Root Cellaring Unearths Many Options

Now that fall is here, I have shifted into nesting mode. Every autumn for at least the last 12 years, I’ve headed to Seattle’s University District farmers market with this mission: Buy root veggies in bulk and store them for the holidays and cold dark winter beyond.  

This method has worked great simply because I love having a stash of organic potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, and apples at the ready. When my children were little, this method made sense to me.  Early on in motherhood, I learned it was absolutely no fun dashing to the store on a rainy afternoon with cranky toddlers in tow.

With that in mind, I started buying my organic root vegetables in large quantities and storing them at home.  My favorite local potatoes hail from Alden Farms, and I generally buy 100 pounds of Yukon Golds or Buttes from them each November.

Admittedly, my storage method has been casual. I simply stash my goods in our dark unheated garage. From time to time, I’ve had to pick out a few bad apples, but on many occasions I’ve been able to “shop” from the garage well into March. 

Inspired to improve my approach this year, I recently purchased Mike and Nancy Bubel’s excellent book, Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables.  Originally published by Storey Publishing in 1979, this book is outstanding.  Drawing from their own personal experiences with root cellaring, the Bubels include lots of practical advice on how to choose specific varieties and how to prepare mature fruits and vegetables for long term storage.  They discuss various types of root cellars and  help readers consider all storage options at hand.   This openminded approach is what I love about the book!  For example on page 131, they state:

“An enclosed porch is as good as an unheated room, and so is a cellar, of course. And, don’t overlook those odd spaces under the porch steps or in a breezeway or outside cellar entry. It’s all very well to have a perfectly finished, efficient house, but some of these irregular little cubby holes that might make an architect shudder will prove mighty useful for natural cold storage.”

In a very practical manner, they helped me reconsider my home’s “nook and crannies,” which generally sit idle.  I’ve wanted to expand my options and store more produce now that my children are bigger. Thanks to the Bubel’s sensible ideas, I  am now confident that my unheated attic storage space is a viable option as is my 1920s wainscoted enclosed sun porch!  Do you store homegrown or market produce for the winter? If so, where do you keep it?

Photo by Melissa A. Trainer

--Melissa A. Trainer