How to keep a watermelon in an apartment until the New Year in an apartment. Several effective ways to store fresh watermelons for a long time

In the harvesting season, every housewife is concerned, first of all, with how to preserve the fruits for the longest possible period. Today we will talk about how to store watermelons in the cellar so that the fragrant sweet pulp will delight you for more than one month later, and, perhaps, would have lasted until the New Year. If you are lucky and there is a cool dark place where you can put ripe berries, then you should definitely take advantage of this and surprise guests in the middle of winter.

What should you pay attention to if you have an idea to store watermelons in the cellar?

Fruit selection

This is the most important point, because not all varieties of this berry are able to withstand long-term maintenance even under ideal conditions.

Storage conditions

Just as not every watermelon lasts until the New Year, also not every cellar is suitable for placing melons in it. Let's dwell on each point in detail.

How to choose the right watermelon for storage

It is recommended to consider “Astrakhan stripy” and “Popovka” as “lying” varieties. Slightly less durable will be "Astrakhan marble", "Bykovsky 15" and "Melitopolsky 143".

In addition to the variety, attention should be paid to the fruits themselves.

Terms of purchase

We do not buy watermelons for storage in early or mid-August.

The best time to purchase is the end of September. It is then that the fruits will be the sweetest and most ripe, without the risk of an increased content of nitrates in them.

Appearance and integrity

If the selected variety should have stripes, we look at their outlines: bright, with a noticeable border indicate the good quality and naturalness of the product.

Otherwise (the stripes are blurred) - the watermelon was most likely subjected to accelerated growth (the risk of buying a watermelon with nitrates).

Fruits lying directly on the ground are also not worth buying - microcracks on the peel will reduce the shelf life, a watermelon with them can begin to rot in a few weeks.

We choose fruits with a smooth crust without dents or damage.

Size and place of purchase

It is best to purchase medium-sized berries from the entire batch, as too large ones can be overripe.

Be sure to pay attention to the state of the halo under the tail - it should be keratinized, not fresh green. This indicates a good ripeness of the watermelon.
It is better not to buy melon in the supermarket - as a rule, unripe fruits are supplied there, and such will not have sufficient sweetness in the future.
If the watermelons have grown in our own garden, then we remove them for storage about 4-5 days before the planned harvest.

You can read about more detailed nuances of choosing a striped berry in our article "." But even if the variety is chosen correctly, storage cannot be guaranteed without other, equally important conditions.

A place

Before pawning or even buying melons, let's decide on a place, because watermelons cannot be stored in the same room with potatoes or other vegetables.

It is best to make a separate, lockable compartment for them.

Preparation

The main condition is careful handling. Regardless of where our watermelons come from, they must be transported to the storage place and handled as carefully as possible in order to prevent the appearance of dents or cracks.

In addition, in no case do we put the fruits in several layers, especially during transportation. We also do not transport them or keep them on a hard surface before sending them to the cellar. A soft rag mat will protect the skin.

Next, wash the watermelons thoroughly and not just wipe them with a towel, but let them dry completely. Ideally, they should be covered with straw or dry grass at night for "effusion", that is, maximum dehydration of the peel.

Storage method

The cellar should be equipped with hooks or shelves, since both methods of storing watermelons are considered optimal.

Hanging watermelon

In the first case, we put each berry in a separate net and hang it on a hook.

Watermelons in the sand

In the second, we fill the shelves with sand, cover them with straw or rags and lay out clean, dry watermelons. As we remember, there should not be a hard surface that will injure the fetus.

In no case do we put watermelons side to side. There must be a distance of at least 5-10 cm between them. In case one of the fruits starts to rot, this will help mold and mildew not to spread to healthy berries.

We do not touch the berries hanging in the net at all.

Storing watermelons in the cellar: temperature and humidity

Cool humid air of 5-8 degrees above 0 and 75% - 80% humidity is considered optimal. Moderate cold will ensure long-term storage and maximally protect watermelons from the appearance of pests and fungi, and moisture will allow the berry to remain juicy.

If the cellar turns out to be too dry, we risk getting not juicy pulp in November, but a sluggish substance, since the watermelon will evaporate too much moisture.

How many watermelons can be stored in a cellar? Obviously, if all these recommendations are followed, they can hold out there until the New Year for sure.

