelon is a symbol of summer. Juicy fruits perfectly quench thirst, and it is in this season that they are easy to find.

It is not easy to save watermelons for several months, not spoiled, retaining all the useful things that they contain, and not losing their taste.

But knowing all the features of storing these giant berries, and during the winter holidays, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to the delicacy familiar to the summer table.

Which watermelons can be stored for a long time?

Before you decide how to store watermelons at home, you need to choose the right ones.

The fruit should be of medium size, whole and firm: without cracks, cuts, dents, marks of blows and sunburn, and its surface is smooth and even. The thicker the rind of the watermelon, the better. It will more reliably protect the pulp from external influences.

If the watermelon is purchased for storage, it is important to know its variety and harvest time. Later varieties are preferable, for example, Kholodok, Peasant, Lezhky. And it is better to buy berries at the end of September. By autumn, the fruits ripen on their own, without the help of chemicals, which means they have less nitrates.

If you plan to save watermelons grown on your own, you need to be especially careful when picking them up, wearing gloves, without damaging the surface of the berries. You need to fold on a clean soft cloth or other surface that allows you to "breathe" and so that the fruits do not touch each other.

Properly selected watermelons as a whole, under favorable conditions, can be stored from 1 to 5 months.

Where to store watermelons?

To save watermelons at home, you need to take care of where to place them. Both in an apartment and in a private house there is an opportunity to keep a summer delicacy until winter. The main thing - at the location of the fruit should be:

Good air circulation

Constant temperature not higher than 6 and not lower than 1 degree Celsius

Humidity within 60-80% Protection from light

In an apartment for storing berries fit: bathroom, pantry, room where there is no lighting and it is always cool, mezzanine, balcony or loggia, if there is no temperature below zero.

In the case of a private house storing watermelons is possible in more places, since you can not be limited to the residential part of the house. The necessary conditions can be created in the attic, in the garage, in the basement, in the summer kitchen or on the veranda.

What are the ways to store watermelons?

Fans of these juicy giant berries have come up with many ways in which there is a chance to keep watermelons until spring. Here are a few of them:

1. Hang in the net fruits wrapped with natural cloth or non-woven cloth

2. Spread the surface of the berries with a thick solution of clay, paraffin or wax with a layer 1 centimeter thick. Such a shell will protect the fruit from external excess moisture, that is, it will prevent the formation of mold, and preserve its juiciness.

3. Place the watermelons stalk down in boxes filled with sand, wood ash or dry grain. Thus, the conditions of the soil in which the berries are grown are imitated.

4. Surround the fruits on all sides with straw, the space between the watermelons must also be filled. Straw will prevent fruit contact with a hard surface and protect the crust from damage, plus it will collect excess moisture.

5. Put the berries on the sphagnum swamp moss, after drying it. It perfectly absorbs excess moisture, does not damage the surface of the fruit and has a disinfecting effect, preventing the development of all kinds of fungi and bacteria.

What else do you need to know to save watermelons?

Having chosen a convenient option for storing watermelons at home, providing the necessary temperature and humidity level, you need to know a number of nuances.

Throughout the shelf life, watermelons need to be turned over periodically.

These huge berries are often of considerable weight, plus the flesh has a tender texture. A fetus that has lain in one position for several months is likely to begin some kind of deformation that will adversely affect the safety of the watermelon.

It is important to minimize all fruit contact with any hard surfaces, including each other.

A watermelon placed in a large closed metal container (pot, bucket, covered with a lid), and left in the dark, does not need to be refrigerated. This method of storage is similar to the stay of berries in the cellar. Do not store watermelons close to other vegetables, especially potatoes. If possible, it is recommended to allocate a separate room. Absolute darkness is just as important as temperature and humidity when storing watermelons.

Before placing the fruits in a prepared place, you need to wash and dry them. So less likely to multiply harmful microorganisms on the surface of the berries.

Watermelons left for storage should be checked regularly so that one accidentally spoiled fruit does not harm the rest.

Storing watermelons at home for a long time is troublesome work. But the time and effort spent is worth it. In the cold winter season, greetings from summer in the form of a fresh juicy sweet piece of ripe watermelon will come in handy.

A cut watermelon will spoil quickly, but if you store it properly, you can enjoy a delicious berry for more than one day. Proper storage helps to preserve the beneficial properties of the fetus.

