How and where to store zucchini correctly?

One of the features of zucchini is its long shelf life. In order for the fruit to retain its taste characteristics and be stored for the entire potential period, it must first be examined and prepared. Overripe, damaged, frozen or zucchini with the first signs of decay should not be stored. In addition, not all of these cases are usable. For example, frozen fruits completely change their taste and spoil the impression of the dish.

The nuances of storing zucchini:

• the longest stored zucchini, the size of which does not exceed 45 cm (the skin should be firm and not pierced with a fingernail when trying to pick it out);
• zucchini are stored better and longer, the stalk of which is at least 5 cm (if the stalk is shorter, then the bacteria will penetrate the zucchini pulp faster and the fruit will deteriorate ahead of time);
• zucchini does not need to be washed before storing (this will shorten the shelf life);
• it is necessary to remove dirt from the zucchini as carefully as possible (with the slightest damage to the skin, the fruit will be stored less);
• it is not recommended to store zucchini next to heating devices (in addition, high air humidity also negatively affects the safety of zucchini);
• to improve storage conditions, zucchini is recommended to be wrapped in paper or newspaper;
• when storing several zucchini, the fruits must be placed so that they do not come into contact with each other;
• nylon stockings can be used to store small zucchini (if you put the fruit in a stocking and place it in a suspended state, it will keep freshness for more than one month);
• zucchini are well stored in cardboard boxes (there must be a distance between the fruits or they must be separated with paper);
• zucchini ripen at home, therefore, the longer the fruit is stored, the thicker its skin becomes and the more tasteless the pulp;
• zucchini with signs of disease or spots of unknown origin on the skin is not recommended to be stored (bacteria will develop rapidly, and the fruit will either deteriorate or harm health after eating it);
• in an apartment, zucchini are well stored in closets or in dark areas (for example, under the bed);
• Zucchini may become bitter and crumbly after cooking if stored improperly.

Zucchini of medium ripeness are suitable for long-term storage. If the fruit is young, then the juice from its pulp will be actively spent on seed growth, as a result of which the zucchini will lose a significant part of its taste. If the zucchini is overripe, then after a while it will either deteriorate or become so hard that it will be extremely difficult to eat it.

At what temperature and how much to store zucchini

The optimum temperature for storing zucchini is between +4 and +10 degrees. The standard shelf life of fruits is 3-4 months. Subject to all storage rules, this figure can be increased for several more months. If the zucchini is stored at 0 degrees, then its safety must be periodically checked and not allowed to rot or overripe.

Small squash or very young fruits can be stored for 3 weeks. Conditions in this case do not play a significant role. The shelf life will not change if you place them in the refrigerator or keep them indoors. It is recommended to store such zucchini at room temperature for the first 2-3 days, and then (if you do not plan to eat them) put them in the refrigerator.

In the refrigerator (in the vegetable compartment), the zucchini may not be stored for too long. The maximum period in this case is weeks. It is recommended to store zucchini in the refrigerator only if they are young and their skin is thin. At a temperature of +5 degrees (usually this indicator is traditional for all models of refrigerators in the vegetable compartment), it is better to store zucchini in a plastic bag with pre-drilled holes.

Zucchini can be frozen… They are stored in the freezer for several months without changing their texture and taste. Before freezing, the fruits are peeled, seeds removed and cut into small cubes. The preform is placed in a plastic bag or container and sent to the freezer before being eaten. You cannot defrost zucchini again. After freezing, the fruits can be used for cooking any dishes and subjected to any heat treatment.