Well, for those who consider all of the above to be insufficient, we will describe several more effective, but more complex and time-consuming methods of storing melons in the cellar.

We fill 1/3 of the wooden crates with dry straw or clean sand.
We put watermelons in them.
We fill the remaining space with the substrate.

Despite the fact that once again it will not be possible to check the condition of the crop, it will be possible to store watermelons in this way for at least a month. The main thing is to comply with the isolation condition - there should be either straw or sand between the berries.

Also for these purposes, you can use wood ash or moss:

ash must be of natural origin and preferably deciduous trees,
We collect the moss in the forest and dry it in the sun before using it.

Storing watermelons in clay

An excellent adsorbent and disinfectant clay will keep fruits fresh for a long time.

Apply a thick layer of liquid clay to the watermelons.
Let the clay dry completely.
Then we lower the processed watermelons into the cellar.
We lay out separately and take out as needed.

Now you know how to store watermelons in the cellar so that they last as long as possible and, even in deep winter, please your family with their summer juiciness.

Do you want to surprise your family and friends at the New Year's table? Offer them to enjoy ... a watermelon as a dessert! Yes, yes, this juicy berry can well be stored in its original state for 3-4 months, so if you still do not know how to preserve a watermelon until the New Year, I can help you with my advice.

It makes sense to store a watermelon in winter only if you have chosen or bought a suitable fruit for this. Early maturing varieties, as well as specimens with damaged skin, cracks and dents, will not lie in your home for a month. If you want the watermelon to be stored, even if not all winter, but long enough, first you need to choose it correctly. Let me tell you a few secrets of this process.

Buy fruits in mid or late September - by this time late-ripening varieties ripen, which, as a rule, are not stuffed with nitrates so that they ripen faster.
Late-ripening thick-bore fruits of such varieties as "Astrakhansky", "Blagodatny", "Volzhsky", "Bykovsky", "Dessertny", "Ikar", "Melitopolsky", "Podarok Kholodova", "Stoks" are best kept at home. "Chill".
The rind of the watermelon should be thick, firm, bright green, firm and shiny. Take care not to have the slightest damage: scratches, cracks, dents and sunburn.
It will be better if the fruits intended for storage turn out to be slightly unripe, with greenish tails, white veins and a weak bloom on the peel. The sound from hitting the watermelon should be loud enough. Such fruits will ripen perfectly during storage, and their shelf life will be much longer.
Do not buy watermelons piled on the side of the road, lying on the ground and stored without a canopy. Fruits that have been in direct sunlight for a long time, have been lying on the ground for a long time and have absorbed exhaust gases will not please you with either long storage or excellent taste.
It is best to purchase watermelons from certified outlets. The seller must have a health book and all the necessary documents. The fruits must certainly be located on the flooring and under a canopy, and it is desirable that the seller stores them in one layer, but not in a huge heap.
Don't go for the largest pieces; the weight of the watermelon that you want to save for the winter should be about 4-5 kg.

Growing late-ripening varieties on your own and wanting to preserve them for the winter, try to calculate the harvest time correctly: about 5-7 days before full ripeness. Remove the watermelons carefully, transport them to the storage location as carefully as possible, using a soft bedding for each fruit, and do not leave the berries in the scorching sun.

Cellar storage

If you are interested in how to keep a watermelon as long as possible, you can be sure that the best refuge for a watermelon during the winter will be a cellar or basement. How long your fruits will be stored in this case depends on what conditions you provide them.

The ideal temperature for storing watermelons in winter is 1-4 ºC above zero. In this case, the humidity should be 70-80%. And do not forget about organizing good ventilation in the cellar.

Before storing the fruits, it is advisable to process them correctly. First of all, let the berries lie for 1-2 days under the straw so that their bark gets rid of excess moisture. Then treat each fruit with a solution of 2% lime, which will protect them from germs and fungi. Now you can proceed directly to storage in the cellar using one of the following methods.

