How to properly freeze broccoli for the winter at home: step by step instructions and use of the blank

Summer taste and fresh vitamins all year round on your table! To do this, it is enough to stock up on green broccoli inflorescences for future use and enjoy healthy and tasty cabbage in winter. Freshly cut broccoli heads are not stored for a long time, so they are frozen - this method of harvesting is considered optimal.

How to freeze broccoli for the winter at home, read on. We have collected the best recipes for blanks and useful tips.

Can broccoli be frozen for the winter

Freezing is a proven method of preserving crops for a long time... Many housewives do homework and know that you can freeze any vegetables, as well as fruits and berries.

The main thing is to follow the technology and use quality products in order to preserve vitamins and beneficial properties.

Reference. Broccoli is also called asparagus, it is the closest relative of cauliflower. Her homeland is the Mediterranean. For many years, its existence was not known outside of Italy.

Why do many people prefer freezing when preparing vegetables for the winter? There are several strong arguments that bring this method to the first place.:

1. Save space... The heads of cabbage divided into inflorescences take up little space in the freezer. When using tight bags for freezing, the penetration of foreign odors is completely excluded. At the same time, the appearance and useful properties of the product are preserved for a long time.
2. Preservation of vitamins and taste... This method, unlike others, allows you to preserve vitamins and microelements in vegetables and the full palette of taste without loss. This is especially important for housewives who harvest fresh vegetables from the garden for children.
3. A stock of vegetables is always at hand... Frozen blanks save significant time and money. Broccoli is not always found in the store, and the price for this product is high. Taking out a packet of cabbage from the freezer, you can quickly prepare a healthy meal for the whole family.

Take a note:

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Selection and preparation of fruits

The quality and shelf life of the frozen product directly depends on the raw materials used... For these purposes, dense heads of cabbage are selected without damage. Cabbage should be of the correct shape and rich green color.

When the buds turn bright yellow, this means that the vegetable is overripe and not suitable for consumption. Many people mistakenly believe that vegetables of not the first freshness and of dubious quality are suitable for freezing. This is not true.

Do not use broccoli for freezing with the following symptoms:

• sluggish inflorescences;
• the presence of dark spots, rot and spoilage;
• disease and pest damage;
• mushroom smell.

The freezing process itself is simple and quick. But preparing a vegetable requires special attention. The quality of the semi-finished product depends on compliance with the following rules:

1. Collecting or buying cabbage... The best time to harvest broccoli is mid-summer. This period varies depending on the ripening time of a particular variety. Pay attention to the density of the inflorescences and their color. The crop is ready for harvest when the head reaches 10-15 cm in diameter.If the head of cabbage is not cut off in time, the lateral buds will sprout new shoots, and the cabbage will lose its juiciness and taste.
2. Hygienic treatment... Rinse broccoli thoroughly in running water to remove debris and dirt. After taking out the cabbage from the freezer, you can no longer wash it. Therefore, place the head of cabbage in salt water for 20-30 minutes - so insects and debris will float to the surface. Then rinse the cabbage again in clean water. Remove all leaves and divide the head into florets. The soft part of the stem can also be used by cutting into 0.5 cm thick circles. Do not use the hard parts of the stem. To maintain a rich green color, place the inflorescences in cold water with lemon juice for 5 minutes.
3. Packing preparation... Convenient special strong bags for freezing. If there are no such at hand, ordinary plastic bags or food containers will do.

Broccoli is frozen in vegetable mixtures: Add pieces of cauliflower, carrots, green peas, green bean pods and other vegetables to your taste in the freezer bag.

Ways to freeze broccoli for the winter

There are several options for preparing broccoli for the winter.... Which one to choose depends on how you plan to use the product in the future.

Fresh

You can prepare broccoli for the winter without heat treatment.... To do this, disassemble the cabbage into inflorescences and mine. Dry on a towel, blot on top with paper towels. Arrange the inflorescences evenly in one layer on a cutting board and shock freeze.

After intense cooling, arrange the cabbage into bags and place in the freezer for long-term storage. This method changes the color and structure slightly, so this product is not suitable for preparing fresh vegetable salads.

