How to properly store onions in winter - preparation for storage

Is it allowed and how much?

Onions in the kitchen can be at room temperature and low humidity , but such conditions are favorable for germination.
The temperature in the refrigerator is on average from +1°C to +3°C. This is the optimal indicator for storage, allowing you to keep onions without sprouting, and even keep them in a peeled state.

But there are also some disadvantages to using a refrigerator as a storage area for vegetables:

short shelf life;
it will not be possible to place large volumes;
If storage is carried out without packaging, then the specific smell will permeate all the products.

In the vegetable compartment, onions are best preserved wrapped in a bag or placed in a plastic container.

The need to put onions in the refrigerator may arise when, after preparing a dish, there is excess product left, in some cases even already peeled and chopped.

If you properly package and store whole onions, they can last 30-60 days in the refrigerator.

You will find a lot of useful and important information about storing onions here.

About varieties

In addition to knowing how to store onions, you should pay attention to the type of fruit itself. Southern varieties (sweet) are not recommended. After a few months they simply germinate. Acute types of root vegetables last from 9 to 11 months. By following the rules of proper collection and preparation, the period increases.

Remember! Onion varieties that ripen in summer are not suitable for wintering. Late onions will last best, since they contain a lot of essential oil, which causes tears when cutting.

Spicy varieties capable of long-term storage:

Arzamas.
Balakleevsky.
Krasnoyarsk.

READ MORE: Decorating a balcony and loggia for a winter garden

Semi-sharp, stored a little less than the previous ones:

Kaba.
Golden ball.
Red Samarkand.

Sweet types with a minimum shelf life:

Spanish.
Dungan.
Yalta.

Types of onions

Several types of onions are used in cooking. Basic:

Bulb onions
shallot
Leek
Batun
Schnitt
Slime

From these species, onions and shallots form bulbs that are eaten. Shallot has the popular names kushchevka (Ukraine), family (Russia, Moldova). Therefore they have similar properties. Shallots can be stored longer without sprouting. It can withstand lower temperatures more easily.

In other species, leaves (feathers) are more often used. They grow in bushes. Schnitt and slime are often used as ornamental plants. Many gardeners do not even know that the leaves of these flowers can be eaten.

Leeks are more similar in appearance to garlic; they have large, flat leaves folded along the vein.

Onions contain vitamins B, C, E. minerals sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, fluorine, manganese. 100 g of onion contains 88 g of water, 11 g of carbohydrates, proteins, pectins, folic acid, antioxidants. Calorie content of 100 g of onion is 43 kcal.

Onions are used raw as a seasoning for vegetables and added to first and second courses. Onions do not lose their taste and energy values during heat treatment. Therefore, it is fried along with other vegetables, meat, fish, and mushrooms.

Variety selection

How to store onions? What varieties of onions are suitable for storage? Now breeders all over the world are working on new types of onions, so it is very difficult to describe all varieties. Let's consider the varieties that have earned the trust of gardeners in our country:

Stuttgarter Risen - a variety bred by breeders from Germany, has become popular throughout the world. The variety is early ripening, the bulb is quite large, weighing up to 150 g. It is valued for its high yield and long storage. Stuttgarter is unpretentious and is not afraid of downy mildew.
Centurion and Sturon - these varieties, which are a selection of Stuttgarter, are also stored well and for a long time. Sturon is a round bulb, but Centurion has a more elongated shape. Both species are also valued for their thinner neck, which dries out faster, preventing the entry of pathogens of various diseases.
Orion is a species, the result of the work of English breeders. The fruit is large, the weight of one root crop reaches 200 g. The variety ripens quite early, which is quite important for the inhabitants of Siberia. Here Orion is preferred even to the previous ones.
Bastion is a mid-season variety; it is grown in almost all corners of our country, with the exception of the southern regions. The bulb has a flat-round shape. The scales of this species are dry and very dense, which is important for storage.
Yalta onion is a sweet type, very popular in Crimea. Only the inhabitants of the peninsula know how to store it correctly and for a long time. Onions are valued for their taste.
Arzamas local is a species introduced by breeders of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Two to three bulbs grow in the nests. This root vegetable has a pungent taste. The fruits are small and round. It has good resistance to pests. Stores perfectly.
Bessonovsky local is a long-known type of spicy onion. The bulbs grow in groups - 4 - 5 in a nest, weighing 50 g each. The scales that cover the bulb are juicy and yellow and white in color. This onion contains a lot of dry matter, and this is a significant factor during long-term storage.
Red Baron is a representative of the red onion. The variety ripens early and you can get a good harvest. The fruits are small, only 60–80 g, but quite dense. The species is valued for its high content of vitamin C. Of the red varieties, Red Baron is recognized as the best for winter storage.
Alvina is a young variety, developed by Russian breeders. The root vegetables are flat, have an original purple color, mid-season, the weight of one bulb is 80 - 90 g.
Albion is also an interesting variety, but these bulbs are already white and weigh up to 130 g each. Medium early species. Medium shelf life, semi-sharp taste.
Hercules F1 is also a mid-early variety with round roots. The advantage of this species is that it tolerates drought well due to its powerful root system.

