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Arugula, known in many countries, occupies an honorable place in cooking, because it is very aromatic and piquant in taste. It is used for preparing appetizers, salads, as well as first and second courses. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to purchase juicy fresh leaves. Therefore, for lovers of this green, the question remains whether and how to freeze arugula for the winter in the freezer.
Freezing allows you to preserve most of the nutrients in the composition.
Is it possible to freeze arugula in the freezer for the winter?
Arugula, like all greens, has a composition rich in vitamins and microelements. But, since it is very difficult to find a fresh, high-quality product in winter, you can keep it healthy by freezing. The main requirement is compliance with the rules for the selection and preparation of green leaves. At the same time, there are various ways to freeze arugula for the winter in the freezer.
Selection and preparation of arugula
To get a quality product in winter, you need to choose the right arugula before freezing.As for cooking, greens should be selected fresh, without damage or stains. It is best to give preference to medium-sized leaves.
After selecting the leaves, they are prepared for further freezing. To do this, the raw materials are thoroughly washed and then dried. There should be no water left, as the greens will simply stick together. Some freezing options require blanching for 30 seconds, but it is worth considering that with this action the greens will lose some of their nutrients.
Ways to freeze arugula for the winter at home
There are many ways to freeze arugula at home. The most popular option is considered to be in its pure form. Some housewives experiment by preparing it with oil or as a mixture. It is worth considering that shock freezing at a minimum temperature of -35 ºC is preferable for arugula, otherwise after thawing the leaves will be slimy and unsuitable for consumption.
Whole leaves
To freeze arugula with whole leaves, just choose the right greens. It must be fresh and free from defects. It is ideal to use leaves of equal size.
Before freezing, the greens are thoroughly washed and laid out on a paper towel. You can put a napkin on top to remove moisture.
Dry leaves should be packaged in plastic bags in a thin layer, then placed in the freezer. You can also use plastic containers. In the same way, chopped arugula is frozen and stored.
If you need to freeze a small amount of greens, you can lay out the leaves individually on a cutting board and place them in the freezer. After blast freezing, remove them and carefully place them in containers. The hermetically sealed container is again sent for storage in the freezer.
To freeze arugula with whole leaves, it is important that they are dry, so they are laid out and dried
With butter
You can freeze arugula at home with butter. It is best to use cream or olive, but any other type will do. The greens are also prepared and then chopped. You can cut the leaves or grind them into a paste. The resulting raw materials are laid out in molds (suitable for ice), filling them by a third. Then pour in oil. You should not fill the molds completely; you must leave a distance of up to 5 mm to the edge.
Mixed with other greens
Frozen arugula is often used as a seasoning for dishes, so it can be stored not only in its pure form, but also mixed with other herbs. This method allows you to save space in the freezer and get a ready-made flavor additive.
This herb harmonizes well with aromatic herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, and celery. Therefore, you can freeze it in any composition. The only condition will be the same grinding of raw materials.
With avocado
Freezing arugula with avocado allows you to get an exotic seasoning with an exquisite aroma.After all, juicy spicy greens perfectly complement the oily pulp of avocado.
First, prepare the arugula leaves. They are crushed (can be finely chopped or wiped). Then the avocado is peeled and the pulp is pureed. The prepared ingredients are mixed and placed into portioned containers. Afterwards the workpiece is sent to the freezer.
Shelf life of frozen arugula
The shelf life of arugula in its pure form in the freezer, as well as mixed with other greens, is about a year. But in the form of a seasoning, namely in combination with oil, it should be stored for no more than six months. When mixing arugula with avocado or other vegetable purees, as well as garlic, the shelf life in the freezer is reduced to three months.
How to defrost arugula
According to reviews from many housewives, frozen arugula requires proper defrosting, as this can directly affect its taste. The preservation of nutrients in greens also depends on the method. Therefore, in order to defrost arugula while preserving its original qualities as much as possible, you can follow these instructions:
- First, the workpiece is moved from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment.
- Then the slightly thawed leaves are removed and left at room temperature until completely thawed.
Such defrosting is necessary if the herb is required to be added to salads or hot dishes.
The product with butter can be used without prior defrosting.
Using frozen arugula
Frozen arugula can be added when preparing a variety of dishes. But, since its taste changes slightly and its external qualities are lost (the leaves become softer and darker), such greens are rarely added to salads, usually only in crushed form.But you can use it as a seasoning. Spicy herbs ideally complement meat dishes. Frozen greens can be stewed with beans, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes with the addition of garlic. This preparation is also suitable for pizza and pies. Healthy food connoisseurs prefer to cook green puree soup with frozen arugula. And mixed with avocado, the preparation can be consumed by spreading it on a slice of bread.
Conclusion
You can freeze arugula for the winter in the freezer, especially if the harvest of healthy greens was successful. This method of preparation allows you to preserve most of the nutrients, which makes it possible to replenish the reserves of vitamins and microelements in the body even in the cold season. The only thing worth considering is that the appearance of the leaves and their taste change slightly, to minimize this, you should freeze the greens correctly.
Reviews about freezing arugula for the winter