On the shelves. The shelves, which are at a distance of about 1 m from each other, must be covered with soft natural material: straw, dry peat or pine needles. After that, spread the watermelons, making sure that they do not touch the sides. At least once a week, the fruits must be turned over and rotted specimens must be removed.
Under the ceiling. If the crop is small, during the winter you can store it in nets and string bags, hanging them in the cellar from the ceiling. Arrange the fruits so that they do not touch each other. Before placing the watermelon in the net, it is advisable to wrap it in newspaper or parchment.
In sand. Put a layer of sand on the bottom of a large box, place a watermelon there and completely cover it. It is quite difficult to monitor the condition of the fruit buried in the sand, however, if you have chosen and processed the watermelon of the appropriate variety correctly, it will be stored as long as you need, even until February.
In the ashes. Instead of sand, you can take wood ash left over after burning firewood in a stove: the material change will not affect the shelf life.
In the straw. Lay a layer of straw on the shelves or directly on the floor, place watermelons on it and sprinkle each piece with it. Do not forget to periodically dig up the fruits and check if they have deteriorated.
In moss. You can store watermelons throughout the winter not only in straw, but also in moss. To do this, stock up on this gift of nature in the fall, and make sure that it is dry and clean. Allow the moss to dry out in the sun for a few days before storing, and then cover each fruit tightly in the cellar with it.
In the shell. Watermelons are perfectly stored in a shell made of clay, alabaster, wax or paraffin. Coat each berry with a layer of liquid solution (about 1 cm thick) and let it set. After that, the fruits can be laid out on shelves in the cellar or suspended from the ceiling. The shelf life in such an individual cocoon can be 4-5 months.
In water. You can keep your watermelon fresh in a large tub of cold water. In this case, the surface of the fruit must be absolutely intact, and the liquid must be changed at least a couple of times a month.
In the ground. You can store the fruits right at the summer cottage, in a deep hole. Lay a layer of straw or wood chips 10 cm thick on the bottom, then put watermelons treated with a 25% solution of lime in the pit, sprinkle them on top and sides with shavings and cover them with a layer of soil 30 cm.This way you can save a very large harvest, but watch out its safety is quite problematic.

Storage in the apartment

How to store watermelons in a basement or cellar is clear; now let's figure out how to organize their storage at home, in an apartment. Maintaining the optimum temperature for these berries at home can only be in the refrigerator. Some owners, before placing the fruit there, keep it for about an hour in the freezer at a temperature of -10 ºС. Using pre-freezing, you can extend the shelf life of this berry, but it will clearly lose some of its beneficial properties.

It is easiest to store fruits in the refrigerator, but how to keep a whole watermelon when the refrigerator is jam-packed with other foods? If your apartment has a glazed balcony or loggia, you can organize storage there too: provided that the temperature does not drop below zero in winter. You can keep watermelons on the balcony at home in the same way as in the cellar: on shelves suspended from the ceiling, in boxes with sand, sprinkled with straw or moss, coated with clay or wax ... The shelf life of the fruits with properly organized storage will be at least three months.

But I would not recommend storing watermelons at home at room temperature, since they will not be able to lie for a long period of time in such conditions. Although you can try to keep these fruits in the closet or in the mezzanine, placing them on a soft bedding and constantly turning them over. However, on the balcony or in the refrigerator, your crops will last much longer.

Storing cut fruit

So, we figured out the storage of whole fruits at home or in the basement, but how to save a watermelon if it has already been cut? And how much, in principle, can a cut watermelon be stored?

I will say right away: it is best to eat this berry in one sitting, especially when it comes to the summer period. This treat can become toxic even after hours in the sun. So if you really need to keep a cut watermelon at home, it is best to hide it in the refrigerator right after a meal.

To do this, put it on a plate with the cut down, wrap it together with the container in cling film and store in the refrigerator for no more than two days. This period is due not only to the fact that bacteria very quickly start in the cut watermelon, but also to the loss of its taste by the fruit by the end of the second day. By the way, make sure that there are no pungent-smelling foods in the refrigerator, since watermelon perfectly absorbs foreign odors.

If you want to keep the cut fruit longer, you can try storing it in the cellar by placing it in a basin and covering it with a lid. How long can you store a watermelon in such conditions? Its shelf life can be up to 4 days at a temperature of 1-3 ºС, however, I would recommend eating this delicacy the next day, before it has time to lose its taste and aroma.

Your brownie.

