How to save watermelon before the New Year

Many watermelon lovers want to enjoy the taste of the fruit, not only in summer but also in winter.

In this article we will explain what needs to be done in order to feast on a berry during the winter period and by what means it is possible to preserve its taste.

Berry selection

In order for the shelf life of the fruit to be as long as possible and at the same time they retain their taste, it is very important to know which watermelon to choose for harvesting for the winter.

Appearance

When choosing fruits, be sure to pay attention to their appearance. They should not be damaged. Sunburn, cracks, scratches and dents make the fruit unsuitable for long-term storage.

The ideal weight of the berry should be 4-5 kg. Watermelon should be handled with care, not thrown, preserving its integrity. Otherwise, it will quickly disappear and cannot be stored.

Sort

Save the watermelon before the New Year is possible only if you choose the right grade. Excellent for storage only late-ripening varieties with thick peel. Acquire fruit for harvesting is recommended in late September. Usually they contain almost no nitrates, since by this time they are maturing without auxiliary substances. It is recommended to give preference to varieties with strong pulp, such as "Astrakhansky striped", "Dessert", "Gift of Kholodov", "Volzhsky".

The best conditions for long-term storage

In the winter, try a piece of sweet berries, reminiscent of summer days, you should know how to store watermelons until the New Year. It is very important that certain storage conditions of fruits are observed:

• the room should always be dark;
• necessary to provide constant ventilation;
• air temperature should be within + 6 ... +8 ° С. An increase in temperature contributes to a change in the consistency of the berry, which leads to fermentation processes. When the temperature drops below 0 ° C, the berries may freeze;
• relative humidity should be 60-80%. Reduced humidity leads to loss of juiciness of watermelon, and at elevated levels, fruits begin to rot.

The basement serves as an ideal storage space. By following simple rules, you can keep the fruit for a long time.

Storage of watermelon at home

"Sunny berry" can be stored not only in the house. Of course, living in an apartment, it will be more difficult, but still it is quite possible. Suitable places include:

• pantry;
• gazebo;
• the bathroom.

Living in a private house, you can store watermelons:

• in the cellar or basement;
• in the garage;
• in the attic;
• in the summer kitchen or a cold room, but the air temperature should not exceed +8 ° C.

There are many ways to store fruit. We suggest to get acquainted with the most common.

Moss

If you decide to choose this method, you first need to go to the forest to collect moss. It must be dry. You must cover the bottom of a wooden box or box with moss, put berries on it and cover it with moss on all sides. A box with a watermelon should be stored in a cellar or basement, the recommended air temperature is + 2-3 ° С.

Hanging

With this method, the fruit can be stored in a private house and apartment. First you need to wrap the berry in a dense natural fabric, then put it in a string bag and hang it on a hook. Watermelon should not touch any surfaces, that is, it must be completely suspended.

Ashes

This method is often used by people who heat the stove with firewood. Or you can buy it in specialized stores. Ash does not allow fungi and putrefactive bacteria to develop; it absorbs excess moisture. Sifted ash is poured on the bottom of the wooden box, then the berries are laid on it and sprinkled with ashes on top of it. The box or box should be covered with a lid and left in the cellar.

Straw

Straw is great for long term storage. The bottom of the box or box is worth a rather thick layer of straw. Then berries are laid on it in such a way that there is a distance between them, and the stalks look upwards. Between watermelons also spread straw, put it on top. It should completely cover the berries.

Wax or paraffin wax

It is necessary to melt the wax or paraffin and cover them with watermelon. The layer should be thick, about 1 cm.In this form, the berries are stored in a cool place, for example, in the basement or cellar.

Water

Very cold water is poured into a barrel or a wooden tank and a watermelon is dropped into it. It should be completely covered with water. The berries in the barrel are left in the basement.

Sand

A box or other container located in a basement or other cool place must be ½ filled with sand. Fruits are laid down on it with the stem. They should not be in contact with each other. Then the berries are completely covered with sand.

Clay

It is necessary to dilute the clay in water to the consistency of a thick paste. Then it is applied to the berry. After the clay dries, the watermelon should be covered with several more layers. Each layer should dry well. As a result, the clay layer should be about 0.5 cm. After it has completely dried, the fruits are left in a dark, cool room in a suspended state or laid out on sawdust.

Knowing how much watermelon is stored, you can start harvesting at a certain time in order to save it until the New Year. On average, subject to the rules and storage conditions, melons can be saved for 3-4 months.

Is it possible to freeze a watermelon for the winter

In the winter, I want so much to remember the summer and feel the sweet taste of the “sunny berry”. A lot of fans of these fruits are interested in the question: is it possible to freeze a watermelon?

Unfortunately, low temperatures adversely affect the juicy flesh, and it loses its consistency, becoming liquid. However, despite this, there are ways to freeze. Peeled off the seeds and peel pieces of watermelon must be laid out on a flat dish and sent to the freezer. Under the influence of cold, the shape of the fruits, their taste and juiciness will be preserved.

After freezing the pieces should be put in a container or package. During the New Year holidays, they can be used to make desserts or cocktails.

Frozen watermelon will be a great treat in the winter. For convenience, it should be immediately frozen, cut into portions. Thus, you can make the original watermelon ice cream, which will be a pleasant treat on the New Year's table.

Watermelon is a tasty and healthy berry that can be stored for a long time. Using our recommendations, you can enjoy its taste not only in summer, but also after the end of the season.