By consuming watermelon, a person not only enjoys the sweet pulp, but also receives certain benefits. The berry contains fructose and glucose (easily digestible sugars), organic acids, pectins, folic acid, fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins C and group B. Doctors recommend watermelon to patients with diabetes, with pathologies of the kidneys, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract.

Research shows that watermelon:

• promotes the excretion of cholesterol;
• improves the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract;
• excellent diuretic and choleretic agent;
• promotes the removal of stones from the kidneys and gallbladder;
• is a good product for obese patients;
• fruit seeds remove worms.

How to choose a fruit for long-term storage

To save watermelon for a long time, you need to choose the right fruits. Not every berry is able to remain fresh and tasty during long-term storage. In order for the taste and aroma of watermelon to please as long as possible, it is necessary to choose the fruit according to certain rules.

1. For long-term storage choose fruits no more than 4 kg.
2. The skin of the watermelon should be shiny.
3. The surface of the fruit must not be damaged (cracks, dents, etc.).
4. In order for the watermelon to be stored longer, choose a berry of late varieties and fully ripe. The most suitable time is the end of September.
5. Do not buy watermelons in open-air outlets (the fruits overripe under the influence of the sun).
6. Stores often sell unripe fruits, which spoil faster than mature watermelons.
7. The place on the watermelon that was in contact with the ground should be yellowish in color.
8. There should be white streaks from the center of the fruit to its rind. If they are yellow, this is evidence that the watermelon is either overripe or treated with chemicals.
9. You should ask about the name of the variety of watermelons. Astrakhansky and Popovka are considered the most enduring.
10. Seedless varieties last longer.

Ways to store watermelons

Watermelons purchased correctly. Now is the time to think about storing them. There are several ways to store watermelons for a long time:

• storage of whole fruits;
• freezing;
• salting and sourdough;
• conservation.

If the watermelon will be kept whole, it must be washed, wiped dry and placed in a textile bag or net. It is recommended to store whole fruits in a suspended state in a room with a humidity level of 60-80%. You can also keep watermelons on shelves or in boxes on dry bedding, as well as in straw, wood shavings, water, wax, clay, ash, and sand. The optimum temperature is +6 +8 degrees. From time to time, it is worth checking watermelons for rot, as it can spread to healthy fruits. It is best to store berries in the basement or cellar, in a city apartment you can pick up a cool dark place (pantry, insulated balcony, mezzanine, room). Under these conditions, the average shelf life is 3 months.

Salted or pickled watermelons, depending on the quantity, are kept in a tub in the cellar or in a jar in the refrigerator. Modern housewives also use plastic utensils. These methods involve adding salt and spices to watermelons. It is possible to salt or ferment watermelons if a not entirely successful fruit is purchased - unripe or unsweetened. Piquant watermelons are used as an independent dish or as an ingredient for salads. Pickles from watermelons are stored until spring. The only condition is that the container with berries must be hermetically sealed. You can salt both the pulp and the whole fruit. The pulp of watermelons is preserved, like any compote, by adding citric acid, vinegar or aspirin to the jars. Shelf life - a maximum of one and a half years.

In addition to canning, pickling, and storing watermelons whole, there is another long-term way to store watermelon pulp - freezing. There are also some simple rules here.

Neatly chopped flesh (no skin) can be stored in a tightly closed plastic container or in an airtight plastic bag. At least a centimeter of free space must be left in the container so that the growing watermelon has room for growth. The container must be vacuum, so as not to let in extraneous odors and moisture. Thus, you can store watermelon until the next season. Frozen watermelons are used not only for food, but also for cosmetic purposes.

Storing cut watermelons

To eat a watermelon right away, you need a big company. It is not always possible to buy a small fruit, so the problem of storing a cut berry arises. To maximize the shelf life of watermelon cut in the refrigerator, you need to know a few secrets.

• After eating, cut watermelon should be put in the refrigerator immediately. When it is hot, fermentation processes begin in the pulp within an hour.

• The refrigerator can replace the subfloor (cellar) if the temperature in it does not exceed 8 degrees Celsius.

• Cut watermelon retains its taste qualities for no longer than two days. Even if the berry does not turn sour, its taste will not be the same.