In the season of watermelons, everyone tries to eat them to the full in order to stock up on vitamins and not forget the amazing taste of this huge berry until the next harvest. But if you like to experiment, then you can try to keep the watermelon until winter. Many people succeed in this and then they surprise the guests by serving a watermelon even on the New Year's table.

Where to get watermelons for winter storage

A watermelon bought in a store or in the market for long-term storage is categorically not suitable. Even the slightest scratch on the peel will allow harmful microorganisms to enter the berry through it, from which the watermelon will either become soft, or ferment, or even rot. In the conditions of their mass cultivation, collection and transportation, not a single watermelon remains completely intact. For storage, only those watermelons are suitable that you personally and very carefully picked from the garden or familiar summer residents brought them from the village. When collecting watermelons, it is necessary to use cotton gloves, and put them in the trunk of the car on a very large layer of soft hay so that the watermelons lie in separate nests, as it were. A thick blanket will do, but then the plucked watermelons must be shifted with old pillows so that they do not touch each other.

Which watermelons are suitable for storage until the New Year

For winter storage, you need to choose watermelons of medium weight (3-4 kg) and with a very shiny skin. You should not remove the dry tail from the watermelon - it serves as a kind of cork through which germs will not get inside. Late ripening watermelons are best suited for storage. These are the following varieties:

Astrakhan.
Crimson Glory.
Charleston Gray.
Chill.
Skorik.
Stokes.

The latter can even be laid not fully ripe - during storage this variety matures and becomes very tasty.

Storage conditions for watermelons until the New Year

The best storage place is considered to be a basement or cellar with:

ambient temperature - from +1 to +3 degrees.
air humidity - 80-85%

In other rooms, such as cold storage rooms, garages, sheds, such conditions are very difficult to achieve. In them, watermelons can lie down without losing their taste for no more than 1-1.5 months.

Storing watermelons in basements until the New Year

In a basement with the right temperature and humidity, watermelons can be stored in several ways:

On wide shelves covered with a thick layer of hay, straw or small wood shavings. To prevent micro-scratches from dried grass on the peel, it is advisable to put worn-out shabby sheets on top.
Suspended in nets. With this storage method, each individual watermelon is placed in a separate net - in which onions or potatoes are sold in the fall. The nets are suspended from hooks driven into the ceiling.

For more reliable storage, watermelons can be pre-coated with warm wax or paraffin (a layer of 0.5-1 cm) and, after it has hardened, remove the berries on shelves or in nets.

Storing watermelons in an apartment until the New Year

When storing watermelons until the new year, the berries should not touch each other at all. The shelves for watermelons should be very spacious, and the hooks for the nets should be driven in at a considerable distance from each other. In winter, watermelons should be inspected at least once a week and, at the slightest sign of spoilage, remove bad ones from the basement.

How long is a watermelon stored? The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous, since too many factors affect the lifespan of this wonderful berry. In order to enjoy a juicy and fragrant fruit from the heart, you first need to be able to choose it correctly, and long-term storage of a watermelon does require some knowledge and conditions.

Experienced melon growers are probably able to determine within a few seconds what is in front of them: a ripe sweet berry or an unripe one, and even worse - an inedible fruit pumped with nitrates.

People far from gardening often buy watermelon almost at random, like a lottery ticket. Unsurprisingly, disappointment in such cases is not uncommon. It is especially offensive when you want to pamper your child or guests with a wonderful fruit and berry dessert, and the dish turns out to be unsweetened, almost tasteless and unappetizing watermelon. In order not to get into such a situation, the choice should be approached thoroughly and slowly. So, what should be guided by when buying?

Selecting a retail outlet

First of all, you need to understand where you can and where you should definitely not make a purchase:

Roadside makeshift counters, where the fruits lie in a green heap on top of each other, and often even without a canopy, right under the scorching sun, it is better to bypass. Watermelons very quickly absorb toxic substances that enter the air with the exhaust gases of cars rushing by, which not only worsens the taste, but also simply makes them unhealthy. And exposure to sunlight can lead to damage to the fetus in just a couple of hours.

Caution: in no case should you buy fruits cut or opened to demonstrate "ripeness"; there is a high likelihood of food poisoning after eating them.

