How to properly freeze basil for the winter: a selection of the best ways

Winter is not a reason to deny the body vitamins. By freezing the basil, you will provide yourself with a fragrant plant for several months. There are several ways to store a spice in the freezer while preserving its beneficial properties and taste.

Let's consider the most popular freezing options, study the conditions and shelf life.

Can basil be frozen

The quality of industrially frozen greens raises questions, because there is no guarantee that the products have not been defrosted and re-frozen. To be sure of quality, it is better to do the procurement basilica at home.

Advantages and disadvantages of this procurement method

Freezing basil has several benefits at once:

• allows you to use greens even in winter;
• retains almost all the taste and nutritional properties of the plant;
• does not require much effort and time.

The only drawback of this method of procurement - free place. If you have a small freezer, it may not have much storage space for basil. Then it makes sense to dry it.

Selection and preparation of greens

In the evening, the plant is watered so that it absorbs moisture well overnight, becomes softer and more juicy. In the morning, young branches that have not yet begun to bloom are cut with scissors.

Regardless of the method of freezing, a number of preparatory procedures are carried out:

1. Examine the leaves carefully, set aside any damaged, dry or diseased specimens. Dried foliage is still edible, but not at all suitable for long-term storage
2. Soak the leaves in room temperature water for half an hour. A pinch of salt added to the water will remove insects from the greenery.
3. Rinse the basil gently under running water.
4. Spread the leaves on a paper or waffle towel until it has completely absorbed moisture.

Prepare suitable storage containers before freezing. It is most convenient to use sealed containers or portioned bags with a zip fastener.

How to freeze basil for the winter

There are several ways to prepare basil for winter storage. When choosing, be guided by the amount of free space in the freezer and personal preferences.

Fresh

One of the easiest ways to freeze:

1. Put the washed and dried leaves in one layer on parchment paper. The leaves should not touch each other.
2. Place the parchment in the freezer for 40 minutes to freeze the greens a little.
3. Transfer it to portioned bags, remove the air from them and send to the freezer for long-term storage.

Blanched

A blanched plant is not only stored for a long time, but also retains its appearance:

1. Sort the basil leaves and rinse gently.
2. Prepare a container of boiling water. Place each basil leaf in boiling water for 10 seconds, no more. If you keep the foliage in hot water longer, it will simply boil.
3. After boiling water, the foliage is immediately dipped into a container of cold water. If desired, add ice cubes to it.
4. After removing the leaves from cold water, spread them on a paper towel until dry. Turn over periodically.
5. Spread the dried greens in a thin layer on parchment, a tray or board.
6. Send the workpiece to the freezer before freezing.Then transfer to portioned bags.

Puree

Another way that will allow you to prepare basil in portions for storage:

1. Rinse the leaves under cold running water. After the basil is placed in a container of room temperature water for 30 minutes, this will help the plant to absorb moisture.
2. Then the basil is laid out on a towel to dry. To speed up the process, gently blot the foliage with a paper towel.
3. Transfer the greens to the blender bowl, filling it no more than half. Add 2-3 tbsp. l. olive oil - it will give the spice a richer flavor and prevent darkening.
4. Grind the basil until thick, smooth.
5. Transfer the resulting mixture to ice freezers and send to the freezer. After a day, remove the frozen cubes, transfer to airtight bags and place in the freezer for further storage.

In oil

Another procurement method:

1. Rinse and dry the basil.
2. Cut the greens into large pieces.
3. Divide the crushed leaves into ice cube trays or small containers.
4. Pour the oil over the greens so that it completely covers it. Send the basil to the freezer.

For this method, sunflower and olive oil or ghee are suitable.

In broth

The principle is the same as for freezing basil in oil. Any broth is suitable for pouring:

• vegetable;
• beef;
• chicken;
• pork.

Terms and conditions of storage

The shelf life of the spice depends on the method of freezing:

• fresh frozen basil is stored for 12 months;
• blanched or prepared in broth - 10-12 months;
• in the form of puree, it can be stored in the freezer for no more than 4 months;
• leaves frozen in oil - up to 8 months.

Keep the greens in the vegetable compartment, away from meat or fish.

Important! Do not defrost and re-freeze basil - the beneficial properties of such greens simply will not remain.

It is most convenient to store the spice in small portions, which are enough for one meal. So you don't have to constantly work out from the freezer and back.

How to defrost properly

Proper defrosting will preserve the beneficial properties of the plant. Some recommendations will help with this:

1. Remove fresh frozen basil from the freezer and transfer to the lower shelf of the refrigerator until defrosting.
2. Do not thaw whole basil leaves in water - they will give it all their nutrients.
3. If basil is frozen in cubes and will be used to make soup, broth, pasta, or other hot dishes, it should not be thawed first. Just add the required number of cubes to hot water.

Where can you use

Frozen basil, like fresh basil, is widely used in cooking. It is added to:

• soups;
• meat and fish dishes;
• salads;
• pasta;
• sauces;
• lemonade;
• tea.

Cubes based on olive oil and basil will also be useful for home beauty treatments. They rub the face with them - to tone and improve color.

Infusion from the plant will increase appetite, relieve cramps and help with insomnia. In folk medicine, it is used as a remedy for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and headaches.

It is interesting:

Do-it-yourself burning blank: is it possible to freeze horseradish for the winter.

How to properly freeze gooseberries for the winter in the freezer: the best ways.

How to properly freeze carrots for the winter in the freezer.

Conclusion

To enjoy a healthy plant in winter, it is frozen fresh, blanched or mashed, poured with broth or oil. Freezing whole leaves allows them to be stored for up to a year, the use of oil reduces this period by 2-4 months.

The thawed plant is used to prepare first and second courses, sauces and salads.