• There should not be fragrant foods near the watermelon. The flesh is immediately saturated with a foreign smell.
• You can use cling film, but so that it does not come into contact with the pulp. It is better to wrap the watermelon along with the plate, placing it cut side down.

• In the subfield, you can store watermelon in a basin, bucket, saucepan, or other container. Storing the berry cut side down prevents the fruit from drying out.

Another way to store in the refrigerator is to place the pulp of watermelon in a vacuum plastic container. It is advisable if the watermelon was previously cut.

It is worth consuming a cut watermelon throughout the day. Otherwise, in the refrigerator, it will become watery and tasteless, but still usable. The oxidation process begins after 2-3 days of storage in the refrigerator.

How long does a watermelon keep? The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous, since too many factors affect the lifespan of this wonderful berry. In order to enjoy a juicy and fragrant fruit from the heart, you first need to be able to choose it correctly, and long-term storage of watermelon does require some knowledge and conditions.

Experienced melon growers are probably able to determine within a few seconds what is in front of them: a ripe sweet berry or an unripe, and even worse, an inedible fruit pumped up with nitrates.

People far from gardening most often buy a watermelon almost at random, like a lottery ticket. Not surprisingly, disappointments in such cases are not uncommon. It is especially disappointing when you want to pamper your child or guests with a wonderful fruit and berry dessert, and on the dish there is an unsweetened, almost tasteless and unappetizing watermelon. In order not to get into such a situation, the choice should be approached thoroughly and slowly. So, what to be guided by when buying?

Point of sale selection

First of all, you need to understand where you can, and where you definitely shouldn’t make a purchase:

1. Roadside improvised stalls, where the fruits lie in a green pile on top of each other, and often even without a canopy, right under the scorching sun, it is better to bypass. Watermelons very quickly absorb toxic substances that enter the air with the exhaust gases of passing cars, which not only impairs the taste, but simply makes them unhealthy. And exposure to sunlight can lead to damage to the fetus in just a couple of hours.

Caution: in no case should you buy cut or opened fruits to demonstrate “ripeness”; there is a high probability of food poisoning after eating them.

1. Supermarkets, especially large chains, inspire more confidence, but, unfortunately, not all of them and not always can boast of the excellent quality of fruits, vegetables and berries, since such outlets usually make very large purchases of goods that often spend a long time in warehouses . For this reason, no one can guarantee the ripeness of watermelons lying on the shelves of large stores. It all depends on the specific batch, the timing of its delivery from the field and the quality of the choice of the supplier.

Important: these berries do not have the ability to ripen after harvesting from the garden; Sadly, they don't get better.

Equipped markets are considered the most suitable place to buy watermelon, where there is full control over the quality of the product that reaches the consumer. However, even in such a place, you can and should ask the seller for a certificate for his products.

It's good when the watermelons on the market counter lie in one row, without touching each other, and on a special soft bedding. This suggests that trade is carried out by a person who knows firsthand about the conditions necessary to preserve the quality of melons.

When does watermelon season start?

No one is surprised when in the middle of summer in all districts of the city tents grow like mushrooms after rain, in the depths of which mountains of watermelons await their customers. Meanwhile, buying a good, ripe watermelon in July is an almost impossible task, since the fruits begin to ripen only in August. Accordingly, in the second half of the last summer month, it is time to treat yourself and loved ones to ripe and sweet watermelons.

Varieties for Better Storage

Not every watermelon can lie without spoiling for a long time, therefore, when puzzling over how to store watermelons until the New Year, it is important to know what kind of variety you have grown or met on the counter. Early ripe varieties are only suitable for immediate consumption, they cannot be stored for a long time. The shelf life of late-ripening watermelons can reach several months if care is taken to create the right conditions. The latest varieties are:

• Astrakhan striped,
• Astrakhan marble,
• Popovka,
• Melitopol 143,
• Bykovsky 15,
• Lezhky,
• Chill (can be stored up to 5 months),
• Peasant,
• Excellent black.

A yellow spot from contact with the soil is one of the signs of ripeness

We define quality

Long-term storage of watermelons is possible only for ideal specimens. Selection criteria:

1. The absence of even the slightest damage to the crust: there should be no dents, no scratches, no cracks, since all this will lead to the rapid decay of the fetus.
2. Too heavy specimens will not last long. It is best to keep berries weighing no more than 4-5 kg.
3. Watermelon can be stored for a long time if it is really ripe. A berry that has not had time to ripen will become unusable very quickly.