You can learn how to choose onions for long-term storage from the video:

Is it possible to save?

More often, onions are stored at room temperature, but in such conditions they may germinate prematurely.
The optimal temperature for storage is from +1 to +3 °C (just the same as on the refrigerator shelves).

Therefore, we conclude: it is possible and even necessary to store onions in the refrigerator, it is only important to organize everything correctly.

What problems can you encounter during storage?

Every summer resident wants not only to harvest the crop, but also to preserve it for as long as possible. Some problems may arise during the storage process, which can be avoided if you are aware of them.

Why onions can rot

Many people face this problem. There are several factors that can cause rotting:

Improper cleaning. If the bulbs have been mechanically damaged and not removed from the general mass, the affected area can become a source of disease. At the same time, healthy vegetables located next to it will also suffer.
Storage conditions. If the room temperature changes, this can cause condensation to form, which promotes rot. At high temperatures and humidity, onions begin to sprout and rot. If the temperature is too low, the bulbs freeze and when thawed they also begin to rot.
Variety selection. If you are going to grow a large crop, then for long-term storage choose late-ripening varieties with increased shelf life.

If you have already noticed that the onion has begun to rot, it is recommended to sort it out, remove all excess scales, dry it again if possible and well ventilate the room in which it is stored.

You can additionally sprinkle the bulbs with crushed chalk, which will absorb unnecessary moisture. Take 200 g of chalk per 10 kg of onion.

What to do if midges appear over onions

Onion midges can appear from improper storage of various products, including onions. They pose no harm to humans, but being around them is unpleasant in any case. It is not difficult to distinguish them from other insects; they are small in size, from 1 to 3 mm, and have a yellow-brown color.

There are several ways to combat onion midges:

First of all, be sure to sort through all the onions and throw away spoiled vegetables.
Use sticky fly traps.
Place pine needles or cotton wool soaked in essential oil next to the onion.
Place an open bottle of unfinished wine or sweet drink into which midges will fly. Then close it and throw it away.
Midges do not tolerate the smell of camphor, garlic or cloves. Place cloves of garlic nearby or heat a little camphor in a frying pan, creating a kind of “smoking”.

The onions began to sprout

There are several reasons why onions sprout during storage:

with the onset of spring, natural processes are activated;
storage in a warm room with high humidity;
The thick neck of the bulb can contain a large amount of moisture, which also promotes germination.

At the first signs of germination, remove the bulbs to a room with a lower temperature, this will slow down the growth process or stop it completely.

If you store onions in cardboard boxes with a closed lid, a favorable microclimate is created there, thanks to which the onions are stored longer and do not germinate.

