Be sure to take into account in order not to spoil the taste of striped berries. There are many recipes for salting watermelons in a barrel. Some of them provide for the storage of whole fruits, others - slices, with the addition of spices and even other fruits. Many gourmets agree that storing snacks in wooden barrels makes it possible to preserve their taste and beneficial properties much better. If you don’t have a wooden barrel, you can easily replace it with a plastic one. In general, this is more a matter of taste. So, consider the barrel ambassador in more detail. How to choose the right watermelons
If you want to learn how to pickle watermelons entirely in the barrel, then first you need to learn how to choose them. The taste and successful outcome of the pickling of fruits depends on this. Not only can you spoil the whole process of harvesting, and unsuccessfully selected berries can spoil all the rest. The selection of watermelons is one of the most important stages of pickling. Be sure to pay attention to the following points:
- fruits should be quite ripe, but it is better to avoid over-ripe watermelons, as they will get an unpleasant taste in salting;
- salting watermelons in the barrel is better, if you choose fine-cut specimens that have no dents or other defects;
- ideal fruit will be grown without the use of nitrates, because it is in the peel is collected the most harmful substances;
- salting is desirable to start no earlier than September, when it will be easier to achieve the optimum temperature for the fermentation process;
- If you are going to salt the fruit pieces, then pay attention to the color and condition of the pulp - pink and dense are considered the best, but the so-called sugar specimens are not suitable.
Read also: Sweet compotes for the winter
How to prepare
barrels If you want salting watermelons for the winter in barrels turned out well, then use wooden containers for this. This technique allows you to easily pickle even the sweetest fruit, while retaining their pleasant aroma and taste. Barrels for this must be properly prepared. Namely:
- thoroughly wash them, preferably with cold water, without the use of chemicals;
- scalded wooden surface with boiling water;
- then cover the containers with a towel and place them in a closed, but warm enough room;
- it is important that no dirt or dust get into the barrels.
Nuances of preparing fruits for pickling
Let's find out in more detail how to pickle watermelons in a barrel. According to the recipe, the most important are the selection and preparation of berries. It depends on whether the winter harvesting will be successful. To do this:
- Wash the fruit with water and then dry thoroughly.
- Pierce watermelons with a toothpick( or any stick of wood) at least 10 times. It is important that the punctures are performed symmetrically.
- Carefully place the prepared fruits into a container and pour the prepared brine so that the liquid covers them completely.
How to pickle the fruit in the barrel entirely
Salting watermelons for the winter in barrels requires the following ingredients:
- watermelons - the exact amount of fruit depends on the size of the barrel;
- water - the volume is determined depending on the number of fruits;
- salt - it is recommended to use not iodized, approximately 600-800 g per 10 l of water.
Read also: How to choose a watermelon without nitrates in the outlet?
The process of making
There are a lot of options for salting this gourd culture. It all depends on personal preference: you can salt the watermelons with the addition of various spices or even sugar. If you want to preserve the natural flavor of the berries, then you can refuse additional ingredients, only salt is applicable. This is the classic version of salting watermelons for the winter, characterized by ease of preparation.
To do this, you need to take the following several steps:
- Cover covered with salt water fruits with a clean towel.
- Put a wooden plank on top of the barrel, and put a heavy object on it, for example, a stone. It must first be washed and then scalded with boiled water. It is very important to correctly calculate the weight of the load( stone), otherwise the board will float out, and the brine container will fill with air. This should not be allowed.
- The final stage is to leave the wooden barrel in a room with an average temperature. The time of preliminary salting depends primarily on the size of the berries.
- After about 24 hours, the container should be taken to a cool place.
- A closed container should stand at a low temperature for about 3 weeks. It is important that no light penetrates the room.
- About 20 days will be enough so that the salted watermelons in the barrel are fully ready for use.
Salted fruits may remain in the barrel for more than 20 days, but you should regularly check their readiness.
To make sure that the fermentation process has already begun, you can look into the container and even gently get one of the fruits using a clean cutlery. However, the best guarantee of successful salting is a hermetically sealed container throughout the fermentation period.
Read also: Spicy dessert and home-made doctor -
viburnum jam The most optimal period for salting watermelons in a barrel is mid-autumn. During this time, the fruits have time to ripen, and it is easier to create the necessary temperature. Having provided the fruits with all the necessary conditions for pickling, you can not worry about their shelf life.
Other cooking options
If you are interested in salting watermelons in a wooden barrel according to the recipe with the addition of other ingredients, then you can consider the following options:
- watermelon will have a pleasant taste, if you add enough sugar to the brine in addition to salt, about 400 g will be enough, butthe exact amount depends on the size of the barrel;
- You can also add half a pack of mustard powder to the water, which will give the brine a spicy taste.
Can you use a plastic barrel
If you do not have a wooden barrel, you can use a plastic one. The recipe for salting watermelons in a barrel of such material is the same as with a wooden container. But it is worth being prepared for the fact that the fruits may not get the best taste. Plastic is an artificial material, so there are a lot of harmful substances in it. In addition, the watermelon, like a sponge, absorbs all extraneous odors, which are further enhanced by the influence of salt water.