Visual inspection of the fetus does not present any difficulties, but it can be difficult to determine whether it is ripe or not. Nevertheless, it is possible even for those who are not too sophisticated in this matter. To help - instructions.

How to choose a ripe watermelon?

1. Pay attention to the condition of his tail: it is correct if it is dry. However, the tail may well dry out during storage, so the halo around it should also be dry.

2. A ripe fruit cannot but have a small stain from contact with the soil. The yellow color of the spot is a good sign, but the white one indicates the presence of a high content of nitrates in the berry.

3. The peel of a ripe specimen is so strong that it will be very difficult to pierce it with a fingernail, and when rubbed, it does not exude a grassy aroma.

4. Glossy, shiny surface indicates that the berry is ripe, and haze warns of the presence of harmful chemicals.

5. You need to listen: when tapped, the ripe fruit makes a dull resonating sound, and when squeezed, it crackles slightly. A ripe watermelon cannot “ring”.

Subtleties that not everyone knows about: if there is a halo on the opposite side of the tail, which is larger in diameter, such a berry is “the fair sex”, and it is much sweeter than the others, and there are much fewer seeds in it. And of two fruits of equal size, it would be right to give preference to the lighter one: it is really ripe!

With all of the above in mind, everyone will be able to choose a great ripe watermelon with a high percentage of probability. Having made a successful purchase a couple of times, you can safely stock up and store watermelons for the winter. It is better to do this at the end of September, then the chance to treat yourself to a summer dessert at the New Year's table will be maximum.

Conditions for the preservation of fruits

Storage of watermelon requires compliance with several conditions:

1. The temperature should not exceed +10 degrees. The optimal mode is from +1 to +4 degrees Celsius. When the air is too warm, the pulp simply peroxides, and when it is negative, it turns into ice.
2. The berry must be isolated from any light, and first of all, of course, from the sun. Under its influence, the life of the fetus is significantly shortened.
3. The humidity in the storage room should be approximately 80% (+/-5%). If the storage is too dry, the watermelon will wither, and in an excessively humid environment, it will rot.

There are several ways and suitable storage locations for these amazing berries.

refrigerators compartment

When it comes to how to keep a watermelon for immediate consumption for a couple of days, the best option at home will be a refrigerator, because it allows you to easily regulate and maintain the desired temperature, does not let in light and does not dry out food.

It happens that even with joint efforts it is not possible to finish off a huge berry in one sitting, then you have to store a cut watermelon in the refrigerator. Here, too, you need to take into account some nuances:

• on the third day, the once fragrant and sweet pulp loses its characteristic taste, and it is no longer interesting to eat it; besides, the watermelon just starts to spoil;
• many wrap the berry with cling film so that its flesh does not dry out, but this is only correct if you turn the watermelon cut side down on a wide plate and wrap both the fruit and the dishes with the film;
• before storing a watermelon in the refrigerator, even uncut, it is important to make sure that no odorous products are observed in the neighborhood; the fact is that even through the peel, the berry absorbs all the flavors very intensively, for example, smoked sausage or fish.

Balcony

On a balcony or loggia, if they are protected from sunlight, you can store a whole watermelon even in summer, but not for long, a maximum of a week. But an opened watermelon will “behave badly” if it is too warm outside. Another thing is late autumn, when the thermometer does not rise above +5–7 degrees, and the sun no longer bakes. At this time, the cut fruit will remain on the loggia for a day or two, and whole berries at this temperature may well last until the New Year's feast.

Cellar storage methods

Keeping watermelons in the cellar is very simple and convenient. However, in winter, the basement or underground is just an ideal storage for other supplies that have no place in the apartment. Therefore, this option has its own difficulties: storing watermelons in the cellar involves isolating them from other fresh vegetables and fruits, since such a neighborhood can significantly accelerate the deterioration of the former. Well, if the cellar is not one room, or at least has a partition.