Supermarkets, especially large chains, inspire more confidence, but, unfortunately, not all of them and cannot always boast of excellent quality fruits, vegetables and berries, since such outlets usually make very large purchases of goods, which often spend a long time in warehouses ... For this reason, no one can guarantee the ripeness of watermelons lying on the shelves of large stores. It all depends on the specific batch, the timing of its delivery from the field and the quality of the supplier's choice.

Important: these berries do not ripen after harvesting from the garden; alas, they do not become sweeter.

The most suitable place to buy watermelon is considered to be equipped markets, where full control over the quality of the goods that reaches the consumer is exercised. However, even in such a place, you can and should ask the seller for a certificate for his products.

It is good when the watermelons on the market counter lie in one row, without touching each other, and on a special soft bedding. This suggests that the trade is carried out by a person who knows firsthand about the conditions necessary to preserve the quality of melons and gourds.

When does the watermelon season begin

No one is surprised any more when in the middle of summer in all districts of the city tents grow like mushrooms after rain, in the depths of which mountains of watermelons await their buyers. Meanwhile, buying a good, ripe watermelon in July is an almost impossible task, since the fruits begin to ripen only in August. Accordingly, in the second half of the last summer month, it is time to pamper yourself and loved ones with ripe and sweet watermelons.

Varieties for better storage

Not every watermelon can lie without spoiling for a long time, therefore, racking your brains over how to store watermelons until the New Year, it is important to know what kind of variety you grew or met on the counter. Early ripening varieties are suitable only for immediate consumption, they cannot be stored for a long time. The shelf life of late-ripening watermelons can be up to several months if care is taken to create the right conditions. The latter varieties include:

Astrakhan striped,
Astrakhan marble,
Popovka,
Melitopol 143,
Bykovsky 15,
Liezhky,
Chill (can be stored for up to 5 months)
Peasant,
Excellent black.

A yellow spot from contact with the soil is one of the signs of ripeness

We define quality

Long-term storage of watermelons is possible only for perfect specimens. Selection criteria:

Absence of even the slightest damage to the crust: there should be no dents, no scratches, no cracks, since all this will lead to early decay of the fruit.
Specimens that are too heavy will not last long. Best of all, you will be able to keep berries weighing no more than 4–5 kg.
A watermelon can be stored for a long time if it is really ripe. The berry that did not have time to ripen will become unusable very quickly.

Visual inspection of the fetus does not present any difficulties, but determining whether it is ripe or not can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is possible even for those who are not too sophisticated in this matter. To help - instructions.

How to choose a ripe watermelon?

1. Pay attention to the condition of his tail: correct, if it is dry. However, the tail may well dry out during storage, so the halo around it should also be dry.

2. Ripe fruit must have a small spot from contact with the soil. The yellow color of the spot is a good sign, but the white one indicates the presence of a high content of nitrates in the berry.

3. The crust of a ripe specimen is so strong that it will be very difficult to pierce it with a fingernail, and when rubbed, it does not exude a grassy aroma.

4. Glossy, shiny surface indicates that the berry is ripe, and dullness warns of the presence of harmful chemicals.

5. You need to listen: when tapped, the ripe fruit emits a dull resonating sound, and when squeezed, it crackles slightly. A ripe watermelon cannot "ring".

Subtleties that not everyone knows about: if on the opposite side of the tail there is a halo that is larger in diameter, such a berry is a "representative of the fair sex", and it is much sweeter than others, and there are much fewer seeds in it. And of two fruits of equal size, it will be correct to give preference to the lighter one: it is really ripe!

With all of the above in mind, everyone will be able to choose an excellent ripe watermelon with a high percentage of probability. Having made a good purchase a couple of times, you can safely stock up and store watermelons for the winter. It is better to do this at the end of September, then the chance to treat yourself to a summer dessert at the New Year's table will be maximum.

Conditions for the preservation of fruits

Storing a watermelon requires compliance with several conditions:

The temperature should not exceed +10 degrees. The optimal mode is considered to be from +1 to +4 degrees Celsius. When the air is too warm, the pulp simply peroxides, and with negative values, it turns into ice.
The berry must be isolated from any light, and first of all, of course, from the sun. Under its influence, the life of the fetus is significantly shortened.
The humidity in the storage room should be approximately 80% (+/- 5%). If the storage is too dry, the watermelon will wither, and in an excessively humid environment, it will rot.

