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Rowers are often classified as inedible mushrooms. This opinion is erroneous, since if properly prepared they can be eaten without any negative consequences. For many, the pressing question is how to preserve mushrooms for the winter. To do this, it is recommended to freeze the rows, ensuring their long-term preservation.
Is it possible to freeze rows
Mushrooms collected in the forest or purchased can be pickled, marinated or prepared in other ways. But in order for them to be preserved for a long time, it is necessary to create conditions suitable for this. By freezing you can keep the rows fresh. In the future, it will be enough to defrost them and cook any dish with them at your discretion.
Preparing rows for freezing
To freeze and ensure long-term preservation of the rows, they must first be prepared. Some people prefer to put it in the freezer fresh. This should not be done, as such freezing is fraught with negative consequences.
Among them:
- reduction of shelf life;
- the likelihood of a strong odor;
- the appearance of mold and putrefactive lesions;
- pronounced bitter taste after defrosting.
After purchasing or independently collecting in the forest, thorough cleaning is necessary:
Adhering leaves and blades of grass and other contaminants are removed from the surface of the caps. Use a knife to cut off spoiled areas so that they are not stored together with the main product.
It is not recommended to freeze the lower part of the legs. It is hard and practically unsuitable for use in cooking.
Cleaning can be done in the following ways:
- removing dirt from the surface of the legs and caps without contact with water (dry method);
- cleaning after a short soak in water (wet method).
If the rows have been in contact with water, they must be dried before freezing. Otherwise, retained moisture will damage the structure, which will affect the taste.
How to freeze rows for the winter
There are 2 simple ways to freeze. The first involves fresh preparation without preliminary heat treatment. The mushrooms are pre-cleaned of contaminants and washed. Next, they are dried, collected in a suitable container and placed in the freezer.
Another method involves heat treatment. Before freezing row mushrooms for the winter, they should be boiled in water. Thanks to this, they retain their structure, taste, and take up less space in the freezer.
Cooking steps:
- Place a pan half filled with water on the fire.
- When the liquid boils, add a little salt.
- The rows (whole or pre-chopped) are placed in boiling water.
- Reduce heat and skim off any foam that forms.
- Cook without covering the pan with a lid.
- After 15 minutes, the rows are thrown into a colander, allowing to drain and cool.
An important advantage of heat treatment over freezing is that there are no contaminants or harmful microorganisms left on the mushrooms that can cause mold.
When the water has drained from the rows, they are laid out on a tray or immediately placed in storage containers. You can distribute the product in portions, indicating the freezing date on each container. After this, they are placed in the freezer and not removed from there for at least 12 hours.
Thawed mushrooms can be fried or used to prepare first courses. They will also be a good addition to salads and savory pastries.
Terms and conditions of storage
When frozen, mushrooms are stored for a long period of time. The shelf life directly depends on the conditions inside the freezer. At a temperature of -14-18°C, the workpiece will last for 6-8 months. If the temperature is below -18, the shelf life increases to 1 year or longer.
The climatic conditions inside the chamber must be constant. Temperature jumps are unacceptable during deep freezing, as they affect the safety of the products contained in the freezer. Thawed rows, like any other workpieces, are not recommended to be re-frozen.
Conclusion
The need to freeze rows arises for everyone who wants to preserve them for the winter. This allows you to significantly increase shelf life. If properly frozen and maintained at the required temperature, the rows will last for at least six months.Once defrosted, they can be used to prepare a variety of dishes and snacks.