Storage options for watermelons:

1. Hanging. The fruit is taken, wrapped in a soft natural cloth or several layers of clean paper, and placed in a wicker string bag, which is suspended from the ceiling. In this form, watermelon can be stored for up to six months, if we are talking about the lightest varieties.
2. On wide shelves covered with straw or other soft natural material (moss, peat, pine needles).
3. In ashes or sand. At the bottom of a wooden box, the selected filler is poured, watermelons are laid out and completely covered.
4. Moss growing in swamps has excellent bactericidal properties, and therefore is excellent for storing fruits that are surrounded by it, covering the entire surface.
5. You can “pack” each berry in a protective suit made of wax, alabaster, clay or paraffin. To do this, you just need to coat the watermelons with a liquid substance and wait until it dries. Then it will be very easy to cut it and remove it.
6. In a tub or barrel of water - another possible option for "underground" storage of watermelons. Of course, the water should be cold, and it should be changed at least once a month.

If there is a subfloor in a private house, then even a cut fruit does not have to be stored in the refrigerator. Put cut side down in a deep, clean bowl, cover with a wide dish and put in the cellar - quite a possible option.

Portion freezing is one of the ways to save for the New Year holidays

Conditions and shelf life in the cellar

In general, all the methods listed above are good and allow you to save sunny fruits not for one day, but for several months in advance, up to February, but again, given some conditions:

• the room should be well ventilated;
• before laying the berries for storage, they should be kept in straw for a couple of days, and then treated with a 2% solution of lime to prevent damage to the stock by mold or rot;
• treat the storage with special means against fungi and microbes;
• maintain the correct level of humidity and temperature;
• when storing berries, it is important to ensure that they do not touch each other;
• a couple of times a month it is necessary to inspect the stocks, removing the specimens that have begun to deteriorate and turning those that are in perfect order from side to side.

On site, in the ground

Some manage to store watermelons in the ground. For this purpose, a deep pit is dug, the bottom of which is lined with straw (the layer thickness is about 10 cm), then the fruits pre-treated with lime (2% solution) are laid, the space between the berries is filled with shavings, they also cover the stock from above and cover everything with earth. The layer of earth is about 30 cm.

What to do if there is no underground or balcony?

Is it possible to store watermelons in the apartment for as long as in the cellar or on the balcony? Perhaps the answer is obvious. Even if you place the berries in a relatively cool pantry, they will not last that long.

Some apartments have small niches located under the kitchen window, which turn into refrigerators with the onset of the first cold weather, but even there long-term storage of watermelons seems unlikely, both humidity and temperature are very unstable.

Freeze

It is better to freeze watermelons in portioned pieces. Better yet, make a semi-finished product out of them by planting each slice on a wooden stick and rolling the juicy pulp in powdered sugar. On the baking sheet, the blanks must be sent to the freezer, and when they turn into ice cream, put the berry ice in plastic containers, not forgetting to layer it with parchment paper.

Such figurines can serve as a wonderful decoration for fruit salads or interesting cocktails.

Preservation of fruits for a long winter period is a pressing problem in our latitudes, we recommend that you also read the article on bananas to find out other subtleties that are in many ways similar to the preservation of other fruits.

Storing watermelon with alabaster. Video

Salting watermelon for the winter. Video

A rich harvest of melons for a summer resident is a good reason for joy and pride, as well as a circumstance that makes you think about how to save watermelons for the winter. If the neighbors of watermelons in the garden are easily stored even at home, then the green and striped giants are more demanding.

With a competent approach and attention to the fruits, you can save a watermelon until the New Year. But in order for a fresh summer delicacy to appear on the festive table in the middle of winter, you will have to prepare in advance.

True, in order for the watermelon to turn out to be juicy and sweet even in winter, the fruits are laid in cellars, where it is important to provide temperature and humidity conditions, allocate enough space for watermelons, and even during storage, pay some attention to giant berries.

Temperature and humidity for storing watermelon

The best conditions for storing watermelons for the winter can be created in the basement. Here, at a temperature of 1-4 ° C and a humidity of 75 to 85%, watermelons do not lose their juiciness or taste.

• If the temperature background is higher, the consistency of the watermelon changes, the fermentation process can begin inside it, and the quality of the berry will be irretrievably lost. At temperatures below zero, watermelons freeze slightly.
• Similarly, with a decrease in humidity, watermelons lose their juiciness, but if the air in the basement is too damp, the fruits rot.

Premises where watermelons and other vegetables and fruits are stored must be equipped with ventilation.

Selection of watermelons for long-term storage

How long can fresh watermelon be stored?

Usually, while maintaining the proper temperature and humidity, melons do not lose their properties for up to three months.