There are several ways and suitable storage locations for these amazing berries.

refrigerators compartment

When it comes to how to keep a watermelon intended for immediate consumption for a couple of days, a refrigerator will be the best option at home, since it allows you to easily regulate and maintain the desired temperature, does not let light through and does not dry food.

It happens that even with joint efforts it is not possible to finish off a huge berry in one sitting, then you have to store the cut watermelon in the refrigerator. Here, too, you need to take into account some of the nuances:

on the third day, the once aromatic and sweet pulp loses its characteristic taste, and it is no longer interesting to eat it; besides, the watermelon just starts to spoil;
many wrap the berry with cling film so that its pulp does not dry out, but this is correct only if you turn the watermelon cut down on a wide plate and wrap the fruit and dishes with plastic;
before storing a watermelon in the refrigerator, even uncut, it is important to make sure that there are no odorous foods in the neighborhood; the fact is that even through the crust, the berry very intensively absorbs all the aromas, for example, of smoked sausage or fish.

Balcony

On a balcony or loggia, if they are protected from the sun's rays, you can store a whole watermelon even in summer, but not for long, a maximum of a week. But an opened watermelon "behaves badly" if it is too warm outside the window. Late autumn is another matter, when the thermometer does not rise above + 5–7 degrees, and the sun no longer bakes. At this time, the cut fruit will remain on the loggia for a day or two, and whole berries at this temperature may well last until the New Year's feast.

Storage methods in the cellar

It is very simple and convenient to store watermelons in the cellar. However, in the winter, the basement or underground is just an ideal storage for other supplies that have no place in the apartment. Therefore, this option has its own difficulties: storing watermelons in a cellar presupposes their isolation from other fresh vegetables and fruits, since such a neighborhood can significantly accelerate the spoilage of the former. It is good if the cellar is more than one room, or at least has a partition.

Storage options for watermelons:

Suspended. The fruit is taken, wrapped in a soft natural cloth or several layers of clean paper, and placed in a wicker string bag, which is suspended from the ceiling. In this form, watermelon can be stored for up to six months, if we are talking about the mildest varieties.
On wide shelves covered with straw or other soft natural material (moss, peat, pine needles).
In ash or sand. The selected filler is poured onto the bottom of the wooden box, the watermelons are laid out and covered completely.
Moss growing in swamps has excellent bactericidal properties, and therefore is excellent for storing fruits that are covered with it, covering the entire surface.
Each berry can be “packed” in a protective suit made of wax, alabaster, clay or paraffin. To do this, you just need to coat the watermelons with a liquid substance and wait until it dries. Then it will be very easy to cut it and take it off.
In a tub or barrel with water - another possible option for "underground" storage of watermelons. Of course, the water should be cold and should be changed at least once a month.

If there is a subfloor in a private house, then even a cut fruit does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. Putting the cut side down in a deep clean basin, covering with a wide dish and placing it in the cellar is quite possible.

Freezing in portions is one of the ways to preserve for the New Year holidays

Conditions and shelf life in the cellar

In general, all of the above methods are good and allow you to save sun fruits not for one day, but for several months in advance, up to February, but again, taking into account some conditions:

the room must be well ventilated;
before laying the berries for storage, they should be kept in straw for a couple of days, and then treated with a 2% solution of lime to prevent mold or rot damage to the stock;
treat the storage with special agents against fungi and microbes;
maintain the correct level of humidity and temperature;
when laying berries for storage, it is important to ensure that they do not come into contact with each other;
a couple of times a month it is necessary to inspect stocks, removing specimens that have begun to deteriorate and turning over from side to side those that are in perfect order.

On the site, in the ground

Some people manage to store watermelons in the ground. For this purpose, a deep hole is dug, the bottom of which is lined with straw (the layer thickness is about 10 cm), then the fruits pretreated with lime (2% solution) are laid, the space between the berries is filled with shavings, they also cover the stock from above and cover everything with earth. The layer of earth is about 30 cm.

What if there is no subfloor or balcony?

Is it possible to store watermelons in an apartment for as long as in a cellar or on a balcony? Perhaps the answer is obvious. Even if you put the berries in a relatively cool pantry, they will not last as long.

