How to store broccoli properly

Broccoli is one of the healthiest varieties of cabbage and contains record amounts of vitamins and minerals. However, keeping this product fresh is extremely problematic. Even in the refrigerator, a vegetable turns into a low-edible mass in just a few days. Let's take a look at how to properly store broccoli at home.

Keeping broccoli fresh

On average, a vegetable stays fresh and usable for 3-4 days. After the inflorescences darken, and the fork itself becomes soft and unattractive.

Reference! The shelf life is directly dependent on the environment: shelf life at room temperature and in the refrigerator varies greatly.

Cabbage is poorly stored at room temperature, as it does not tolerate heat. Under such conditions, the vegetable will begin to wilt after 2-3 hours. If there is no space in the refrigerator, broccoli is used as food or processed as quickly as possible.

It is easier to save the product in the refrigerator, but it is important to take into account some nuances. For example, it is not recommended to wash the inflorescences before storing them, as this will reduce the shelf life to 2 days. How much is stored broccoli in a refrigerator? In its raw form, the vegetable stays fresh for 5-7 days.

How to keep broccoli longer

Cabbage cannot stay fresh for long at room temperature, but there are some simple ways to keep your buds firm in the refrigerator.

In a refrigerator

The easiest option is to simply put the cabbage in the vegetable section. The stable low temperature of the chamber will keep the vegetable for 5-7 days.

Reference! It is extremely important to consider the "neighborhood" with other products. So, apples, tomatoes and carrots release ethylene, which negatively affects the health of broccoli.

To preserve cabbage longer, use one of the popular methods.

In a container with water

One of the easiest options is to make an impromptu cabbage bouquet.

Partially in the water, the vegetable will stay fresh for up to 9 days:

1. A little water is poured into a container of a suitable size (in a layer up to 2 cm).
2. Broccoli is placed so that the inflorescences are outside.
3. The forks are covered with a dense plastic bag, in which several holes are made for ventilation.

In this state, the product is sent to the refrigerator. The water is changed every day.

In a paper towel

The second option involves wrapping the fork in a thick paper napkin or towel. This method is simpler, but the shelf life of the product is no more than 4 days:

1. Inflorescences are lightly sprayed with water from a spray bottle.
2. Each fork is wrapped in a paper towel so that it absorbs excess moisture.
3. It is important that the napkin does not fit tightly to the inflorescences, otherwise ventilation will be disturbed.

The broccoli wrapped in a napkin is placed in the refrigerator and checked periodically. The first to use those inflorescences on which signs of deterioration or wilting have appeared.

In a plastic bag

If you want to save broccoli for 3 days, but there is no time for constant control of inflorescences, use this option:

1. Take bags of dense cellophane and make several holes in them for ventilation.
2. One fork is placed in each bag. The packaging is tightly tied and sent to the refrigerator.

This method is not suitable for long-term storage, as condensation gradually accumulates in the bag, despite the presence of holes. It also leads to rapid decay of the product.

How to keep broccoli fresh for the winter

A freezer is suitable for this. The frozen vegetable retains all flavor and beneficial features up to 1 year.

Attention! Before laying the inflorescences, blanch for 2-3 minutes in boiling water. This suppresses oxidative enzymes and destroys most of the pathogenic microorganisms.

To properly freeze broccoli, follow these instructions:

1. The heads are washed, the stems and leaves are removed, and the forks are divided into several parts.
2. The pieces are placed in saline solution for 30 minutes and then rinsed under running water.
3. Broccoli is placed in boiling water, boiled for 3 minutes and discarded in a colander. When the moisture has drained, the vegetable is immediately placed in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes.
4. The inflorescences are again thrown back in a colander. When excess moisture drains off, dry on a paper or cloth towel.
5. Completely dry heads are laid out in one layer on a large plate or tray, placed in the freezer. It is better to turn on the quick freeze mode, if there is one, so that the product grasps instantly.

Frozen cabbage is packaged in portions in bags or containers and sent to the freezer. Do not re-freeze broccoli.

In the cellar

The cool and dry cellar is suitable for storing broccoli for the winter.

Attention! The basement maintains a stable temperature (0 ... + 10 ° C) and humidity 90–95%. At low humidity, the forks will begin to dry, and at high humidity, bloom.

To successfully preserve cabbage until a new harvest, follow these rules:

1. All outer leaves are removed from the heads.
2. Vegetables are placed in wooden boxes, baskets or simply on shelves. It is important that they have ventilation holes. The bottom must be lined with a cloth.
3. The forks are laid out so that they do not touch each other. It is advisable to wrap each head with thick paper and change it as it gets wet.

When stored in the basement, vegetables are periodically examined and damaged ones are removed, since one rotten specimen will provoke damage to the rest.

It is interesting:

The benefits and harms of broccoli for women.

The best varieties and hybrids of broccoli cabbage for Siberia and the peculiarities of their cultivation.

A step-by-step guide on how to grow broccoli at home correctly.

Conclusion

Broccoli is deservedly considered a capricious vegetable. Its inflorescences at room temperature begin to wither after 2-3 hours, and are stored in the refrigerator for no longer than a week. If you know some tricks and put the heads in storage correctly, they will stay fresh for up to 10 days in the refrigerator and for 8-12 months in the freezer or cool basement.