If early-ripening varieties and hybrids are more often chosen for consumption in summer, then it is better to plant late-ripening varieties for winter planting. After all, the later the watermelon is laid in the basement, the longer the shelf life is.

An example of such late-ripening watermelons is the variety Lezhky, Peasant or Excellent Black. How long can watermelon of these varieties be stored? The leader in terms of ability to be stored after being removed from the lash is the watermelon of the Kholodok variety, which does not lose quality for up to 5 months. It is important to choose the strongest, even and healthy fruits of medium size and regular shape.

Watermelon peel is the only protection for juicy pulp, therefore, if you want to keep a watermelon until the New Year, its integrity and quality should be treated with maximum attention. If there are scratches, impact marks, dents or other defects on the surface layer, such watermelons are rejected. They must be eaten without delay or sent for processing.

It is better to remove watermelons from the garden with gloves, and carefully place the berries removed from the whip on a soft, clean surface, leaving a small free space between the individual fruits.

Only healthy watermelons will last until the New Year and delight family members with such a familiar, summery taste.

How to keep watermelon fresh for the winter?

In the basement, watermelons are stored on racks and in vegetable boxes, using a variety of fillers to prevent the development of putrefactive bacteria and fungi, as well as to absorb excess moisture. The most accessible material for filling the box is dry sand, on a layer of which watermelons are carefully laid out. Then the sand is poured, filling the space between the fruits.

The same technique is used if it is planned to store watermelons for the winter in a layer of wood ash. The main thing, in this case, is to check in advance that there are no large fractions in the filler, for example, unburned wood chips or sharp pieces of coal that can damage the watermelon bark.

Better than other materials with moisture and harmful flora, dry marsh moss sphagnum fights.

It has a natural bactericidal power and good absorbency, is soft and safe for fruits, and it is not difficult to keep a watermelon for the winter in such an environment. Watermelons are laid on a layer of moss and they also compact the distance between the berries.

A good effect is obtained by treating the surface of the watermelon with a mushy solution of clay or alabaster, wax or paraffin. Protective substances are applied to the watermelon bark so as to obtain a layer up to a centimeter thick. Coatings that do not allow air, light and moisture to pass through help protect the watermelon from external influences and from the loss of its own moisture.

Under such conditions, watermelons will be preserved until the New Year, however, it would be useful to play it safe and check the quality of the fruit from time to time in order to notice the onset of spoilage in time and remove the low-quality berry.

Storing watermelons at home

And how long is a watermelon stored in an ordinary apartment? Thick-skinned, ripe fruits wrapped in light-tight material or wrapping paper can also be stored in the apartment. Away from heating appliances and with regular turning, a watermelon can lie for about a month, and then it is still better to eat a sweet fruit.

If the summer resident is lucky to grow large sweet watermelons, sooner or later he will have to face the problem of storing these delicious fruits. It’s good if a whole watermelon in the basement survives until the middle of winter, but sometimes even if all the rules are followed, the fruits have to be culled and sent to the table.

At the same time, the question often arises, how long can cut watermelon be stored in the refrigerator? Unfortunately, pathogens develop so quickly on the sweet pulp that a watermelon in the refrigerator remains safe for no more than a day. What to do with still high-quality fruits? How to save a watermelon for the winter, and what can be prepared for the future from the pulp of this healthy fruit?

Is it possible to freeze watermelon for the winter?

Although, as a result of exposure to low temperatures, the juicy pulp of a watermelon loses its consistency and becomes liquid after thawing, it is possible to freeze a watermelon for the winter. It is possible to minimize the damage caused by frost to the pulp of watermelon if the pieces of arbitrary shape, cleared of seeds and peels, are laid out on a flat tray and placed in the freezer. Thanks to the comprehensive effect of cold, watermelon will freeze as quickly as possible, retain its shape, aroma and taste, as well as juiciness. Pieces of frozen watermelon, along with cherries, currants, raspberries, will be an excellent addition to nutrition in the winter.

Frozen pieces are placed in resealable bags or containers. In this form, you can keep the watermelon until the New Year and until the next harvest, and use it for making desserts, cocktails, fruit creams and juices. It is even easier to freeze watermelon juice with pulp. If you use portion molds, such juice can turn into a refreshing and healthy ice cream, ice cubes for cocktails or beauty treatments.