Some apartments have small niches located under the kitchen window, which turn into refrigerators with the onset of the first cold weather, but even there long-term storage of watermelons seems unlikely, because both humidity and temperature are very unstable.

Freezing

It is better to freeze watermelons in portions. Better yet, make a semi-finished product out of them by placing each slice on a wooden stick and rolling the juicy pulp in powdered sugar. On the baking sheet, the blanks must be sent to the freezer, and when they turn into ice cream, put the berry ice in plastic containers, not forgetting to layer it with parchment paper.

Such figurines can serve as a wonderful decoration for fruit salads or interesting cocktails.

Preserving fruit for a long winter is an urgent problem in our latitudes, we recommend that you also read the article on bananas to find out, and other subtleties, in many ways similar to the preservation of other fruits.

Storing a watermelon with alabaster. Video

Salting watermelon for the winter. Video

Many people want to save the watermelon until the New Year holidays in order to pleasantly surprise guests and relatives. Agree, a summer treat will cause a real sensation. For a long time, the storage of watermelons has been carried out using straw, clay, paraffin and even ash. The procedure is not particularly difficult, but you must have basic knowledge. Consider the most relevant methods that will preserve the beneficial properties, structure and consistency of the fruit.

The benefits of watermelon

Thanks to the watermelon pulp, the intestinal microflora improves, the activity of the digestive tract is normalized, and the vessels dilate. The use of fruits is indicated for people suffering from chronic constipation or, on the contrary, diarrhea.
Watermelon contains fiber, which is responsible for cholesterol levels. With regular use, the risk of developing atherosclerosis and other serious diseases associated with a large amount of adipose tissue decreases. In addition, watermelon maintains blood glucose levels, allowing people with diabetes to lead a fulfilling life.
The berry contains lycopene, a natural antioxidant. It normalizes the work of the heart, stabilizes blood pressure, and reduces the risk of developing malignant and benign tumors. When consumed regularly, the possible occurrence of cancer is prevented.

Optimal storage conditions for watermelons

Extracting fruits in the basement is rightfully considered the most profitable option, especially in winter. The main thing is to ensure that the air humidity does not exceed 80%.
In this case, the temperature regime should be within the 2-4 degrees mark. It is the listed characteristics that guarantee the preservation of the juiciness, taste and structure of the fruit.
It is important to remember forever that at sub-zero temperatures, watermelons begin to freeze. This feature leads to a permanent loss of quality.
The same applies to a setting that is too high (from 4 degrees). If the mark inside the fruit is violated, fermentation begins, which makes the pulp mushy and sour.
It is also worth considering the optimal level of humidity, it should not be higher than 80%. Otherwise, watermelons begin to rot en masse, again, the taste, juiciness and structure of the pulp are lost.
Another important point to consider is air circulation. The room for long-term storage of watermelons should be equipped with ventilation or blowing. Such a move will prevent bacteria from actively developing.

Choosing a watermelon for long-term storage

If you buy a berry with dents or cracked skin, the watermelons will definitely disappear. The same applies to early maturity specimens. Defective watermelons can be stored for a maximum of 15 days.
Remember that late ripeness watermelons are suitable for storage. Fruits of this kind are not stuffed with nitrates for early ripeness. Therefore, you need to buy them in the fall (approximately September 15-30).
Berries with a very thick skin are ideal for storage. Give preference to the Volga, Astrakhan, Melitopol, Bykovsky watermelons. Also varieties "Stokes", "Dessert", "Grace", "Kholodov", "Ikar" are suitable.
Inspect and feel the selected items before buying. The "right" watermelons have a bright green and glossy rind without matte blotches. Tap it to make sure it is tight and firm.
A very important aspect in the selection of berries is the integrity of the peel. You cannot buy watermelons with dents, cracks, sunburns, overly unripe areas, scratches or other minor damage.
To preserve the treat until the New Year, choose watermelons with mild immaturities. The tails should be green, not dry. Also on suitable specimens, white stripes and a slight coating will be visible.
Tap on the surface of the watermelon, the sound should be clear, not muffled. Fruits of this kind in the process of aging will reach the required level of ripeness, while they will lie after the New Year (if the situation requires it).
Avoid buying fruits that are traded along muddy roads on the sidelines. Especially if the watermelons are lying on the ground, uncovered with an awning. Watermelons lying on gravel or sand under direct ultraviolet light absorb all the smog.
If possible, buy berries from designated specialized stores. At your request, the seller is obliged to submit documents and a health book for the services provided. All copies should be stored in one, maximum two rows, but not in a huge pile. According to the rules, watermelons are placed on a pallet or in a box covered with a canopy.
To preserve the watermelon until the New Year, you need to pay attention to the weight of the product. An indicator of 3-5 kg is considered optimal, no more. Too large fruits will start to spoil from the inside.