Medicinal properties of onions

Onion is a medicine that helps with many diseases:

The high percentage of iron in onions allows it to be used to treat anemia; mineral salts regulate the water-salt balance. Eating a small amount of onion increases appetite and strengthens the immune system.
It is used as a protective or therapeutic agent for colds. The essential substances that make up onions fight germs, viruses and bacteria. Sulfur relaxes the muscles of the respiratory tract, preventing the formation of phlegm and asthma attacks.
Onion juice mixed with warm water relieves swelling in the throat and fights cough. It disinfects the oral cavity, preventing the formation of caries and gum inflammation.
Onions lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and prevent heart attacks. It prevents the formation of blood clots, which is why it is used to treat thrombophlebitis. It is used as a diuretic.
Fructooligosaccharides, which are found in onions, help reduce the risk of cancer in the rectum.
Onion juice is used to treat ear diseases. But you need to be careful not to damage the delicate tissues of the middle ear. Dilute the juice with warm water.
Chopped onions are used to remove warts and calluses. Manifestations of dermatitis may disappear if you lubricate them with onion juice.
Onions are used to treat diabetes. Chromium and its antioxidants reduce sugar levels and increase insulin production. Onions are used in various diets for weight loss. It is included in dishes and not used separately. The juice has an aggressive effect on the stomach.
Folic acid helps relieve depression. Its consumption causes the production of serotonin, which is called the hormone of happiness.

People with stomach ulcers and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys should not consume raw onions in large quantities.

Onions are used in cosmetology. Its juice is used to treat baldness, seborrhea, and hair loss. For treatment, rub onion juice into the hair roots. A face mask removes wrinkles, age spots and freckles.

Preparing to store onions

Onions can be stored in the refrigerator in several ways, taking into account the condition of the product, its type and the volume occupied. Vegetables that were collected on time and dried well are preserved better than others.

During the harvesting process, the roots should not be damaged, nor the bulbs themselves. It is most convenient to dry the onions in the open air, avoiding exposure to sunlight. Another option is to tie it and hang it in bunches.

After drying, the vegetable should be completely dry, including the top . Otherwise, the vegetable will not be able to be stored for long.

Immediately before storing, the entire volume of vegetables is sorted out, discarding damaged ones. Dried tops and roots are trimmed.

Read about storing onions in a cellar or basement here, at home in winter - here.

Braiding

These braids are used to decorate the kitchen and hang in the pantry or cellar. To braid a braid, leave a 15 cm tail. The first onion is tied to the middle of the rope, and the braid begins. Gradually, on each side, weave one head.

At the end of the braid, a loop is made for hanging. The benefit of such storage is thorough ventilation to prevent rotting.

How to choose onions?

You need to remove onions and shallots from the garden after their feathers have turned yellow and fallen to the ground. Shallots ripen first. This occurs approximately in mid-July - early August and depends on climatic conditions. If you are late in harvesting, the roots of the bulbs may grow back another time, which will spoil the presentation and taste.

Do not harvest onions immediately after rain or when the soil in the garden bed is wet. I dry it in the garden or in a well-ventilated room. When the bulbs are dry, tear off or trim off the dried feathers and roots. Do not trim wet bulbs because they may rot.

When choosing onion bulbs for storage, look at the integrity of their skin.

It should be dry and shiny, the onion should be dry and hard. Do not take onions that have sprouted (the presence of green leaves is noticeable) or are pressed when pressed. Leeks are valued for the lower part of the stem. It does not form bulbs. The softer and juicier part is closer to the roots. It should be white and undamaged. Batun onion is valued for its green feather. It must be fresh, not damaged or withered. The lower part of the white color (the rudiments of the bulb) is also used.

Emergency care for the initial stage of decay

To prevent diseases and rotting of onions, simply follow all the recommendations: correct preparation, temperature, humidity, fresh air circulation, suitable containers and storage location.

What to do if the onion still begins to rot? Is the harvest really lost and all efforts gone down the drain? Of course, there is a way out of this situation.

You can try to save a partially rotten or diseased onion. To do this, remove the layer of husk at the site of infection. You can try to “undress” the bulb completely. During the laying process, it will again be covered with healthy husks and will become suitable for further planting.

Thus, storing seedlings is a whole science. Only compliance with all the rules and conditions guarantees the successful preservation of the crop and its protection from damage.

Onions are a unique plant, so unpretentious in growth and care, and so delicate when stored.

He, like all living things, needs protection and care. However, with proper processing, storage and planting, onions will give a new harvest that will delight you with its abundance.

At what temperature should it be stored in the cellar and apartment?

Most often, onions are stored either in basements or in apartments.

In the cellar

The optimal temperature for long-term storage of onions in the cellar is about 0 degrees Celsius for semi-sweet types and about -3 for spicier ones.

