Storing onions and preventing them from germinating
To prevent onions from germinating, store them in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated room such as a pantry, basement, cellar, or garage. Remember that "moisture" can cause onion germination.
Like other root vegetables, onions can be stored for a long time. But if it is not maintained properly, the root and stem will begin to grow in it. Since the flower bulb will grow into a new plant, budding is normal. Flower bulbs remain dormant until conditions are right for germination, and then begin to grow. Once flower bulbs germinate, they will quickly rot. Remember that moisture can cause onion germination. In this article we will mention ways to prevent onion germination.
Important tips to prevent onion sprouting
The most important point in preserving and preventing onion sprouting is that onions quickly absorb the moisture of the environment and the moist materials around it. Also, when the onion begins to grow among all the onions, it quickly passes it on to the other onions, and if it does not reach it, it infects all the onions; Because this bud is caused by the growth of a type of fungus that occurs due to damage to onions during harvesting, such as various shocks, and destroys them if they grow and develop.
Therefore, remember that even the germination of just one onion can quickly destroy the whole onion. Since fungi love moisture, they grow as soon as they receive moisture from the environment, and we see their presence in the form of onion shoots.
Onion sprouting marks
If you can recognize the signs of onion sprouting faster, you can easily prevent your onion from germinating by removing that single seed. The first sign of germination is the softening of the onion layers, which also darken in white or yellow onions. Over time, the fungus grows, and it also creates a very unpleasant smell in the kitchen, which is very pungent. In this case, make sure that one or more onions have begun to bloom. As soon as these onions are seen, they must be separated, and the other onions must be washed and dried thoroughly.
Steps to prevent onion sprouting
To prevent onion germination, the following steps must be followed:
Step 1
To prevent onions from germinating, you must first spread a clean, dry cloth in a warm, dry environment and scatter the onions on it at intervals until the moisture between the onions is gone. If possible for you, you can keep the onions in this condition for up to 3 weeks. Otherwise, when you are sure they are all dry, transfer them to a suitable basket or bag.
Step 2
The best container for dried onions and to prevent them from germinating is a mesh bag or wire basket. Other containers, such as plastic or covered containers, prevent air circulation and retain moisture. Because of this, onions in such containers quickly germinate or rot. Do not use plastic containers or other equipment that does not allow air circulation.
Step 3
To prevent the onions from germinating, place them in a dry place with a temperature of 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 4 degrees Celsius). Storage room, basement and garage are the best places in such circumstances. The high temperature will cause damage or growth of onions. An extremely cold environment also causes onions to freeze and lose their quality and texture. Avoid placing onions in places where the temperature is below zero. In this condition, yellow onions stay healthy for 2-3 months, and red onions stay healthy for 2-6 months.
Step 4
Keep ripe and cooked fruits and vegetables away from onions. Ripe fruits help onions germinate by producing ethylene gas. Also, avoid placing onions near potatoes to prevent them from germinating. Of course, this time for a better stocking of potatoes!
Unfortunately, it is common among us Iranians to keep potatoes and onions close together. But you should know that potatoes absorb moisture from onions and cause potatoes to germinate.
Introducing the best ways to store onions
Onions are definitely one of the essential ingredients in the kitchen, and you have no doubt heard and read a lot about the properties of onions for health. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, and each has a special use in cooking. Since onions are a widely used ingredient in the kitchen, people tend to buy and store large quantities of onions.
A suitable environment for keeping onions
1. Store regular onions in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated room
Yellow and regular onions are available throughout the year. According to the National Onion Association (NOA), it is best stored in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated room such as a pantry, basement, basement, or garage. Because onions easily absorb moisture. If the temperature or humidity is too high, the onions will begin to bud or rot.
Some studies have shown that 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 10 degrees Celsius) is ideal for storing onions. It is also important to provide the onions with proper ventilation using mesh or wire baskets to prevent rot and mold. Do not put onions in plastic bags, as the lack of proper ventilation will spoil the onions quickly. Plus, the darkness helps the bulbs last longer. The absence of sunlight reduces temperature and humidity changes.
2. Avoid keeping onions in the refrigerator
Store-bought onions have a paper-thin skin because they dry quickly after harvest. Drying onions helps remove excess moisture and extends their shelf life. This is why it is best to store onions in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place. These conditions prevent onions from absorbing too much moisture.
Keeping onions in the refrigerator exposes them to cold and moisture. Since onions absorb moisture very easily, they become soft and rot quickly in the refrigerator.
However, this does not apply to peeled and chopped onions. Peeled onions can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, while chopped onions will only last 7 to 10 days.
Keep in mind that other vegetables must be stored in the refrigerator under special conditions to extend shelf life. For more information, read How to Store Radishes in the Refrigerator.
3. The best way to store shallots (a type of small onion)
Leeks are in the onion family, but have a milder and sweeter taste. (This onion is often used in pickles—not to be confused with shallots.) Like regular onions, shallots should be stored in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated place. In this state, the leeks will last up to 30 days.
On the other hand, it can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. To freeze them, first peel them and cut them into cubes. Then put it in a freezer bag or an airtight container and put it in the freezer.
How to store onions in different ways
To increase the durability of onions, how it is stored in different conditions and forms is also important. Below we describe how to store onions at different stages and conditions.
1. Refrigerate peeled onions
Once the onion is peeled, it must be kept in the refrigerator to avoid contamination. Because peeled onions quickly absorb pollution and all kinds of environmental viruses. Place the onions in an airtight container and make sure the refrigerator temperature is 40 F (4 C) or lower. Onion peelings can last 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator.
2. Chopped or sliced onions in the freezer
If the onion is chopping or chopping. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Put them in plastic bags. For long-term use, sliced or sliced onions can be stored in the freezer for 3 to 6 months.
3. Fried onions in the freezer
Fried onions can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The way to keep hot onions at home is to put them in a container with a lid and put it in the fridge for a few hours after frying. Long-term presence of onions in the kitchen environment attracts bacteria and is dangerous to health. You can save time and keep them in the freezer for up to three months.
4. Pickling onions
Pickling onions is the cheapest way to increase the useful life of onions. Using a pickling solution prevents the growth of bacteria that spoil vegetables. In this way, pickled onions can be kept for up to six months. Of course, you cannot use pickled onions in cooking many dishes, but it is a good way to take advantage of the properties of onions and use them as a seasoning. For pickled onions, it must be peeled and dried completely, then placed in a sterilized glass container and filled with a mixture of vinegar, salt, sugar and spices suitable for your taste, and kept in a cool and dark place. To sterilize the pot, it is best to place it in boiling water for 20 minutes, then dry it with a clean towel.
5. Dry onions
A good way to increase the shelf life of onions is to dry them. For this, the onion must be finely chopped and placed on a tray with a distance. Then put the tray under the sun for 2-3 days. After that, put the onions in the oven at 90 degrees for 10 minutes, until they are completely dry. This type of onion is used as an excellent flavor with garlic powder.
Frequently asked questions about sprouting onions
Below we answer some frequently asked questions:
1. Can sprouted onions be eaten?
The answer is yes. Onions become a little soft after sprouting, but they are not toxic or dangerous. You can use onions, especially if the roots and shoots are still young. Many people eat sprouts because they contain protein.
2. What do you do with sprouted onions?
Cut off the germinated part. Cut the onion in half and remove the remaining sprouts. Also, make sure that the onions are not moldy or spoiled.
3. What to do with sprouted moldy onions?
Do not eat moldy and rotten onions.
4. Can sprouted onions be grown?
If you separate the shoots from the onion layers and plant them in the potting soil, you can produce new onions. Hence the answer to this question is yes.
