Winter has come, and it’s time to think about the storage of vegetables at home. Of course, now in a supermarket you can buy any products at any time of year, nevertheless it is worth to decide how to store the yield grown in the fall. There are many storage options. For example, in the basement, in the garage, in the hall closet, on the balcony or in the refrigerator. But here we discuss how to store vegetables  just in a flat.

Let’s start with the basics that apply to all varieties of vegetables

• After purchase it is necessary to sort all the vegetables and get rid of moldy and rotten. Ripe and mashed ones it is better either consume food in the nearest time, or through out.
• It is important to sort the stocks from time to time during storage, getting rid of vegetables, covered with mold.
• It is better not to wash vegetables. So they are kept longer.
• Do not store together onions, potatoes, garlic and pumpkin. Since their smells have active migration. And it is desirable to place them away from other products.
• There are groups of vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers that produce ethylene – it is odorless and colorless gas. It promotes accelerated ripening and rotting of vegetables.
• There are also vegetables that absorb this gas. For example, carrots exposed to large amounts of ethylene becomes bitter. Therefore to store products of these groups together is not recommended. Although there is a belief that you can put near some eggs, and the problem will be solved.
• The storage temperature of different vegetables certainly differs. Each species we will discuss below.

How to store basic vegetables

Potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator. An ideal place – a dark and cool place in a flat (the temperature 5-10 degrees). One should remember that at a higher temperature in the flat potato will sprout out. The container for storage should be well ventilated. Suitable are boxes, mesh or cloth bag. Since potatoes during storage period allocate water, on top of the tubers can be put beets. In this way both vegetables will be suitable longer, since the latter will absorb excess moisture.

Beets can also be stored in the refrigerator or in a cool place at the balcony door in open plastic bag. And do not forget that the beets – is a very nice neighbor for potatoes (see above).

Tomatoes are well stored only at room temperature. Storage in a cool place will have a negative impact on their structure. After purchase each fruit should be packed in paper or napkin.

Carrots can be stored in the fridge in a container for vegetables, by pre-wrapping each with paper or putting in a plastic bag.

Red cabbage is perfectly preserved at room temperature, wrapped in paper.

Cabbage can be hung over the stalk anywhere in the apartment. It is not necessary to get rid of the upper leaves, as they will keep the cabbage fresh for a longer period.

Cauliflower and broccoli. For their storage it is better to choose refrigerator or freeze them deep.

Zucchini is stored for a long time – until spring. Ideal location – on the closet or under the bed. A white zucchini will be stored no more than three months.

Pumpkin can be stored in a dark place, for example, under the bed, for several months. Thick skinned ones – until the next harvest, and thin skinned – until the middle of the winter.

Sweet peppers can be stored at a temperature of 10-12 degrees  no more than two months. It is ideal to put it into a box, shifting layers with thick paper, but it is possible to store it in an open plastic bag. Also pepper can be put in a container for vegetables in the refrigerator. Under no storage conditions, pepper can be frozen for the winter.

Storage of eggplant, cucumbers and radishes

Eggplants are not stored for a long time. Maximum for one month. Therefore, the best solution is to freeze deeply it. If necessary, put it for storage in a dark cool place.

Cucumbers are well storaged at a temperature of 15 degrees. In addition, each vegetable must be wrapped in paper and store in an airtight container. If in the flat is not possible to achieve desired conditions, the cucumbers are kept in the refrigerator up to three days.

Radish you should put for storage in the refrigerator in a tightly closed plastic bag

How to store onions, garlic and other herbs

Dill and parsley are perfectly stored in a clean glass jar with a plastic cap. Such greens like spinach, celery, green onions, lettuce, parsley and dill put in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with holes for ventilation. They remain in that form for a month.

Bunching onion is stored perfectly in the refrigerator being wrapped tightly with plastic wrap (the greens shoud be dry). At a temperature 3 to 4 degrees it will remain fresh for several weeks.

Leek, packed in a plastic wrap, is good storedin the refrigerator or it can be put into the sand on a balcony at a temperature from 0 to 2 degrees.

Both onion and garlic are best kept in the grids at room temperature separately from one another. Small bulbs are stored longer.