The ideal humidity for this type of vegetable is about 80%.

In the apartment

If you decide to store onions in an apartment, then choose a room for it where the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius and the humidity is around 70%. Good ventilation is also important for the onion, otherwise it will “suffocate” and begin to rot. If the air in your home is too dry, cover the crop with prepared husks. If, on the contrary, the humidity is very high, you should add special absorbents to the containers with onions, which will absorb its excess. Typically sawdust or ash is used for these purposes.

How to store onions at home

Novice gardeners are interested in how to properly store onions. Packaging containers are selected for the prepared product.

Onion storage container

The following products are suitable for packaging:

Mesh: provides good ventilation, viewing, tracking of spoilage.
Nylon tights: a method inherited from grandmothers.
Bag: packaged in a 30-centimeter layer.
Perforated cardboard box, wooden box, paper bag: make holes for ventilation with a hole punch or awl.
Wicker basket: made from eco-friendly material, it is ventilated and beautiful.

Before harvesting onions for the winter, it is advisable to dry the vegetable at a temperature of +25 °C under natural conditions or in the pantry.

Storage in the pantry, on the balcony

It is important to figure out how to properly store onions until spring in the basement and pantry, on the balcony. Onion varieties determine storage features. The lower the storage temperature, the spicier the onion will be. It is advisable to store the spicy vegetable on the loggia in boxes, wrapped in old unnecessary things.

On a cold balcony you can store crops at temperatures dropping to -6 °C. It is useful to consider the temperature at night. Vegetables are stored on a warm loggia during the winter. Use suitable packaging containers. To preserve onions until spring, use the following methods:

in bulk: in a 30-centimeter layer on pallets made of boards, shelves with holes for ventilation;
special meshes;
containers that are covered with a blanket;
fabric bags;
fagots and braids suspended from the ceiling.

Turnips are not afraid of cold and temperatures below 0 °C. The Yalta variety is stored suspended under the ceiling in bundles. Good air circulation is ensured, damaged tubers are visible. The Yalta red variety is stored less when compared with conventional varieties: it is determined by the degree of drying.

Carefully choose the place to store vegetables. I wonder if it is possible to store onions in the cellar? When storing onions in the basement, whitewash the wall coverings with lime in advance and ventilate the room.

The maximum height of containers - boxes and boxes - is 30 cm, punctures are required for air exchange. It is prohibited to store products in polyethylene bags, which do not allow air to pass through and cause rotting.

In onion braids, which perfectly complement the interior of the house, the harvested crop is stored in the apartment. If there is increased dampness in the basement, reduce the air humidity. Place dishes with ash, shavings, and containers with lime that absorb condensate well.

How to store onions in the refrigerator

Some housewives prefer storing onions in the refrigerator. When there are few onions, they are placed in the vegetable department. Possible storage in the freezer. Requires packaging in cling film or cellophane film. When choosing this method you must:

peel the bulbs, remove scales;
cut the peeled vegetable into cubes;
Pack in portions in tight small bags or containers:
place in the freezer.

You can add the bulbs to vegetable mixtures for storage in the freezer.

Frozen onions can be stored for up to 6 months at a temperature of -18 °C. When the temperature in the freezer is set to -8 °C, the shelf life of onions is reduced by 2 times.

Drying onions

A reliable way to prepare a vitamin product for future use is to dry the vegetable. Added to soup and more, the mixture will give the dish a pleasant aroma and taste. To dry, cut the onions into rings and place them in the oven for 3 hours. It is enough to set the temperature to 60 °C. Store dried onions in hermetically sealed jars for the winter. You are allowed to experiment and prepare a dry fruit mixture with other herbs and vegetables.

Onion preservation

To preserve the onion harvest for the winter, they resort to conservation. The vegetable is just right for pickling. The prepared product has a special taste; it will add piquancy to appetizers and salads. The vegetable can be preserved separately or with peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Balsamic vinegar is suitable for preparing red onions; small heads are not crushed.

