Jerusalem artichoke, or earthen pear, as it is popularly called, is a very useful plant. Today, in summer cottages, more and more often you can see tall stems with yellow flowers. This is Jerusalem artichoke. For the preparation of dishes and the manufacture of medicines, tubers of this plant are used. Thrifty housewives try to procure them for the winter. But not all of them know how to do it right. Keeping Jerusalem artichoke fresh - this is what we will talk about in this article. Having studied the information presented to your attention, you will learn how to save the tubers of this plant so that they retain the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals.
Jerusalem artichoke. Beneficial features
Storage of this vegetable should take place in favorable conditions for it. Failure to comply with the rules of conservation will lead to the fact that the workpiece will lose all its healing qualities. Jerusalem artichoke has a lot of them. Let's talk about this in more detail.
As part of the root crop, there is insulin, which is a vital drug for patients suffering from diabetes. Eating this plant improves vision and immunity. Trace elements contained in the roots of Jerusalem artichoke, positively affect the digestive tract, stimulate the activity of the gallbladder. All these facts make us believe that Jerusalem artichoke really needs to be consumed by almost every adult. Therefore, try to make a stock of the roots of this plant for the winter. And how to carry out high-quality storage of Jerusalem artichoke, you will learn from further information.
Basement is the best place
Jerusalem artichoke tubers can be kept fresh until spring in the cellar. Before you take the roots there, you need to dry them in the shade, then lay them in wooden boxes in layers, pouring with clean sand. During the whole cold season, make sure that the containers are damp.
You can save Jerusalem artichoke in plastic bags. Fold the tubers in them, sprinkle with wet sand, sawdust or peat. Tie the bag tightly and leave it in the cellar.
Paraffin treatment of root crops is another effective method that helps to carry out long-term storage of Jerusalem artichoke. Melt the paraffin in a water bath, let it cool slightly. Dip each root into this mass. Store tubers processed this way on a dry shelf in the basement.
Storage of Jerusalem artichoke in the refrigerator
For a month or two, you can store the fresh roots of this plant on a refrigerator shelf in a plastic bag. If you want to save them longer, then use the method of freezing. Washed and peeled Jerusalem artichoke cut into slices 2-3 cm thick, lay them on a plank and put in a freezer for a couple of hours. Then fold the workpiece in bags or special containers and leave it in the freezer. You can store Jerusalem artichoke in this form for about six months.
What other way can you procure Jerusalem artichoke for the future?
The storage of tubers of this nutritious and medicinal plant is possible even after their preliminary drying. Roots peeled from the outer peel are cut into 0.5 cm thick plates or ground on a coarse grater. Next, lay the workpiece on a baking sheet and put in the oven. Jerusalem artichoke is dried at a temperature of 60-70 degrees with the door open for about two to three hours. After cooling, they are collected in a fabric bag or container with a plastic cap and stored in a dry place.
Take these tips for storing Jerusalem artichoke yourself and you will have the opportunity to cook healthy dishes from this healing plant all year long.