There are other ways that allow you to save watermelons for the winter without much time and effort and impress family members and guests with original delicacies:

• The watermelon is thoroughly washed and, together with the bark, cut into portioned triangular slices.
• An ice cream stick is inserted into the slices through an incision on a dense peel.
• The pulp is dipped on both sides in powdered sugar.
• The watermelon slices are laid out on a baking sheet so that the pieces do not touch each other.
• The tray is placed in the freezer, where it is left until the product is completely frozen.
• Ready ice cream, shifting with pieces of parchment, is placed in containers and stored at a temperature not exceeding -18 ° C.

This delicacy is served frozen. If, for the preparation of culinary dishes, you need to thaw pieces of watermelon, it is better to do this in the refrigerator, at a temperature close to 0 ° C.

How to save watermelon - video

Desserts and other sweet dishes made with watermelon during the cold season are a dream of many people. Many housewives are interested in how to store watermelons for several weeks or months.

Knowing certain nuances, there is a good chance to take advantage of the corresponding offer of nature.

Before you gain valuable experience and put it into practice, you should find out the rules and the best places for one of the most delicious and largest berries.

What varieties can be stored for a long time?

Late-ripening varieties are stored longer, so it is advisable to choose them for the upcoming three winter months. The ideal fruit has a thick dense skin.

The following varieties deserve special attention:

• Volzhsky;
• Dessert;
• Astrakhan striped;
• Kholodov's gift;
• Pulse;
• Bykovsky.

Regardless of the variety chosen, it is not recommended to buy fruits designed for long storage in early August. For successful storage of watermelons at home or in the attic of private housing , it is recommended to think about the upcoming purchase only in mid-September - early October. In this scenario, the fetus should be stored less at home, which simplifies the task.

• cracks;
• dents;
• skin damage.

It is better to choose an unripe berry than an overripe one. A light tap on the rind is required to check for optimum maturity. A loud sound is desirable.

The sweeter fruits never weigh too much, so they have a way of retaining a pleasant taste for a long time.

Storing watermelons at home

Interested in where a tasty and fairly ripe watermelon can be stored, it is advisable to carefully study the 7 most recommended ways.

1. Keeping fruit in moss. To do this, use forest moss collected in dry weather (collected moss should not be wet). After that, it is desirable to lay out the moss in a thick layer on the bottom of the container used. Then a watermelon is laid, which is lined with moss on each side. The optimum temperature regime is not lower than +2 - 3 degrees Celsius.
2. Ash use. It is recommended to pour a small amount of ash into a small box. A watermelon is placed in this container, which is carefully covered with ashes on top. The box is tightly closed, after which it is placed in the cellar.
3. To store delicious fruits, high-quality clay is often used, which is slightly diluted with purified water to a sufficiently thick, but at the same time, smooth consistency in order to spread the watermelon skin. This mixture is smeared with watermelon, waiting until it is completely dry. It is allowed to store such a fruit only in a cold room.
4. Watermelons are hung for storage using natural material with a string bag.
5. Many housewives store watermelons in straw. At the same time, the stored fruit must be carefully wrapped in straw and kept at a temperature of +1 to +5 degrees Celsius. To prevent undesirable situations, it is recommended to carry out inspections and remove spoiled copies.
6. Watermelons can be preserved in wax or paraffin. The selected material carefully covers the fruit, remembering that the thickness of the applied layer should not exceed one centimeter.
7. Interested in how to properly store watermelon, it is important to pay attention to the following nuance: storage at home is allowed. The basic rule is to use a dark and cool room without the slightest access to light. Without fail, the fruits are turned over every day, since at the slightest deformation it is recommended to remove objectionable specimens.

How long can watermelon be stored

The duration of storage can be from a couple of days to several months and six months. It all depends on the condition of the fruit (cut berries deteriorate faster) and the method chosen, as well as possible additional processing.

How and how long can a whole watermelon be stored

Uncut fruit always keeps longer. Properly created conditions allow a delicious watermelon to be stored for several months.

If you observe the optimal temperature regime and sufficient humidity, unnecessary risks for the most delicious berries are completely eliminated.

How and how much to store cut watermelon

The situation is completely different if the cutting of the treat has already taken place. So, is it possible to save a watermelon in a similar situation?

