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It is possible to store daikon at home for a long time, even in a city apartment. It is important to follow the rules for harvesting large-sized root crops and preparing for storage for the winter. Vegetables preserve their beneficial properties better in cellars and cellars with high humidity or in the refrigerator.
When to remove daikon from the garden in autumn
Japanese radish is a thermophilic culture. Therefore, all gardeners and summer residents should closely follow the long-term weather forecast, because only a high-quality harvest can be stored. With the threat of early frost, the daikon is harvested even immature according to the terms indicated on the package. Most of the varieties are roots protruding high above the soil surface, which cannot tolerate temperatures below 0 ° C. Frost-affected specimens cannot be stored, they quickly deteriorate. Based on the weather in their area, everyone decides when to harvest vegetables: in September or October.
A non-bitter radish will taste better when fully ripe. This factor also affects keeping quality. If the temperature drops too early and for a short time, a spunbond shelter is constructed for the vegetables that will be stored in winter. During the day, the material is removed so that the plant absorbs the heat of the sun.
Dig the daikon for storage in cool, dry weather. The aisles are loosened deeply so that vegetables can be more easily released from the soil. Roots growing in a light and loose substrate freely come out of the ground if they are pulled by the tops and the top of the vegetable itself. First, they try to rock it in the ground from side to side or clockwise. If the root gives in, more effort is made and pulled out of the nest. In compacted soil, they dig with a pitchfork or a shovel so as not to damage the juicy and fragile structure of the pulp when pulled out.
When to clean the daikon in the suburbs
Sweet radish in regions where the temperature drops early, sometimes you have to dig it out before it is fully ripe. But it is better to harvest the daikon with a slightly smaller harvest than those affected by frost. The roots will not be of the stated size, but if stored properly they will last for several months. At the same time, taste and useful qualities do not radically change. If the frosts are short-term, the bed is covered with agrotextile or foil with insulation.
Such instances cannot be stored. If the vegetables are not rotted, they can be used immediately in cooking.
Rules for storing daikon for the winter
Good keeping quality of Japanese radish depends on the quality of harvesting. The dug up roots, which will be stored for several months, are left in the garden for 4-5 hours so that the earth on the skin dries up. If the day is warm and sunny, transfer the vegetables to a shaded place for drying. Then the soil is gently shaken off, removed, but not with a sharp tool. Better wipe with a rag. The tops are cut, leaving the tops up to 2.5 cm long.Root crops that meet the following requirements are stored:
- elastic, not flabby - the density of the structure is felt;
- the skin is naturally white, greenish-cream in color or tinged with pink in some varieties.
Instances with dark spots or mechanical damage are not suitable for long-term storage.
Dipping vegetables into the container should be done carefully to keep the flesh in good condition. Daikon for winter storage must not be washed. First, the roots are put on overexposure for 2-3 days. During this period, hidden damage will appear. Such specimens are left for food, they can lie for up to 3 weeks without major signs of deterioration. Japanese radish is placed:
- in basements;
- in the cellars;
- on an insulated loggia or balcony;
- in the fridge.
How to store a daikon for the winter in a cellar
The roots are placed in rows in boxes of sand or sawdust, which are moistened as they dry. Otherwise, these materials will pull moisture from the fruit. From time to time, when storing the daikon in the cellar, the roots are revised and specimens are taken with signs of rot so that they do not infect the rest of the crop. The boxes are covered with dense material so that air remains available. You can qualitatively save the daikon for the winter in the cellar where the air humidity is 70-90%.
How to store daikon in the basement
Correctly dug and dried root crops, intact and without damage, lie well in basements. Japanese radish is stored along with beets and carrots, it is also possible in large boxes that are filled with sand. If possible, cover the boxes with moss. Good storage requires 70-90% humidity and a temperature not higher than + 5 ° C. The sand is sprayed if it dries up.
How to keep a daikon for the winter at home
In the absence of underground storage facilities, Japanese radish is also placed in residential buildings, ordinary apartments, where there is a place with a temperature of no higher than + 7 ° C. Several roots can be wrapped in plastic bags and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Until severe frosts, below -15 ° C, storing daikon for the winter at home is possible even in an unheated barn. The fruits are placed in a canvas bag or wrapped in cloth and placed in a box, which is covered with an old blanket.
In private residential buildings, closets are equipped without heating, in which vegetables and fruits are stored. Among them there is a place for a box with Japanese radish, which with its vitamin composition will support the family in late autumn and early winter.
How to store a daikon in a city apartment
If there is a balcony or loggia, the roots are placed in these rooms, having organized a good insulation of the boxes with the harvest. Vegetables are stored in containers for which they use felt or modern building insulation, or polystyrene. Each root is carefully placed in a box, which is also carefully closed from above. In such conditions, it is unlikely that it will be possible to preserve the daikon for a long time in winter, but at temperatures down to -10 ° C, one can expect that vegetables will not be affected. You can additionally protect the daikon from frost by wrapping each vegetable in foil, food wrap or plastic wrap. They use old winter clothes and blankets for shelter. With the onset of severe frosts, the remaining roots are transferred to the refrigerator. On the insulated balcony, they must be stored for a long time.
The vegetable is cut into slices and passed through a dryer. The finished product is stored in tightly closed glass jars. Used for soups.
How to store daikon in the refrigerator
If you are going to store the roots in a household refrigerator, they are also not washed. Japanese radish is left for 4-5 hours to dry the lumps of earth, which are then shaken off by hand or wiped with a soft material. Prepared roots are placed in perforated plastic bags to ensure air circulation.
Storing daikon in the refrigerator lasts up to 3 months. The roots should be removed periodically from the bag and reviewed for signs of rot.The damaged copy is removed. Even a spring-planted daikon is kept in the refrigerator for a month or a month and a half, although its pulp is usually softer in structure and more vulnerable.
Is it possible to freeze daikon for the winter
One way to prolong your summer enjoyment by eating a sweet radish with its beneficial properties is to freeze the product quickly. The method allows you to store the daikon for the winter without significant loss of vitamins and valuable mineral elements.
How to freeze a daikon for the winter
After defrosting, root vegetables slightly change their taste, are suitable for use as a component of soups. When preparing for freezing, the best solution is to grate the radish. Some housewives advise cutting into small pieces. Optionally, you can try both options.
Preparation for storing daikon in freeze:
- wash the root crop thoroughly;
- rinse under running water;
- cut off the petioles;
- dry the daikon before grinding;
- peel;
- grate on medium sized fractions;
- portion into bags or small containers.
Daikon is laid out in small parts, since the secondary freezing of the product cannot be carried out. With such storage, it will finally lose its useful properties.
Do I need to wash the daikon before storing
Before freezing, Japanese radish must be washed. When laying the roots for storage in the refrigerator, basement or balcony, they cannot be washed. Water droplets remaining after drying can cause the onset of decay processes.
How much daikon is stored
In a freezer with a temperature of - 18 ° C, the storage period of daikon is long - up to 10-12 months. In the refrigerator, the roots of Japanese radish will lie for 2-3 months without loss of taste, smell and useful properties. The same period for storing root crops in the basement, cool closet or in boxes insulated with foam plastic on the loggia, balcony.
Where is the best place to store daikon
According to gardeners, the best option for storing Japanese radish is frost-free rooms:
- insulated barn;
- cellar or basement with high humidity;
- household refrigerator.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to store daikon at home. Observing the rules of cleaning, in which the roots are not damaged, you can be sure that a fresh treat for the vitamin salad will appear on the table during not only the autumn, but also the winter months.
