How To Preserve Onions For Winter

Reduce heat and simmer for 10 min.

How to preserve onions for winter. How to keep onions. If the weather is hot cover them lightly with straw to prevent sunburn. For best results onions should be stored in a dark cool space 35 to 40 degrees f like a cellar garage or shed. A good storage onion stored properly will retain its eating quality for 10 to 12 months.

Pungent onions that will be stored for the winter need to be cured for two to four weeks. Process sweet and spicy onion relish in a water bath canner for 10 minutes. Ladle the relish into clean hot half pint jars with 12 in head space. Inspect the trimmed onions are carefully.

Any blemishes bruising or damage to the onions will affect their storage potential. You may wonder how to keep onions so they last well into the cold winter months. Lay the onions on top of the soil for a day or two to dry. The stems must be kept green and crisp for the best taste.

If the soil is wet put the onions in a protected spot like a patio or garage. Change the water daily to prevent bacteria. Wipe the rims cap the jars and loosely seal. Set these aside and use first.

Loosen the soil around the plants carefully with a spade or garden fork and then pull the onions gently from the ground. Store cured onions loosely in baskets or hung in mesh bags in a cool dark and dry location for winter. The goal is to have as much air circulation around them as possible. The bulbs are hardy and keep well if they are harvested at the right time and hardened off.

The best way to store your onions for long term is hanging in mesh bags or in pantyhose in a cool dark dry place.