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

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

Read on to learn how to freeze broccoli for the winter at home. We have collected the best recipes and useful tips.

Is it possible to freeze broccoli for the winter?

Freezing is a proven method of preserving crops for a long time.. Many housewives do homemade preparations and know that any vegetables, as well as fruits and berries, can be frozen.

The main thing is to follow technology and use quality products 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 unknown outside of Italy.

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

1. Space saving. Heads of cabbage divided into inflorescences take up little space in the freezer. When using thick freezer bags, the penetration of foreign odors is completely eliminated.At the same time, the appearance and beneficial 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 range of taste without loss. This is especially important for housewives who prepare fresh vegetables from the garden for children.
3. A supply of vegetables is always at hand. Frozen preparations significantly save time and money. You can’t always find broccoli in the store, and the price for this product is high. By taking a bag of cabbage out of the freezer, you can quickly prepare a healthy dish for the whole family.

Take note:

Simple and tasty broccoli preparations for the winter

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Delicious Pickled Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Selection and preparation of fruits

The quality and shelf life of a frozen product directly depends on the raw materials used. For these purposes, dense heads of cabbage without damage are selected. The cabbage should be of the correct shape and rich green in 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 that are not fresh and of dubious quality are suitable for freezing. This is wrong.

Do not use for freezing broccoli with the following symptoms::

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

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

1. Harvesting or purchasing cabbage. The best time to harvest broccoli is mid-summer. This period varies depending on the ripening period 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 side buds will sprout new shoots, and the cabbage will lose its juiciness and taste.
2. Hygienic treatment. Wash the broccoli thoroughly under running water, removing any debris or dirt. After all, once you take cabbage out of the freezer, you won’t be able to wash it. Therefore, place the head of cabbage in salt water for 20-30 minutes - this will allow insects and debris to float to the surface. Then rinse the cabbage again in clean water. Remove all leaves and divide the head of cabbage into florets. The soft part of the stem can also be used, cut into circles 0.5 cm thick. 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. Preparing the packaging. Special durable bags for freezing are convenient. If you don’t have any of these on hand, regular plastic bags or food containers will do.

Broccoli can also be frozen in vegetable mixtures: Add pieces of cauliflower, carrots, green peas, green beans and other vegetables to taste to a 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 wash them. Dry on a towel, blot the top with paper napkins. Place the inflorescences evenly in one layer on a cutting board and blast freeze them.

After intensive cooling, place the cabbage in bags and place in the freezer. for long-term storage. The color and structure change slightly with this method, so this product is not suitable for preparing fresh vegetable salads.

Boiled

Should you boil broccoli before freezing?? Some housewives prefer to do this. To do this, take a capacious enamel pan, fill it with cold water and bring to a boil. After this, place the broccoli florets in a colander and place in boiling water for a few minutes.

Immediately after cooking, cool the cabbage quickly by plunging it into ice water with ice cubes.. But there is a nuance: after this 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. This treatment preserves all the vitamins in the product and ensures long-term storage.

Some benefits of freezing blanched broccoli:

• enzymes that lead to product spoilage are destroyed;
• a quick process of preparing dishes after freezing, since the vegetable is already steamed;
• beneficial properties are preserved;
• harmful microorganisms are destroyed.

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

The blanching process takes only a few minutes. Place the prepared inflorescences in a pan of boiling water for 1-2 minutes. After this, 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 put it in bags.

If you have a steamer, 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 should not be allowed. Follow the storage conditions and rules - do not place frozen broccoli next to meat or fish to prevent the absorption of foreign odors.

The optimal temperature for storing broccoli is -18…-20°C. If properly prepared and packaged under these conditions, the vegetable can be stored for 9 to 12 months. If the freezer temperature is set from 0 to -10°C, broccoli should be consumed within 3 months.

If there is a power outage or you want to clean the refrigerator, wrap the freezer food in a blanketto keep the temperature low, or take everything to a cool place.

Important! Label the bags with the packing date. Such marking will help prevent “expiration” and control order in the freezer.

How to defrost correctly

Frozen cabbage should not be thawed before use.. After defrosting, the inflorescences will spread and lose their shape. Just take the cabbage out of the freezer and start cooking right away. Depending on the recipe, the frost-covered inflorescences are immediately placed in boiling water for cooking or in a baking dish in the oven.

Cooking time for broccoli depends on the size of the pieces and is approximately 5-10 minutes.. The cabbage is ready when a knife or fork pierces the stem easily.

Where to apply

Broccoli is rich in various vitamins and microelements, which is why it is highly valued.

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 in its raw form, and frozen inflorescences are close to fresh in value.

Boiled cabbage is used as a side dish and for making salads, blanched - as an ingredient for casseroles, and broccoli soups have a delicate taste and low calorie content.

Hit is called puree soup or fried broccoli florets in batter. from a mixture of eggs and breadcrumbs. If you serve this dish with cheese sauce, it will acquire an exquisite taste.

For baby feeding

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 complementary feeding of babies from 6 months;
• the presence of fiber has a beneficial effect on intestinal motility, eliminates constipation and promotes digestion;
• vitamins A, C, K and folic acid increase immunity;
• phytoncides protect the baby from viruses and bacteria;
• The vegetable protein contained in broccoli can replace meat if the child refuses to eat it.

Conclusion

Preparing broccoli for the winter is not difficult, and the benefits of consuming it are enormous. By preparing bright green inflorescences, you can not only diversify your winter menu, but also support your weakened body with nutrients and recall the taste of summer.