Important nuances of cooking salted watermelons in a barrel

The technology of salting watermelons includes many nuances that must be taken into account so as not to spoil the taste of the striped berry. There are many recipes for how to salt watermelons in a barrel. Some of them provide for the storage of the whole fruit, others - in pieces, with the addition of spices and even other fruits. Many gourmets agree that storing snacks in wooden barrels allows them to preserve their taste and useful properties much better. If there is no wooden barrel at hand, then it can be easily replaced with a plastic one. In general, this is more a matter of taste. So, let's take a closer look at the barrel ambassador.

How to choose the right watermelon

If you want to know how to pickle whole watermelons in a barrel, then first you need to learn how to choose them correctly. The taste and the successful outcome of fruit pickling largely depend on this. Not only can you ruin the entire harvesting process, but an unsuccessfully chosen berry can spoil all the rest. Selection of watermelons - one of the most important stages of salting. Be sure to pay attention to the following points:

the fruits should be ripe enough, but it is better to avoid too overripe watermelons, since in salting they will acquire an unpleasant taste;
salting watermelons in a barrel turns out better if you choose thin-bored specimens that have no dents or other defects;
the ideal option would be fruits grown without the use of nitrates, since it is in the peel that the most harmful substances are collected;
it is advisable to start salting 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 in pieces, then pay attention to the color and condition of the pulp - pink and dense is considered the best, but the so-called sugar specimens are not suitable.

How to prepare barrels

If you want the salting of watermelons for the winter in barrels to be successful, then use a wooden container for this. This technique allows you to easily pickle even the sweetest fruits, while maintaining their pleasant aroma and taste. For this, the barrels must be properly prepared. Namely:

rinse them thoroughly, preferably with cold water, without using chemicals;
scald a wooden surface with boiling water;
then you should cover the containers with a towel and place them in a closed, but warm enough room;
it is important that no dirt or dust gets into the drums.

The nuances of preparing fruits for salting

Let's find out in more detail how to properly salt watermelons in a barrel. According to the recipe, the most important are the selection and preparation of berries. It depends on this whether winter harvesting will be successful. This requires:

Rinse the fruit with water and then dry thoroughly.
Pierce watermelons with a toothpick (or any wood stick) at least 10 times. It is important that the punctures are made symmetrically.
Gently put the prepared fruits in a container and fill them with the prepared brine so that the liquid covers them completely.

How to salt whole fruit in a barrel

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 salt, about 600-800 g per 10 liters of water.

Cooking process

There are a lot of options for salting this melon culture. It all depends on personal preference: you can salt watermelons with the addition of various spices or even sugar. If you want to preserve the natural taste of berries, then you can refuse additional ingredients, only salt is used. This is a classic version of salting watermelons for the winter, which is easy to prepare.

This requires the following few steps:

Cover the fruits drenched in salt water with a clean towel.
Put a wooden board on top of the barrel, and put a heavy object, for example, a stone, on it. It must first be rinsed, and then scalded with boiled water. It is very important to correctly calculate the weight of the load (stone), otherwise the board will float outward, and the container with the brine will be filled with air. This cannot be allowed.
The final step is to leave the wooden barrel in a medium temperature room. The pre-salting time depends primarily on the size of the berries.
After about 24 hours, the container must be taken to a cool room.
The closed container should stand at low temperature for about 3 weeks. It is important that no light enters the room.
About 20 days will be enough for the salted watermelons in the barrel to be completely ready to eat.

Salted fruits can remain in the barrel for more than 20 days, but it is necessary to regularly check their readiness.

To make sure that the fermentation process has already begun, you can look into the container and even gently take out one of the fruits using a clean cutlery. However, the best guarantee of successful salting is a hermetically sealed container throughout the entire fermentation period.

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 regime. Having provided the fruits with all the necessary conditions for salting, you can not worry about their shelf life.

Other cooking options

If you are interested in how to salt watermelons in a wooden barrel according to a recipe with the addition of other ingredients, then you can consider the following options:

the watermelon will acquire a pleasant aftertaste if you add a little sugar to the brine in addition to salt - about 400 g will be enough, but the exact amount depends on the size of the barrel;
you can also add half a packet of mustard powder to the water, this will give the brine a spicy taste.

Can I use a plastic barrel

If you don't have a wooden barrel on hand, you can use a plastic one. The recipe for salting watermelons in a barrel made of this material is the same as for a wooden container. But you should be prepared for the fact that the fruits may not acquire the best taste. Plastic is an artificial material, so it contains a lot of harmful substances. In addition, watermelon, like a sponge, absorbs all foreign odors, which are further enhanced by the influence of salt water.

watermelon salting