Tips and rules for storing onions

The following tips will help you store onions correctly all winter:

In order for the heads to be stored longer, you need to dig up the crop from the garden correctly and on time.
Also important is the preparation of bulbs for storage : high-quality drying, proper pruning of tops and roots.
Before storage, it is necessary to carefully inspect the entire crop; all damaged and diseased specimens must be discarded; not only will they not be able to be stored, but they will also negatively affect healthy heads.
At all stages, the bulbs should be handled carefully ; even the slightest damage will reduce the shelf life.
For longer preservation, it is recommended to initially select and plant later varieties of vegetable crops. By the way, based on many years of observations by experienced gardeners, we can conclude that yellow onions are stored better than white or red ones. Also, spicy varieties are stored better than semi-sweet and sweet varieties (the latter of these are stored the worst).
During the winter, you need to carefully sort and inspect the bulbs once a month , and all specimens with signs of disease, rotting, as well as soft heads must be eliminated. Those bulbs that touched rotting specimens should also be discarded.
When storing crops in a room with high humidity, a container with sawdust or lime, salt, or wood ash next to the vegetables which will act as a sorbent and absorb excess moisture.
If you store onions in conditions with elevated temperatures (about 20-25 degrees Celsius) and dry air, then under no circumstances should you remove dry scales. You can also cover the crop with onion peels to retain moisture.
When storing heads in any container, the layer thickness should be no more than 30 centimeters!
It is believed that fern branches placed next to the crop improve its keeping quality.
To reduce the likelihood of crop rotting, you can lightly dust the heads with chalk.
If you want to prevent the heads from sprouting, you can lime the roots . However, after such manipulation the heads will be unsuitable as planting material.

Saving periods

240 days at a temperature of +18 - +22 degrees Celsius and air humidity 50 - 70%.

Chopped onions can be stored in the freezer for a month .

Yalta onions can be stored for 5 months .

Dried onions in vacuum bags are suitable for food use for a year . If storage conditions are not airtight - from 3 to 9 months .

Conditions and places for storing onions

For storage, onions are placed in places with normal ventilation and in breathable containers. The room temperature is maintained at 0-plus 5 degrees, with humidity not exceeding 80%. At sub-zero temperatures, onions freeze, and at elevated temperatures, they begin to grow.

In addition, heads of different sizes cannot be stored together, so they must be sorted before storing. It is not recommended to leave large onions because they have a short shelf life.

For storage, you are allowed to take wicker baskets and boxes, wooden and plastic boxes with holes made in them. Nets, bags, paper bags and other suitable containers are suitable. If there is no other room besides the apartment, then the onions are placed in closets, on mezzanines, in the pantry, on an insulated balcony and in other dark places.

If the storage location is a cellar, the onions will be stored at a temperature no higher than + 4 degrees with a humidity of no lower than 75% and, most importantly, with reliable ventilation. It is recommended to hang the bulbs or place them in boxes. To pour, take dry sawdust, chalk, sand, onion peels or dried grass.

Choose a storage room that is not hot, with a temperature no higher than 22 degrees and a humidity no lower than 70. The main condition for preserving onions is darkness, where direct sunlight does not penetrate.

Storing in braids

Many housewives store onions in braids that are woven in 4 rows.

The advantage of such storage is that the onions are well ventilated in the braids, so they practically do not rot.

How to make braids from a bow:

You will need bulbs of the same size and a strong rope. Onion stems are not cut, but dried.
The rope is folded in half, and the stem of the first onion is threaded into it, which is wrapped with the ends of the rope.
Then, at intervals, the second, third and other onions are added, the tails of which are wrapped around the rope. To secure the bulbs firmly, the stems are wrapped around the rope in a figure eight (infinity sign).
In this way, one onion is attached above the other, and a four-row weaving is obtained.

If you don’t have the time or desire to braid hair, just fold the bulbs into nylon tights. In braids and tights, every onion will be visible, so you can detect and remove the rotting one in time.

Which variety of set to choose depends on whether you will plant it in spring or autumn

There are two planting periods - before winter and in spring.

for winter planting
: Stuttgarter, Centurion, Hercules, Troy, Radar. The optimal size of the bulbs is 8–21 mm. In this case, you will receive both greens and a good early marketable bulb by mid-July.

