Practical tips on how to keep a watermelon until the New Year in a private house or apartment
Almost everyone loves to enjoy a sunny berry in summer and autumn. And how to keep a watermelon until the New Year in order to enjoy its exquisite taste in winter? Many only dream about it. In fact, there are 8 main ways to store a product at home. Having examined each of them, we can choose the most optimal option. However, first we find out which varieties are suitable for such a procedure. Then we will analyze the basic rules for storing fruits. And finally, we will analyze in detail how to preserve watermelon until the New Year without losing its unsurpassed taste.
In search of suitable varieties
The following options are suitable for the case:
- "Striped" (fruits are dark green, have distinct stripes);
- "Astrakhan" (spherical shape of berries, dense pulp);
- "Gift of the sun" (successfully grown in Siberia, the fruits are strong, small in size);
- "Volzhsky" (thick-skinned melon of dark green color);
- "Popovka" (distinguished by large seeds);
- "Chill" (spherical berries with scarlet pulp).
Practice shows that mid-season crop varieties are unsuitable for long-term storage. Despite the apparent strength, they quickly deteriorate.
Japanese breeders have developed the only watermelon in the world with a black rind.
Pay attention to the appearance of the fetus
When the melon variety is selected, they begin to inspect each berry. The peel should be completely intact, without growths, punctures with a uniform color. Those who know how to preserve watermelons until the new year are advised to take only thick-cut specimens with a small trace from lying on their side. Berry weight - no more than 5 kg.
The tail is of no small importance. Its dryness indicates full maturity of the watermelon in its natural environment. The absence of a tail eloquently indicates that the ripening process has ended in a supermarket or in a warehouse.
It is advisable to choose fruits in the middle of autumn, taking into account the main external signs.
The ripeness of the product is determined by light tapping. If a dull sound is heard, it means that the berry has a dense pulp and is ready for storage for future use. The fruits are transported in wooden boxes with fresh straw.
How to keep watermelons until the new year: basic principles
To get the perfect product, you need to follow the basic rules. Suitable storage should be:
- with good ventilation;
- without sunlight (completely dark);
- maximum temperature range up to + 8 ° C;
- humidity level within 80%.
Usually the premises are prepared in advance. In addition, they look for suitable containers, wooden boxes or spacious barrels. The structures are installed in easily accessible places so as not to transport watermelons once again. It is important to carry out the procedure for dehydration of the outer shell of the fetus. For this, watermelons are left in the fresh air, covered with foliage. During the day, excess liquid completely evaporates.
All manipulations with the berry are performed with soft fabric gloves.For example, they are regularly turned over. They also carefully inspect for minor damage, cracks or rotten areas. Summer residents practice various options on how to preserve watermelon until winter and enjoy its taste. Let's consider the most popular and available methods in our area.
Watermelons should not be stored in the same room as potatoes. Such a neighborhood accelerates the process of melon decay.
His majesty moss
Small unsightly greenery that grows on forest edges is an original natural insulation. In addition, it has antiseptic properties. The plant is ideal for storing watermelons until early January. Raw materials are harvested in autumn, when the weather is dry and warm. The collected material is lined in the yard on film and additionally warmed up in the sun. Store in a dry place until late autumn to be used for "packing" melons.
The bottom of the wooden boxes is carefully covered with "living" insulation. Then the watermelons are carefully placed. The resulting space is filled with a dried plant. Store wooden boxes in a dark room, periodically checking the quality of the fruit.
Hanging position is beneficial
For storing a small amount of melons and gourds in a city apartment, special nets are suitable. They put a watermelon inside, and then hang it by a hook. It turns out a miniature hammock in which the fruit "rests" until winter. It is conveniently placed on a balcony or insulated garage. If necessary, the product is wrapped in cotton or woolen cloth.
Watermelons in this position should not touch foreign objects.
The miraculous properties of wood ash
Observing nature, many notice how wisely she uses waste. Fallen leaves fertilize the soil, and dry trees are excellent fuel. In a similar way, ash protects the outer shell of the watermelon from harmful microbes.
A lot of ash is poured into a suitable container. Then make a deep funnel and place the melons. A solid layer of ash is poured on top so that the fruits are completely immersed in it. The containers are taken to the basement or closet where the temperature is kept constant.
Reliable "bed" of straw
The method is used when storing watermelons on racks or wooden boxes. Of course, straw is harvested in the summer, after the wheat harvest. She is kept in the attic, where it is dry and well ventilated. When the time comes, the material is laid on the shelves in a thick layer or the bottom of the boxes is insulated. Then watermelons are placed on the "soft" bed. The main thing is that the fruits are completely enveloped in wheat waste. They can stay in such a storage until the end of winter.
Comfortable paraffin shell
To create an original "sarcophagus" for watermelons, use beeswax or paraffin. The method is suitable for storing striped crops in an apartment. First, pieces of the substance are placed in a refractory container and heated to a liquid consistency. Then it is gently poured onto the prepared watermelon.
The result is a so-called carapace. It protects the berry:
- from possible temperature changes;
- excessive moisture;
- harmful microbes.
The product wonderfully retains its taste, moisture and aroma. It is successfully stored until the new year, serving as a vitamin dessert.
It's just water
This method requires a deep, wide container and cold water. It is installed in a cellar, where it is dark and the temperature is kept constant. Next, suitable fruits are immersed in liquid. Water is a reliable protection against external factors that lead to fruit spoilage.
Every one and a half weeks, the liquid must be changed to get the perfect product.
Classic sand storage
To prevent vegetables from losing moisture and attractive appearance, they were buried in dry sand. This was done with beets and carrots.Is it possible to keep a watermelon until the new year under such a "coverlet"? Practice has shown that this method has been used at home for a long time.
A spacious container is installed in the basement. Select suitable watermelons without external damage. Dry sand is poured at the bottom. A number of fruits are tamped and spread. Natural material is poured on top, completely covering the striped berries. In such storage, they retain their original freshness, taste and aroma. Even at low temperatures, the fruits do not freeze.
Primitive clay "amphorae"
No talent or creativity is needed to use the method. Everything is much simpler. Natural material is combined with water. Mix well to obtain a homogeneous mass of medium density. Choose thick-skinned watermelons. Then the resulting solution is abundantly applied to the surface of the berry. When the "amphora" hardens, they take it to a cool room. Before use, the product is immersed in a container of water and the clay is carefully removed.
We took a closer look at 8 popular ways to keep your watermelon cool. Various devices and materials are used for business. For example, in a net, a watermelon feels wonderful on the balcony before the onset of severe frosts. And in the sand, the fruit remains juicy and aromatic. Some will love the water option. Although you will have to work hard, periodically changing the fluid. For creative people, "modeling" from clay or wax is suitable. Flora lovers will probably take into account the properties of moss. In any case, preserving the striped berry until the new year is a very real goal.