In boiled

Do I need to boil broccoli before freezing? Some housewives prefer to do this. To do this, take a spacious enamel pot, put cold water in it and bring to a boil. Then fold the broccoli florets in a colander and place in boiling water for a few minutes.

Immediately after boiling, cool the cabbage quickly by dipping it in ice water with ice cubes... But there is a nuance: after that, the cabbage will lose its elasticity. It can be used, for example, for making pureed soups.

Blanched

One of the most popular ways to freeze broccoli. Such processing preserves all vitamins in the product and ensures long-term storage.

Some pros of freezing blanched broccoli:

• enzymes that lead to product spoilage are destroyed;
• fast cooking process after freezing, since the vegetable is already steamed;
• useful properties are preserved;
• harmful microorganisms are destroyed.

The essence of the method is to steam the cabbage or briefly lower it in boiling water... This is necessary so that the broccoli retains its original appearance and color.

Blanching process takes only a few minutes... Place the prepared inflorescences in a saucepan with boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Then, use a slotted spoon to remove the cabbage from the pan and immediately place it in cold water with lemon juice. This will help maintain the vegetable's firmness and color. Then dry the vegetable on a kitchen towel and place in bags.

If you have a double boiler, you can steam the prepared inflorescences for 5 minutes.

Read also:

In what form and how to freeze Brussels sprouts

How to freeze zucchini for the winter and what to cook from them

Terms and conditions of storage

In order for frozen vegetables to retain their appearance and nutrients for a long time, you need choose the optimal storage mode. Even partial defrosting of the product must not be allowed. Observe the conditions and rules of storage - do not place frozen broccoli next to meat or fish to avoid absorbing odors.

The optimal temperature for storing broccoli is -18 ... -20 ° С... With proper preparation and packaging under these conditions, the vegetable can be stored for 9 to 12 months. If the temperature in the freezer is set from 0 to -10 ° C, broccoli should be consumed within 3 months.

If there is a power outage or you are planning to wash the refrigerator, wrap the food from the freezer in a blanketto keep the temperature low, or take everything out to a cool place.

Important! Place labels on the bags indicating the packing date. Such markings will help prevent overdue and control the order in the freezer.

How to defrost properly

Do not thaw frozen cabbage before use... After defrosting, the inflorescences will creep and lose their shape. It is enough to get the cabbage out of the freezer and start cooking immediately. Depending on the recipe, the frosty inflorescences are immediately placed in boiling water for cooking or in a baking dish in the oven.

The cooking time for broccoli depends on the size of the pieces and is approximately 5-10 minutes... The cabbage is ready if a knife or fork can easily pierce the stem.

Where to apply

Broccoli is rich in various vitamins and trace elements, therefore it is highly prized.

In cooking

This type of cabbage contains a minimum of calories and a maximum of nutrients. Broccoli is consumed fresh, boiled, stewed, baked or fried... It is especially useful raw, and the frozen buds are close to fresh ones in value.

Boiled cabbage is used as a side dish and for making salads, blanched as an ingredient for casseroles, and broccoli soups are delicate and low in calories.

A hit is called puree soup or fried broccoli inflorescences in batter from a mixture of eggs and bread crumbs. If this dish is served with cheese sauce, it will acquire an exquisite taste.

For baby food

Cabbage broccoli is indispensable in baby food, as it has many beneficial properties:

• the hypoallergenic nature of the product allows it to be used for feeding babies from 6 months;
• the presence of fiber has a beneficial effect on intestinal peristalsis, eliminates the occurrence of constipation and promotes digestion;
• vitamins A, C, K and folic acid increase immunity;
• phytoncides protect the baby from viruses and bacteria;
• the vegetable protein found in broccoli can replace meat if the child refuses to eat it.

Conclusion

It's easy to prepare broccoli for the winter, and the benefits of eating it are enormous. Having prepared bright green inflorescences, you can not only diversify the winter menu, but also support the weakened body with nutrients and remember the taste of summer.