🎃 Keeping a squash all winter: house, cellar or balcony
Quick answer: To store your winter squash (butternut, pumpkin, etc.) until spring 🧑🌾: leave them in a cool (10-15°C), dry, and ventilated room, without contact between them, checking them weekly. A sheltered balcony or a healthy cellar are ideal. Avoid humidity, shocks, and negative temperatures!
Why try to preserve winter squash?
Winter squash (butternut squash, pumpkin, butternut squash, etc.) is a true champion of preservation 🥇. When stored properly, it allows you to enjoy sweet flavors and vitamins all winter long, without running to the market every week. It's also a great way to limit food waste and enjoy local produce out of season.
Preparing squash before storage: the key steps
It all starts with the harvest! For optimal preservation, pick your squash when it's ripe (dry stem, tough skin, and well-defined color). This guide from Le Parisien helps you recognize the right time.
- Do not wash the squash before storage (humidity is the enemy!)
- Keep the stalk intact: it protects the flesh
- Let it dry for 7 to 10 days in a warm place ( cure ): the skin hardens, the squash concentrates 🛡️
- Discard any damaged, split or spotted squash: cook it quickly or freeze it in cubes
Where is the best place to store winter squash?
In the house 🏡
Place your squash in a cool room (cellar, unheated entrance), away from the sun and away from the heating. Ideally, a temperature between 10 and 15°C , with dry, ventilated air. Be careful: too hot = rapid ripening, too cold = softening flesh!
In a cellar or healthy garage 🧊
The cellar is perfect if it's not damp! Place the squashes on a shelf or crate, spacing them out (no contact, otherwise, mold will form!). You can place a piece of cardboard or newspaper under each squash to absorb any residual moisture.
On a sheltered balcony 🌬️
No cellar? A balcony is possible, as long as the temperature remains above freezing. Place the squash in a crate, covered with a cloth or a towel to protect them from the harsh cold. Remember to bring them indoors in extreme cold or when frost is forecast.
💡 Tip: Never stack squashes: they love space! A visual check every week allows you to act quickly if one starts to spoil.
Tips for keeping your winter squash in great shape 🌱
- Prefer butternut squash or pumpkin for their excellent stability
- Avoid humidity at all costs: no water, no condensation!
- Turn the squash every month to avoid pressure points
- Separate the varieties well: some (pumpkin) keep for a shorter time than others (butternut, butternut squash)
- When in doubt, cut the squash in half: if the flesh is firm and odorless, enjoy!
- And if you want to quickly cook a squash with damaged skin: put it in the air fryer !
🙅♂️ To avoid : storage in the fridge (too humid), in a plastic bag, or in an overheated room.
FAQ Storing winter squash 🍂
How long can you keep winter squash?
A well-ripened squash, stored in good conditions, can easily be kept for 2 to 6 months . Butternut squash and butternut squash often last longer than pumpkins. Inspect them regularly and use any that show signs of weakness first.
Should squash be washed before storage?
Absolutely not! Leave the skin intact, dry, and unwashed. Moisture encourages mold. If your squash is dirty, gently brush it dry.
Can you keep a squash that has already been cut?
Once opened, squash can be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped, for 3 to 5 days . You can also cut it into cubes and freeze it. To save time, consider cooking it in advance and keeping it refrigerated.
How do you know if a squash is no longer good?
Any squash that softens, has soft spots, an unpleasant odor, or shows signs of mold should be discarded. The skin should remain firm, the flesh orange, and free of suspicious juices.
Can other vegetables be preserved in the same way?
Yes, many root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes) also like a cool, dry, and ventilated place. But winter squash are the champions of natural preservation!
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