To comply with all conditions, it is necessary to choose the right storage room. The ideal option is considered to be aging in a basement or cellar. Immediate preservation depends on the observance of important aspects, which we will talk about below.

Preparation

In late autumn and winter, keep the temperature in the range of 1-4 degrees. Observe air humidity around 75-80%. Provide proper circulation by installing ventilation.
Sort your watermelons before putting them in permanent storage. Next, you need to get rid of excess fluid in the bark. For this, place the melons on dry grass and cover with plenty of straw. Soak the berries for 2.5-3 days, turning them periodically.
To prevent the development of fungus, prepare a 2% lime mortar. Lubricate the peel of each watermelon with it, leave to dry for 3 hours. Next, select the appropriate storage option from the methods presented below.

Sand storage

Prepare a suitable sized wooden box. Pour dry sifted sand on the bottom, send a watermelon into the cavity. Sprinkle the fruit with sand and tamp.
If you decide to store several watermelons in this way, make sure that they do not come into contact with each other. If all conditions are met, preparation and "conservation" have been carried out, the watermelon will lie in the box until mid-January-early February.

Shelving storage

Make sure that the shelves for future storage of watermelons are spaced from each other at a distance of 80-100 cm. Line the shelves with pine needles, straw, dried peat or other natural material.
Arrange the fruits on the shelves, observing the interval between berries. Do not allow them to touch. Check the watermelons once a week, turn them over, and exclude rotten ones.

Storage in the ground

If you have a summer cottage, use this. Dig a deep hole (about 35-50 cm), line the bottom with dry wood shavings or straw. The layer should be about 10-15 cm.
Process the watermelons with lime at a concentration of 25%, send the specimens to the pit. Make sure the berries are kept separate from each other. Add more straw or wood to cover the sides and top.
Sprinkle earth on top of the watermelons to form a 30-40 cm layer. In this way, you can store a large number of berries, but it is very difficult to keep track of their integrity.

Storage in water

An excellent storage option that does not require ingenuity and improvised means is the use of water. Pick up a deep tub, send a watermelon into it, fill it with cold clean liquid.
In order to use this technique, the surface of the berries must be perfectly intact. In this case, the water must be changed once every 8-10 days.

Ash storage

Ash serves as an analogue of fruit aging in the sand. If for some reason you decide to resort to this method, choose ash from burning branches of fruit trees.
The technology of "conservation" is identical: pick up a wooden box, line the bottom with ash, lay out the berries and sprinkle them. Duration of exposure - until January.

Grid storage

If you plan to save a small harvest until the New Year, use a string bag or fine mesh. Choose one tool for each berry.
Wash the fruit with newspaper, parchment paper or scrapbook sheets, send inside. Hang the net from the ceiling in your basement or cellar. It is important not to allow the fruit to come into contact with each other.

Storage in moss

To use this method, you need to harvest the moss in the fall. It must be dry and whole, otherwise the melons will rot. Before you start packing the berries, put the moss in the sun, leave for 2 days to dry.
Find a suitable size wood box. It will be better if a separate box is allocated to each copy. Cover the bottom with moss, send the watermelon inside, wrap it on all sides, tamp it.

Storage in clay

Many housewives resort to this method on the advice of grandmothers, and this is not surprising. The method is considered the most effective of all available. If you create an individual cocoon for a watermelon, the fruit will lie for up to six months without losing its taste and structural properties.
Paraffin, alabaster or clay are taken as the basis for modeling. You need to prepare the composition, then "wrap" each berry with it. The layer of the product should not be less than 1 cm. After hardening, the watermelons are calmly placed on racks, hung in a net or wrapped in straw.