Kai store plums at home: freezing, drying and pickling

If you ask an experienced housewife how to store plums at home, she will certainly say - preserve, send to the freezer. These are far from all the methods that are recommended to be put into practice - tasty fruits will be preserved no less effectively on the balcony or in the basement. The main thing is to study the basic storage rules, strictly adhere to the recommendations.

Terms and rules for picking plum fruits

It is quite difficult to recommend when to collect juicy fruits from a tree - there are no definite dates. The collection of plums depends on the variety, some ripen in mid-summer, others hang on trees almost until autumn.It is important to know if the variety ripens after harvesting, if you collect unripe fruits, they can simply deteriorate, even if you provide good storage conditions. In order not to lose the entire crop, it is recommended to study the characteristics of the fruits in advance, find out the shelf life, ripening features, if harvested earlier.

Collect fruit carefully in the country, use a basket. It is not recommended to work only with your hands, shake or knock down the fruits. Even a slight blow can cause damage to plums.

Which varieties are suitable for storage

It is recommended to use only late varieties for storage. Early ones are more meaty and juicy, even in cool conditions they quickly begin to deteriorate.

Great for storage:

• Eldorado;
• Stanley;
• Empress;
• Anna Shpet;
• Arton;
• Haganta.

The record holder for storage is Excellent Blue - under proper conditions, it can easily withstand several months without signs of spoilage, you can enjoy fresh fruits even after the New Year holidays.

Duration and storage conditions of fresh plums

Depending on the variety, plum fruits can be stored for up to 4 months without freezing or pre-treatment.

Record holders are able to withstand much longer - up to six months, but only if you choose the right temperature, do not allow waterlogging.

It is recommended to strictly adhere to the basic rules - store fruits at the same temperature, avoid sudden jumps. The optimum indoor temperature is up to five degrees.

In the fridge

Egg trays are recommended for refrigerator storage. Fruits that do not touch each other rot less and feel great for a long time. Another way is to use plastic containers, small trays that can be hermetically buried. Be sure to check fruits regularly, remove fruits with signs of spoilage in a timely manner.

On the balcony

It is recommended to send plums to the balcony in cardboard boxes. If there is time, wrap each fruit with paper (newspaper), this will protect against adverse external influences and extend the shelf life. In severe frosts, if the balcony is cold, it is better to bring it indoors.

In the cellar

Storage in the cellar has several advantages - stable temperature, low humidity. The main rule is to regularly review fruits, remove fruits with signs of decay or dry spots. As a container, use cardboard boxes, containers.

In the freezer

The easiest way to prolong the life of useful fruits is to send them to the freezer. There are two options for storing fruit - remove the bones beforehand or freeze whole.

Stoneless

Stoneless fruits are used to make desserts, pastries, fruit sauces. Be sure to rinse the fruits, dry on a soft towel, cut or divide into halves with your hands, remove the seeds. Lay in a single layer on a wide baking sheet, freeze (turn several times during freezing), transfer to a container.

With bones

Before freezing, even if the stones will not be removed, it is also recommended to wash the fruit. After drying, place in containers (do not tamp), leave to freeze in the freezer.

Processing plums for long-term winter storage

Besides freezing or storing fresh fruit in a cool place, there are some easy ways to stockpile plums for the winter. Each of them does not require prolonged heat treatment, so you don’t have to worry about the disappearance of nutrients, vitamins are completely preserved.

Drying

Dried plums are an excellent ingredient for dessert, baking. For drying, it is recommended to use special units - an electric dryer, an oven. In summer, the sun's rays will perfectly cope with the process. Before drying, rinse the fruits, divide into particles. It is better to use fruits that are not too juicy, the cooking time will be significantly reduced.

Pickled fruits

There are many recipes for preserving plums. Pickled fruits retain most of the beneficial elements. There are many ways to prepare a delicacy for the winter - steam plums, sterilize, pre-boil in syrup.

Plum in own juice

The favorite recipe of many housewives is fruits in their own juice. To do this, fill the jars with fruit particles, cover with a small amount of sugar, wait until the plums release juice, then, if necessary, add a little boiled water, cork.

Cooking candied fruits

Not too juicy fruits are used to make candied fruits. Sprinkle plentiful pieces of plums with sugar, arrange in one layer on a baking sheet, bring to readiness in the oven at a low temperature. Be sure to stir during the cooking process, make sure that the particles dry out, and do not bake. Cool completely before packaging. Store in containers, tightly close container.

Fruit vacuuming

Vacuum drains are used in industrial production, in stores, at home. The advantages of the method are that the harmful environment does not affect the fruits, the particles do not weather, they are stored longer.For vacuuming, you will need a special device that securely glues the edges of the package, after removing all the air. Be sure to make sure the quality of the packaging, if there is even a tiny hole, the plums will start to deteriorate quite quickly, this process will not be prevented. At home, even after the process, it is recommended to store plums in cool conditions - in the refrigerator, cellar, basement.

Sweet plum in sugar

There is another great way to store fruits - candied. The first stage of preparation is to sprinkle abundantly with sugar, send it to an enameled basin, wait until the sweet crystals are completely dissolved. Put the plums in clean jars, refill with sugar, immediately send to a cool room, after sealing the containers hermetically.

Duration of storage of delicacies - up to a year. Use to make sweets, as a filling in pies, prepare desserts.

Plum fruits are enjoyed by adults and children, fruits are universal - they go well not only with pastry, but even with meat or vegetables. Following the rules of storage, it will be easy to feast on fragrant and juicy yummy during the frosty winter, which will give the body an abundance of vitamins and nutrients.

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