How to store carrots in the refrigerator?

Carrots are one of the healthiest vegetables around. It contains many irreplaceable substances, as well as vitamins that children and adults need. Therefore, such a product is often purchased in large quantities. However, you need to be able not only to choose it, but also to save it correctly. One option is refrigeration. This is what we will consider in the article.

It so happens that in the refrigerator you need to put carrots obtained from your own summer cottage. In this case, it must be correctly assembled. So, harvesting is carried out before frost, and the tops are cut off almost completely, leaving only about 10 mm. Such recommendations will allow you to keep the carrots longer. If you bought a product in a store, then on arrival home you need to immediately remove it from the package. The tops will also have to be trimmed, since they will most likely be on store carrots. Only those vegetables that do not have deformations are laid for storage. Cracks, cut ends and similar defects are unacceptable.

You can use different containers for storing prepared carrots. Most often, housewives take vacuum or thermal bags for these purposes, as well as cling film. However, some people prefer to put the product in molds for baking dough, plastic bowls.

It should be noted that the refrigerator is not the best place for long-term storage of carrots. For very large quantities of product, it is better to choose a cellar. But if there are not enough carrots, then the refrigerator compartment is quite acceptable. So, for several months it is best to lay it in the freshness zone. The temperature there ranges from 0 to +3 degrees. In the main compartment, where the temperature parameters often reach 6 degrees Celsius, the carrots will lie less. And storage in the freezer can last up to a year, provided that the product is correctly bookmarked.

Fresh carrots can be stored in the refrigerator, but it is recommended to process the product before placing them in the chamber. Many people tend to wash their vegetables. And this procedure really has its advantages. After washing, you can see the slightest defects and deformations on the carrots, as well as wash off the dirt, which can contain fungal spores, leading to rot and spoilage of vegetables.

If the shelf life is short, up to 10 days, then the washed carrots are placed in a container filled with cool clean water. Then the container is sealed and placed at the very bottom of the refrigerating chamber. The container must be opened every two days to change the water.

If you want to store vegetables for a month or two, you will need to do the following:

• vegetables are good, but without undue effort they are washed in cool water, removing lumps of dirt; then spread on waffle towels and wait until they dry completely;
• then the carrots are placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then taken out and laid out in bags, each of them is supplemented with a paper napkin that will absorb excess moisture;
• it is also worth letting air out of the bags in advance, the container is properly closed, and then laid out in the freshness zone.

Unwashed carrots are stored even better. Vegetables are wiped with a dry cloth, especially large lumps of earth are brushed.Then leave in a dark place for 24 hours to dry the roots. After that, you can choose several storage methods:

• sealed polyethylene bags, while no more than 5 carrots are put in one bag;
• cling film, and here it is already better to take 1 vegetable each;
• paper moistened from a spray bottle (also 1 carrot each);
• plastic container.

Whichever storage method is chosen, vegetables should also be placed in the fresh zone.

Some housewives prefer to clean the root crops in advance before placing them in refrigerators. Peeled carrots can also be kept cold, but the time will be even shorter than in the case of washed carrots. Such root vegetables will last up to a month, and then if they are placed in an airtight container made of food grade plastic.

It's no secret that there are many ways to make carrot blanks. If you do not want to constantly engage in the manufacture of a fresh product, then you should think about the correct storage of the blanks.

It is worth being prepared for the fact that boiled carrots will not lie for a long time, as, in principle, any product that has undergone heat treatment. But for several days it is quite possible to lay it, and in any form. Boiled carrots can be peeled or left in the skin, cut into cubes or circles. Prepared and cooled root vegetables are placed in a plastic container and placed in the upper part of the refrigerator. Do not close the lid tightly, otherwise the vegetables will rot.

There is another option for storing boiled carrots. It is laid out on a flat plate, and then covered with a towel or paper napkin moistened with water. Such carrots can lie for several days.

The best way to preserve any food is to simply freeze it by placing it in the freezer. This technique is very convenient, because you can spend time once preparing the product, and then get it out a little during the whole year, using it for different dishes. It is worth noting that with a similar storage method, vegetables do not lose vitamins, unlike cooking, for example.

Vegetables must be thoroughly washed and peeled and then dried before storing them. After that, the root vegetables are cut in any convenient way: cubes, circles, straws, stars. The cut product is laid out in bags, making sure that it does not lie too tightly. Then the air is released from the container and fastened tightly.

In addition to chopped carrots, you can store whole root vegetables. The main thing is that they are not too large. They should also be washed and dried well before placing them in the freezer.

Blanching is a procedure in which vegetables are exposed to boiling water and then cold water. This technique allows you to destroy bacteria on the hard surface of food in a matter of seconds. In addition, blanched carrots always remain tasty and bright.

The procedure is carried out as follows:

• root vegetables are washed and cleaned;
• immersed in boiling water for 180 seconds;
• pulled out of the water, it is best to take a special spoon or colander for this;
• dipped in cold liquid for a couple of minutes.

When the vegetables have cooled, they are taken out of the container and immediately placed on a towel, which must be placed on a tray or thick sheet. Then the tray, along with all its contents, is placed in the freezer for about 120-180 minutes. After this time, the frozen carrots are taken out of the freezer, packaged in the selected containers. You can store root vegetables both in the upper part of the refrigerator and in the freezer.

Carrots can be grated before storage. This is convenient if you often make salads and soups from this product. Vegetables are thoroughly washed and peeled, then dried. After that, the root crop is rubbed and laid out in separate piles for packing. Prepare containers and fill with carrots in portions. Then they put it all in the freezer for a couple of hours. After the allotted time, they are removed from the chamber, shaken out and returned back.

There is another option for how to preserve the grated product. You will need cling film here. The vegetable is prepared in the same way as in the first embodiment, and then placed on the film in a tight path. Then they roll up as if they are preparing shawarma. The side parts of the twist are fastened with thick threads. Then they are placed in the freezer. After a couple of hours, they take it out and beat it well with your fingers so that the carrots do not stick together during the freezing process.

Such blanks are kept exclusively closed, otherwise all the products of the refrigerator will be saturated with aroma. Glass or ceramic dishes are suitable here, the lid should be tight. Before use, carrots lie in the freezer, and defrost should be done at the bottom of the refrigerator.

Effective recommendations for storing carrots in the refrigerator will be useful for those who are used to harvesting vegetables for future use.

• Carrots go well with beets. Therefore, these root vegetables can be safely stored together in airtight bags.
• It is always worth remembering the shelf life of food. So, grated or boiled carrots cannot be stored without a freezer for more than a couple of days. Peeled root vegetables can lie for a week, uncleaned, but washed - up to 60 days. Vegetables that have not been washed may well retain their appearance for 6 months. Storage moisture for vegetables should be between 85 and 95 percent.
• Root vegetables are stored only in containers, it is forbidden to fold them just like that. In this case, the packaging must be completely sealed.
• If the refrigerator needs defrosting, then the carrots are placed in a cold place for this time.
• Sometimes it happens that there are too many products or blanks. In this case, it is recommended to stick a sticker on the bag, by which you can understand exactly when the vegetable was put into storage.
• Keep carrots away from other foods and do not mix them with ready-to-eat meals. It is especially dangerous if there are apples nearby. They will cause rapid spoilage of root crops.
• If you want to keep the carrots longer, you should choose the right variety. For a long bookmark, medium-late options are suitable, as well as those that have a long shape. Short roots are stored worse.
• Fully ripe carrots are the best choice. If the vegetable is unripe, it will spoil soon.