Can! The ideal option is a day. However, if the temperature allows, it is allowed to increase the initial period to 2 - 3 days, since after this period the pulp begins to actively become infected with bacteria.

If you leave a watermelon on the table for an hour on a hot summer day, there is a serious risk of poisoning. This is due to the rapid breeding of bacteria. Any berry, after it has been cut, must be kept cool.

It is important to understand that by the end of the second day, the cut watermelon will begin to actively lose its pleasant taste and beneficial properties. If you want to keep the taste and aroma as long as possible, watermelons are often set aside further from other products.

Storage at home

Storage rules

First of all, you need to know the rules that will help you store watermelons until the new year:

• fruits can not be placed right next to each other;
• it is desirable to make the surface softer (for this reason, even in the refrigerator it is recommended to lay a soft cloth made of natural materials);
• if many watermelons will be stored, it is advisable to place them at a small distance from each other or on different shelves;
• during storage, it is advisable to regularly turn the fruits over and carefully examine them, since only the best specimens will survive until winter.

At what temperature and humidity to store

What should be the temperature for storing watermelons? Recommended from +1 to +30 Celsius.

The optimum temperature tends to +1, since high rates will lead to the fact that the berry can only last a couple of days.

Humidity should be 70 - 85%, since at lower rates the fruit will begin to dry out rapidly.

How long can you store at room temperature

Good fruits can be stored for a long time. If you do not choose a summer variety, it is possible to preserve a tasty and fragrant natural delicacy for up to two to four months.

You need to understand that a warm environment and room temperature will not allow you to enjoy a delicious and fresh watermelon on the long-awaited winter holidays, so you should closely monitor the conditions for the stay of large and beloved berries.

How long can you keep in the fridge

Experts note that watermelon pulp can even be frozen. When wondering how long watermelon pulp can be stored, the answer is simple: a few months.

However, the consistency will be different, so the finished product is best used for making sweet desserts and unusual drinks.

Is it possible to freeze?

An interesting question for many housewives is whether it is possible to store watermelon in the refrigerator without losing its taste and aroma properties?

In some cases, you can improve the characteristics of the berry. In addition, at a constant negative temperature, the shelf life is 6 - 12 months.

The following freezing options are available:

• with syrup;
• with granulated sugar;
• with fructose;
• with juice.

How to keep fresh watermelon until the new year

Knowing how much a watermelon can please with a tasty and fragrant state from the beginning of autumn, it is important to think over the features of its storage.

Is it possible to save until the new year?

In most cases, watermelon is stored in the cellar, where you can create suitable conditions and successfully maintain them. If the fetus is in good and whole condition, the chances of a positive outcome increase. At the same time, other vegetables cannot be combined with watermelons.

Without fail, watermelons are regularly inspected, since it is advisable to throw out spoiled specimens. Even an ideal room regimen will not guarantee the preservation of all fruits.

How to save until winter

Most of the methods associated with storing watermelons in the attic of a private house allow you to save a summer treat for up to 3-4 months. Only in the attic can fruits be placed in limbo, treated with sand or straw, a thin layer of clay.

Many people who want to enjoy the gifts of summer nature decide to store watermelons in large barrels filled with cool, but not icy water. The fruit must be completely covered with it.

If you change the water to clean water 3 times a month and keep the water at the appropriate temperature, maintaining the desired filling level of the tank, the best result is guaranteed.

Other Ways to Preserve Watermelons for the Winter Months

The first option involves salting. To prepare the brine, ten liters of ordinary water and 0.5 kilograms of salt are used.

Crushed watermelon is placed at the bottom of the container, and then a few more. Even if the container allows you to put all the fruits in one row, a layer in the form of a crushed specimen is required, which is desirable to lay on the top.

After that, all the contents are poured with brine. The maximum allowable temperature is 5 degrees Celsius.

Watermelon is allowed to be used for the preparation of candied fruits, which are best obtained from the peels. The thick part of the watermelon is poured with cold water and boiled for about five minutes, after which the water can be drained and the pulled out crusts should dry.

Then they are treated with sugar syrup. For a kilogram of crusts, you need 2 cups of water with a kilogram of sugar. The procedure is carried out four times.

As a result, the watermelon rinds should become translucent. Then add citric acid and vanillin. Such candied fruits will be healthy and tasty.

On any winter day, it will be nice to enjoy the taste of summer presented in a preserved watermelon.