How to store leeks at home

Leek is an unusual vegetable that can improve even the most weakened health. Unlike other vegetable crops, leek during storage not only does not lose its vitamins, but also greatly increases them. The longer the leek is stored, the more useful it becomes. This vegetable has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and diuretic properties. Regular consumption improves the gallbladder and intestines. Leek is one of the best folk remedies for strong immunity during the flu and colds season.

Leek unpretentious in growing, without labor and effort gives a good harvest. However, not all gardeners know how to save leek in order to use fresh greens throughout the winter.

How to prepare onions for storage

Before removing the onion for storage, you need to prepare it. Harvesting usually takes place in the month of October.Despite the fact that the leek is not afraid of small frosts, try to gather onions before the onset of the first frost. In order not to damage the lower part of the vegetable, you should dig the leek and not pull it out. Slightly pick a piece of land with a crop with a shovel and remove the onion with the root. Carefully shake the ground, especially carefully so that the ground does not fall between the green leaves. Roots should be cut before harvesting. Be careful not to damage the onion base - it will not last long. The root should be cut so that one third of it remains. In this form, the vegetable will be stored much longer.

There are many questions and disputes about whether to cut the green leaves. If you want to increase the shelf life of the vegetable, the leaves should not be cut in any case. It is enough to remove the dry parts.

How to keep leek fresh

If you want to enjoy winter fresh green leeks, there are many ways to keep it in its original form.

1. In the box. The most popular way to store a leek is to store it in a sandbox. So that in the box there are no pests that can eat leek, the sand must first be heated. This can be done simply in the oven.Put sand on a baking sheet and hold it in a hot oven at a temperature of 200 degrees for at least half an hour. When the sand has cooled, add some clean water to it. Sand for onions should be slightly damp. Wet, but not wet, otherwise the onion roots will rot. At the bottom of the box pour a little sand (about 7-8 cm), then lay out the leek in an oblique view. Sprinkle the onions on top so that the whole white part is under the sand. The box is closed with a lid and sent to a damp and cool room. If there is no suitable box at hand, it is very convenient to use a simple bucket. The optimal storage temperature is about 0 degrees, humidity - 80-85%. Such conditions may be in the basement, cellar, on the balcony. If you keep the leek on the balcony, wrap the box in an old quilt to protect the vegetable from frost.
2. On the bed. If you live in the country, you have a plot or a small vegetable garden, you can save leek in the garden. To do this, you need to dig a small, but deep enough hole. Onions should fit in this hole almost completely (upright). Into the prepared hole, lower the leek and sprinkle it with earth.When the first cold comes, sprinkle leek with dry leaves. To protect the vegetable from rodents, place a branch of a coniferous tree on top. This smell will mask and scare away uninvited guests. As necessary, you can dig a few onions, rinse it and use. However, making such blanks, do not forget to mark the place where you made the stocks. This will facilitate the search process in the winter.
3. In the greenhouse. In principle, a greenhouse can be installed above a growing leek, it is not even necessary to dig it out. However, such a leek can continue to grow, become tough and tasteless. To stop the growth of the vegetable, but keep it for long months, you need to dig it up, cut off the roots to one third of their length. Then plant the onion again - dropping it in the ground in half. Above leek collect greenhouse, the temperature inside which should not fall below 0 degrees.
4. In the trench. At the site you need to dig a trench in the width of 5-7 cm. The trench is usually done on an elevated site in order to protect against high humidity. Onions need to be laid in the furrows, sprinkle with a small amount of earth and cover with boards. It must be ensured that there are small ventilation holes between the boards. In rainy and frosty weather you need to cover the trench with a film.

These simple, but proven ways to help you save a storehouse of vitamins throughout the winter. Onions harvested by the above methods can be stored for up to 7 months.

How to keep leek at home

However, it is not always possible to dig a trench or make a greenhouse. Especially if you live in an apartment building and the maximum that you can count on is a balcony. Do not despair! Save the benefits of leeks can be at home.

1. In a refrigerator. Take the most good and solid onion heads. Rinse well and dry thoroughly. This is very important, otherwise excess moisture can lead to rotting of the product. Onions need to be cut and put in a plastic bag. Fill the sealed bag with air and tightly tie a hole. Thus onions can be stored for about a month. In addition, it is very convenient to use - opened and added to the right amount of food.
2. In the freezer. Frozen foods, while not preserving the original consistency of the product, but completely preserve its beneficial properties. Leek before freezing should be washed and dried, cut into desired pieces and freeze.Pre-distribute the onion into portions so that it is easy to defrost.
3. Drying. Leek can also be dried. For this, the prepared vegetable is cut and left on the kitchen table for several days. Cover the leek with gauze so that flies and other insects do not like the product. If you want to speed up the drying process, send onion slices to the oven. 15 minutes at 100 degrees will be quite enough. Store dried onion rings should be in a sealed container in a dry and cool place. It is most convenient to use glass jars for storage.
4. Salting. Some hostesses cook pickled onion, which may well claim to be an independent snack. The green leaves of leeks should be washed and put into a deep enameled bowl. The leaves are poured with brine (three tablespoons of salt per liter of warm water), pepper is added, bay leaf and other spices to taste. Salted onions should be put under pressure for a week. After this, the onion is transferred to glass jars and put into the refrigerator. Pickled onions can be served as an independent snack or used as an ingredient for salads.

These methods will help you prepare and preserve onions in the apartment.

Leek - undeservedly forgotten vegetable, which has recently been used less and less. But our ancestors knew that regular consumption of a leek provides good immunity and good health. That is why in the villages the best bed was set aside for leek. Let's not neglect the experience of ancestors. Eat leek more often, grow it, and most importantly, learn to store it in order to delight the body with vitamins all year round!

Video: how to grow and save leeks