It is not recommended to plant too large a seed before winter; it will only produce greens and arrows.

for planting in spring
, but pay attention to the size (fraction). For spring, the optimal fraction is 14–21 mm. A finer fraction (8–14 mm) with poor soil and lack of care will produce an onion that is too small.

If you rarely visit your summer cottage, your fraction is 21–24 mm. When planted in spring, it will give a good harvest without much effort. But it is better to use proven varieties and hybrids that will not shoot (Hercules, Centurion, Stuttgarter), or warm up the onions before planting. We especially recommend heating red onions.

How to warm up onions? Lifehack.

2–4 days before planting, scatter the onion sets in one row in a cardboard box and place them in a warm place, for example near a radiator, so that the air temperature is 35–40 °C.

You can also find coarse grain size (24–30 mm) seeds on sale at temptingly low prices. This bulb makes very good greens. If you warm it up before planting, you will get a good large onion. This fraction is mainly used in the Northern, Siberian and Far Eastern regions.

Onion storage

Features, methods and storage rules:

Onions are stored at room temperature. The humidity in the room should not be high so that it does not rot. At very low humidity it can dry out. Onions can be stored in the room for several months, but at high temperatures by spring they will begin to germinate. Therefore, it is better to move it to a cool room for the winter.
Often onions are braided into braids and such wreaths are hung in a convenient place. They can even serve as room decoration.
You should not store onions next to potatoes. Its tubers release ethylene gas and moisture, which are absorbed into the bulbs and shorten their shelf life.
For the same reason, do not store it in a damp cellar. There it will quickly sprout, rot, and become infected with fungal diseases.
Do not store onions indoors in plastic containers. Without fresh air it will rot.
Leeks and leeks will dry out when stored in a room with a temperature of 20 degrees or more. Therefore, they hide it in the basement, sprinkling the lower part with wet sand.

Onion is grown as an annual plant or perennial. The annual plant is dug up in the fall with its roots. The perennial is cut 2 times in the spring, 2 times in the fall, when the feather reaches a length of 20 cm and a width of 1.5-2 cm. The chives are cut into the feather after its seed pods begin to crack.

From the video you can learn how to properly store onions:

Onion diseases that occur during storage

Neck rot of onions

According to ten years of research, losses due to onion rot are mainly caused by neck rot. The disease is caused by: Botrytis aclada, B. squamosa, B. Byssoidea. Symptoms of infection become visible during storage of the bulbs, which begin to rot from the neck. A gray mycelial coating appears in areas of infected tissue.

Main sources of infection:

infected set seeds;
plant debris;
contaminated soil.

The development of the disease is promoted by high humidity and subsequent collection of wet bulbs. The occurrence of disease can be reduced by maintaining the recommended temperature and humidity during storage. It is also advisable to minimize sources of primary infections:

do not allow bulbs to be grown in one place for the second year in a row;
sowing healthy seeds.

Fusarium

High intensity onion rot is caused by the fungus Fusaria (Fusarium oxysporum). The disease usually occurs in areas where vegetables are grown on an industrial scale without following technology. The fungus infects the bulbs during the growing season. Symptoms during storage are visible in the form of rot on the heel side.

The causative agent of the disease spreads through:

contaminated water;
soil;
with seed material.

To prevent the development of the disease, you need to avoid growing vegetables in monoculture and in waterlogged soils. It is advisable to sow high-quality seeds. When harvesting, you need to avoid mechanical damage and store only healthy vegetables.

White rot

White rot exhibits similar symptoms. A distinctive feature of the disease is white, cottony mycelium with numerous sclerotia.

Sources of the disease:

contaminated soil;
bad set.

Prevention is based on compliance with the rules of cultivation, drying and storage. Seed treatment is also an effective method of protection.

Wet bacterial rot

Large losses during storage are caused by rotting of onions, provoked by the appearance of bacteria pseudomonas (Pseudomonas gladioli pv. Allicola) and erwinia (Erwinia carotovora). Onions become infected during the period before harvest through an under-dried neck due to mechanical damage. Tissue with symptoms of the disease becomes watery, acquires an unpleasant odor, and rots. Vegetables intended for storage must be healthy.

Conclusion

Every summer resident who has harvested his harvest is concerned with the question of how to preserve onions in winter. The crop belongs to the group of vegetables that, thanks to optimal conditions, can be stored for a long time. However, improperly implemented agrotechnical measures, including poor plant protection, can lead to crop loss during storage. The most important parameters are maintaining a constant low temperature and a humidity level not exceeding 80%. Equally important is proper preparation for storage - drying, compliance with cleaning rules.

Rules for freezing vegetables

Vegetables can be frozen in various ways:

entirely;
sliced;
already cooked.

The best option is to cut the vegetable in advance before freezing. This will allow:

ensure compact storage;
defrost in the future as much product as needed at one time.

It is convenient when frozen vegetables are packaged in portions. This will allow you to easily separate as much product as needed without using force or breaking off the solid caked frozen piece.

Procedure:

Wash and peel the onion.
Chop finely.
Place immediately into small containers, or, alternatively, freeze in one layer in a wide flat container, and then pour into a bag or container.

A properly frozen vegetable can be stored in the freezer until the next harvest. During storage, a significant part of the nutrients is retained.

The main requirement is not to re-freeze the thawed onion . And do not allow even partial defrosting of the workpiece, which must lie for a long time.

How to freeze onions for the winter, video recipe:

Preparation

You can’t just pour the harvested crop into the cellar. In order for it to survive the winter, you need to prepare not only the bulbs, but also the basement itself.

Preparing the vegetable

Before storing vegetables, they must be subjected to the following “tests”:

Dry the bulbs after digging them out of the ground.
They are laid out in one layer, cutting off the roots to the very bottom. The feathers are cut off, leaving a length of 2 cm from the bulb, if you do not plan to store them in a braid. During drying, the vegetables are turned over several times.
Sort through the dried crop, removing all diseased, bruised or cut fruits.
Sort vegetables by size. Medium-sized bulbs are harvested for wintering. Large and small specimens should be used first.

The dried and sorted harvest can be lowered into the cellar.

Preparing the room

To prepare your cellar for winter, you need to do the following:

Ventilate the room by opening hatches and doors.
Place drawers and shelves in the sun. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, all microbes will die.
Replace rotten shelving.
Treat storage containers with formaldehyde solution. The boards can be burned with a blowtorch. This is done in order to get rid of mold and prevent its occurrence in the future.
Whiten the walls with quicklime. This allows you to reduce air humidity and provide additional disinfection of the room.

It is necessary to disinfect the cellar using special solutions in advance, at least 30 days before planting the crop.

Storing green onions

Green onions are more difficult to preserve than onions. Greens are more demanding on maintenance conditions and can quickly disappear.

in the refrigerator
:

in kraft paper – up to 3 weeks;
in a cellophane bag – up to 1.5 months;
in glass containers – no more than a month;
with a damp cloth in cellophane - up to a month.

When sending green onions for storage, you must ensure that the leaves do not wrinkle or bend, as this will accelerate wilting.

You can learn about storing green onions in the refrigerator here, and ways to preserve them for the winter here.

What to do if you bought frozen onions?

It’s cold in winter, so there is a chance of buying frozen onions (they are soft and look like boiled ones, and have a strong, peculiar smell). Such onions cannot be saved until spring planting; there is only one way out - to plant them on the greens at home. If the onion is not very frostbitten, only the top scale looks boiled; before planting, store the bulbs in the refrigerator (+1...+2 °C). Onions need to be ventilated, so store them only in nets or in bulk and do not place anything on top of the net.

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Storing onions in the freezer

Some housewives freeze onions in freezers, and in winter add finely chopped pieces to food. With this storage method, some of the nutrients in the product are lost. But the green color, aroma and taste remain.

Storage methods:

Whole onions are frozen. To do this, they are thoroughly washed and dried. Chop finely. They are placed in freezer bags or regular bags, but the latter do not retain their shape well, they are difficult to open when frozen, and when placed open, onion pieces will scatter throughout the chamber. The thickness of the onion layer is 5 cm.
Chopped onions can be stored after being fried. In this case, when cooking, you only need to remove it from the bag and defrost it. You can fry onions and carrots to prepare a dressing for hot dishes. Sauté the vegetables over low heat for about 7 minutes, cool and place in bags.
Onions, cut into rings, are placed in silicone molds. Place them in the freezer.