Well prepared, red cabbage can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the cellar. Here is, how you can store red cabbage best.
Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. rubra) is a classic winter vegetable and should not be missing in any garden. The popular cabbage tastes really delicious with duck, goose and game. Like white cabbage, red cabbage can be stored for a long time after harvesting under optimal conditions. You have the option of storing the tasty cabbage in the freezer, cellar or refrigerator. Before storing red cabbage, you should thoroughly clean the cabbage head and remove damaged leaves.
Preparing red cabbage for storage
Before storing, it is important to clean the red cabbage:
- Use a dry rag or your hand to rub off the roughest dirt.
- Remove damaged, dirty and rotten leaves.
- Check if the cabbage is infested with pests and remove them.
When cleaning the cabbage, refrain from using water. This will speed up the spoilage process. Always use gloves when processing red cabbage, as it stains heavily.
Storing red cabbage: refrigerator, cellar or freezer?
After cleaning, you can store your red cabbage. A place that is dark, cold and dry is the best place to store cabbage, as it will stay fresh for a particularly long time.
Storage in the refrigerator
The longest way to store red cabbage you have harvested yourself or bought is to keep it as a whole. Stored this way, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to four weeks. Check the cabbage regularly for rotten spots and remove them.
If you store your cabbage chopped or blanched in the refrigerator, the maximum storage time is reduced to a few days. So you should eat it as soon as possible.
Storage in the cellar
If you have enough space in your vegetable or fruit cellar, you can store red cabbage there, preferably in one piece and hanging. At ideal temperatures of 2 °C / 36 °F, the cabbage will keep for up to six months, which is considerably longer than if it is stored in the refrigerator.
Freezing red cabbage
If you want to freeze red cabbage, you should clean the cabbage head thoroughly beforehand and cut it into small strips. Blanch the cabbage in hot water for a few minutes to save space. Then drain it well and put the cabbage leaves into freezer bags. The prepared red cabbage will keep in the freezer for at least six months.
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