With such a bountiful harvest, we need to know how to store cabbage properly. I'll provide storage techniques and creative ideas for using cabbages in your kitchen, from delicious recipes to fermenting and preserving!
I love canning... But there are only a few proven and tested recipes, so I really look forward to root cellaring this year!
I also love fermenting sauerkraut... Fermented sauerkraut is fresh, flavorful, gives a great flavor and addition to pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs... But it also makes a great side dish when you're in a pinch and just need something fresh!
How to Store & Using Homegrown Cabbages
We are almost finished building our root cellar... And I am so excited to have this space that is dark cold and a bit moist to store my garden grown cabbages in! Storage cabbage varieties like Storage No 4, Ruby Perfection, and Promise are all great for storing for months!
How to Store Cabbage - Right After Harvest
Proper storage ensures that harvested cabbages remain fresh and retain their quality for an extended period. Follow these steps for optimal cabbage storage:
- Cleaning: Before storing, remove any dirt or debris from the outer leaves. Do not wash the cabbage, as excess moisture can promote rot.
- Trimming: If there are damaged or wilted outer leaves, trim them off before storage.
- Cool Storage: Cabbages prefer cool temperatures and high humidity. Store them in a root cellar, a cool basement, or a refrigerator's crisper drawer. The ideal storage temperature is between 32-40°F (0-4°C), and the humidity level should be around 90%. As you can see in the picture, root cellars are best with a pebble floor so the earths moisture maintains those levels for you!
- Loose Wrapping: Wrap the cabbage heads loosely in plastic or place them in perforated plastic bags to retain moisture while allowing for some air circulation.
- Check Regularly: Inspect stored cabbages regularly and remove any damaged or decaying heads to prevent the spread of spoilage.
Stored properly, cabbages can last for several weeks or even 6 months, allowing you to enjoy them long after the harvest. If your cabbages start looking a little sad, or old (it happens).... just remove the outer leaves, and you will see that the inner cabbage is still beautiful and healthy to eat!
How to Store Cabbage with Fermenting & Preserving
Fermenting and preserving cabbage is an excellent way to enjoy this vegetable beyond its regular shelf life... In fact, it can last for years canned and 6 months fermented!
- Fermented Foods: Ferment shredded cabbage with salt to create sauerkraut, a tangy and probiotic-rich condiment that can be used on sandwiches, hot dogs, or served as a side dish. I LOVE to make and eat fermented red sauerkraut for the nutrition levels and color it adds to everything!
- Fermented red sauerkraut lasts for up to 6 months in the fridge after fermenting! Ferment shredded cabbage with salt to make sauerkraut or kimchi, which are not only tasty but also rich in probiotics and beneficial for gut health.
- Canned Pickled Cabbage: Make pickled cabbage using vinegar and spices for a zesty and crunchy accompaniment to meals. Canning Cabbage for Coleslaw! The Ball Canning book has a spiced cabbage canning recipe that includes spices and vinegar. It's preserved with a water-bath canner, and makes excellent coleslaw!
- Freezing: If you have an excess of cabbage, blanch it briefly and freeze it for later use in soups or stir-fries.
How to Use Stored Cabbage
Cabbage is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of delicious and creative ways in your kitchen:
- Coleslaw: Coleslaw is a classic cabbage dish. Mix shredded cabbage with grated carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar, and seasonings for a refreshing side dish.
- Stir-Fries: I love to slice cabbage thin and add it to a hot skillet with a little avocado oil and seasonings... It's delicious with rice and a little teriyaki sauce! Add sliced cabbage to stir-fries for a crunchy and nutritious addition to your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.
- Cabbage Rolls: Use cabbage leaves as wrappers for savory fillings like rice, meat, or vegetables, and bake them in a delicious sauce.
- Cabbage Soup: Make hearty and comforting soups with cabbage, such as corned beef and cabbage soup, cabbage and potato soup or cabbage and bean soup!
By exploring creative ways to use cabbage in your kitchen and experimenting with fermentation and preservation techniques, you can make the most of your cabbage harvest and enjoy this nutritious and versatile vegetable in a wide range of delicious dishes.
More on How to Grow Cabbage
How to Fix Cabbage Plant Problems
If you use this info to grow and store cabbages and love it, Tag me on Instagram @farmhouse_harvest with your crop!
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