Root vegetables have a long shelf life, everyone knows that. But the tubers have their own ideas about how they prefer to be bedded during the waiting period. If these are not met, they shrivel up within a few days or even let mold get to them. It shouldn't be like that.

Carrots should be kept in the crisper without greens

recognize good quality

If you buy carrots, often also called carrots, properly in the shop, you will benefit from them for longer. Carrots are usually sold in bunches or in a plastic bag or plastic bowl. Rarely are all the roots used at once and some of them need to be stored indoors for a few days or more. They stay fresher longer if they enter the house in the following state:

  • crisp and plump
  • without bad spots
  • without mold
  • without green discolored heads
  • as a bunch: with fresh green

Remove the plastic wrap

Plastic packaging makes carrots go moldy faster because it doesn't allow air exchange. When the carrots sweat due to temperature fluctuations, the moisture has nowhere to escape, much to the delight of mold spores. At the latest after purchase, this unsuitable packaging should end up in the yellow bag.

Various storage options

At room temperature, carrots become unsightly after just a few days. In order to keep their freshness longer, they need a dark, cool and slightly damp place.

  • store in the fridge
  • or in the basement in a sandbox
  • in a container of water
  • or in the freezer

Store the carrots in the vegetable drawer

Keeping carrots in the fridge is the most common storage method.

  • Remove the green from the bunched carrots
  • Wrap the carrots in a wet kitchen towel
  • put in the vegetable drawer

tips

Do not store near apples, pears or ripe tomatoes. Their ripening gas, ethylene, accelerates the aging of carrots.

Preserve carrots with sand

Large quantities of carrots that don't fit in the vegetable compartment or that need to be kept for a longer period of time are in good hands in a wooden box filled with sand.

  • Cover the bottom of the box with sand
  • spread a layer of carrots on top
  • cover with a new layer of sand
  • layer more carrots
  • top layer should be sand

The box is stored in a cool basement or other cool place. The carrots can be used as needed.

Keep carrots fresh with water

Carrots are also said to keep well for a long time if placed in a tin and covered with water. Seal it tightly and put it in the fridge. The water is changed after a few days.

Freeze

Blanched carrot pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Defrosted carrots, however, are limp and are only suitable for cooking.

durability

Carrots can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. In a sandbox, the roots even last until spring of the following year. Soft carrots are placed in water and after a while they become crisp again.

Conclusion for fast readers

  • Fresh carrots: The fresher the carrots, the longer they can be kept at home
  • Quality features: crunchy roots; without rotten spots, mold or green heads
  • Bunched carrots: Bunched carrots should still be green and not wilted
  • Plastic packaging: It prevents air exchange and must be removed as soon as possible, otherwise there is a risk of mold
  • Storage alternatives: crisper in fridge; sandbox in the basement; containers with water; freezer
  • Fridge: Remove greens from carrots and wrap in a damp kitchen towel; put in the vegetable drawer
  • Tip: Do not store next to apples, pears and ripe tomatoes, otherwise carrots will spoil faster
  • Sand: Alternately layer sand and carrots in a wooden box; cool; Remove carrots as needed
  • Water: cover carrots with water; put container in refrigerator; change the water after a few days
  • Freezing: Blanched carrots can be frozen for a year; thawed they are only good for cooking
  • Shelf Life: Up to two weeks in the refrigerator; in sand for months/until spring of the following year

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden