How to keep fresh green onions in the refrigerator for a long time

Green onions are a source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, which are so lacking in the cold season.

However, the maximum benefit can only be obtained from fresh feathers.

Read about how and under what conditions to keep green onions in the refrigerator so that they stay fresh as long as possible, read the article.

Storage preparation

Before sending greens for storage, need to prepare properly.

1. Go through the stems, removing all damaged elements.
2. Rinse the onion in warm water. Even if it looks clean on the outside, this does not mean that it is free of dust, soil and pathogens.

   It is convenient to use a large saucepan or bowl for washing. Water is collected in it and the feathers are immersed entirely.

   It is not recommended to wash them under the tap, as they can be injured under the powerful pressure of water.

3. Dry the herbs on a paper towel.
4. If the onion will be stored as a whole, then you can not wash it, but simply wipe it with a damp cloth to remove particles of soil and dust. Natural wax coating protects the product from premature deterioration, therefore it is not recommended to remove it.

For storage, you need to choose bright and juicy feathers, light green in color. They should not be damaged, creased, or damaged.

How to store so that the greens remain juicy as long as possible?

There are several ways to store onions in the refrigerator. To do this, use:

• plastic bags,
• containers,
• paper,
• glass jars.

Depending on the container chosen, the shelf life of the product will differ. If you want to know how to save green onions for the winter, read this publication.

In packages

In polyethylene (in a bag or in cling film), onions remain fresh for about 30 days, but care must be taken to ensure that moisture does not accumulate in it. To evaporate condensate in the film, use a toothpick to make several holes.

Before rolling the onion in plastic, keep it in the refrigerator. The package itself is placed there for cooling. If they are at the same temperature, much less condensation will form.

No need to wash or cut the stems... They are placed entirely in cellophane.The filled bags are tied and stacked in a vegetable drawer.

In containers

It is convenient to store onions in containers. They are hermetically sealed and do not take up much space in the refrigerator. Vacuum pumping helps to extend the shelf life of the product by several weeks. In this form, the greens remain fresh for a month.

Procedure:

• rinse the container from the inside, wipe with a paper towel and dry;
• cut the greens and fill the container 2/3, if it is large, then the onions can be laid with whole feathers in a circle, making sure that no creases are formed on it;
• close the container with a lid and pump out the air;
• put the container in the refrigerator.

Housewives store greens not only in vacuum, but also in ordinary containers. However, the shelf life of the product is then reduced to 15 days.

In paper

This method allows the greens to stay fresh for up to 1.5-2 months. You need to act strictly according to the instructions:

1. Soak the stems in moisture by placing their lower ends in cool, clean water. If the onion was recently removed from the garden, then 10 minutes is enough for it to "get drunk". In other cases, it is left in water for an hour.
2. Separately soak gauze or cotton cloth with water and wring out. It should be damp, not wet.
3. Put the shoots on the bottom of the cheesecloth and wrap it in several layers.
4. The paper is laid out on the table. A bundle is placed in it and wrapped so that it does not open. As a result, 2 layers are obtained. One will retain moisture, preventing the onion from drying out, and the second will be responsible for ventilation of the feathers.
5. To prevent the paper from slipping, you can fix it with a thread. In this form, the onion is removed to the refrigerator.

In glass

Another convenient way to store onions is in a glass jar. Whole feathers are placed in it, closed with a nylon lid and put into the refrigerator. In this form, the greens remain fresh for a month.

Not only whole, but also cut feathers are stored in glass. To prevent the product from spoiling, proceed as follows:

• wash, dry and cut onions;
• the jar is sterilized, or doused with boiling water;
• cut greens are placed in it, the layers must be sprinkled with salt;
• 1 kg of onion will require 250 g of salt;
• close the jar with a nylon lid and put it in the refrigerator.

Salted onions can be stored in a jar for up to 6 months. In this form, it is convenient to use for preparing salads and hot dishes.

In the freezer

In the freezer, the shelf life of onions increases to a year. Wherein greens practically do not lose their beneficial properties, but their taste characteristics slightly deteriorate.

It becomes less aromatic and does not crunch after defrosting. In the freezer, onions are stored both whole feathers and chopped.

In cellophane bags

You can store whole greens in the bag. Proceed as follows:

1. Feathers are soaked in warm water for 3 minutes and then gently rinsed.
2. Their roots are cut off, if any.
3. Shake the stems to remove excess moisture.
4. Spread the onion in one layer on a paper towel. Leave to dry completely.
5. Wrap the plant in plastic wrap or in a bag so that you get a long roll.
6. Put away for storage in the freezer.

If desired, the onion can be chopped and poured into a bag. At the same time, it must be laid out in an even thin layer. It is convenient to break off pieces of the required size from such a plate without defrosting the bulk. Do not store herbs in the same compartment as fish and meat.

In ice cube trays

For the purpose of subsequent heat treatment onions harvested in ice trays:

• wash and grind greens;
• lay it out in ice molds;
• pour greens with water, add very little liquid, it should be less than onions;
• remove the molds in the freezer for several hours;
• take out frozen onion cubes, put them in bags and send them for permanent storage.

How long does it last?

Greens keep well in the refrigerator. At a temperature of + 3 ... + 4 degrees, it remains fresh for 2-3 weeks.

At a temperature of about 0 degrees, its shelf life increases to 1-2 months. If you grind the product and sprinkle it with salt, then you can store it for up to six months.

Onions are stored in the freezer for a long time. It remains edible throughout the year. If the greens have been crushed, covered with water or olive oil, then they must be used within 6 months.

Helpful information

The following tips will help keep the product fresh:

1. The less time has passed from the moment the onions were removed from the garden to being sent to the refrigerator, the better. This will keep the maximum vitamins in it.
2. You cannot crumple and break feathers. All damaged parts are best removed immediately.
3. The stems with roots that were not cut off, but torn out of the ground, are stored longer.
4. You cannot keep the bow open. In the fresh air, it quickly gives off moisture and deteriorates.
5. The small bulbs at the ends of the feathers do not need to be trimmed. When stored in the refrigerator, they are simply wrapped in a damp cloth and fixed with thread.

A lot of useful information about onion storage can be found here.

Conclusion

Keeping fresh green onions in the refrigerator is easy. There are many ways to extend its shelf life. It is enough to observe three basic conditions: to protect the product from contact with oxygen, to prevent condensation and to store only selected greens without signs of spoilage.