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Can you freeze fresh kale without blanching?
You can freeze kale without blanching, but plan to use it within four to six weeks. For frozen kale that lasts eight to 12 months, blanch leaves and stems. Blanch leaves for 2.5 minutes, covering the boiling water pot with a lid to steam-heat floating leaves. Blanch stems for 3 minutes.
Does spinach and kale freeze well?
Freezing greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard is a great way to preserve them before they go bad. Once you freeze your spinach or kale into cubes, it’s very easy to use them later in smoothies, soups, stews, or pasta dishes.
Can you freeze raw spinach and kale?
You can freeze kale (and bagged spinach), so you can keep it on hand without it getting all gross and stinky in the back of your refrigerator. It’s incredibly simple to do, but if you’re new to freezing vegetables make sure keep reading to understand how to make the best use of your frozen kale (or spinach).
How do you prepare kale for freezing?
Here’s how: Wash the kale well. Dry the kale using towels or a salad spinner—moisture left on the kale leaves can lead to freezer burn. Tear the kale leaves off the woody stem. Layer the kale on a large baking sheet. Transfer the frozen kale leaves to your preferred freezer container.
Why do you have to blanch kale before freezing?
If you want to store your frozen leafy greens for several months they need to be blanched first. While you can freeze kale and other leafy greens raw they will only keep for a month to month and a half before the texture, color and flavor all start to deteriorate.
How long does Unblanched kale Last frozen?
ANSWER: Unblanched kale can be frozen, but it shouldn’t be used for long-term storage as it will become bitter. Without blanching, frozen kale should be consumed within four to six weeks, whereas blanched frozen kale lasts eight to 12 months.
Can you freeze fresh spinach?
Can you freeze spinach? You definitely can, and the result serves fabulous flavor when you start with freshly picked leaves. You won’t be able to serve the thawed product in fresh salads, but frozen spinach is versatile in the kitchen.
What vegetables can be frozen without blanching?
When you’re planning on freezing peas, butterbeans, corn, squash and zucchini you don’t need to blanch them first. She said that you pour out all the goodness when you drain them. She also said that she doesn’t thaw hers when she’s ready to cook them.
Can you freeze fresh greens without blanching?
The recommended process to freeze greens is to blanch them first. However, it is not required. You can freeze your fresh greens and other vegetables without freezing them if you like. The best way to freeze greens without blanching is to “pre-freeze” your greens before fully freezing them.
Can fresh chopped kale be frozen?
Any raw kale can be frozen. So the next time you purchase too much at the store, don’t let it go to waste. Simply wash, chop, blanch, then flash-freeze your kale to enjoy at a later date. Frozen kale will keep up to one year, and can be used in a number of recipes.
Do I need to blanch spinach before freezing?
Spinach and other greens need to be blanched before freezing. This helps retain the color and nutrition. Bring enough water to cover your spinach to a boil.
Do you wash kale before freezing?
Leafy kale has a tendency to trap dirt and requires a good rinse before freezing. Because the leaves and stems cook at different rates, you’ll need to separate them before you freeze them. Roughly chop the leaves and cut the stems into roughly 1-inch pieces, and be sure to thoroughly wash and dry both before freezing.
What can I do with large amounts of kale?
10 Ways to Love Kale Mor More Massage it in a salad. Make kale chips. Pair it with nuts. Try dinosaur kale. Throw it in the soup. Make it the green in “a grain, a green, and a bean.” Put kale in a burger. Put it in a green smoothie.
How do you blanch kale for freezing?
Notes Pick the most desirable leaves. Wash kale. Chop kale into desired size. Place in boiling water. Cool kale in ice water bath, drain and pat dry. Pack blanched kale tightly into ice cube tray. Once frozen solid, remove from ice cube try into freezer bag. Use straw to remove as much air from freezer bag as possible.
How long should you blanch kale?
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add salt to taste and the kale. Blanch for 3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking, and drain. Take the blanched kale up by the handful and squeeze hard to expel excess water, then chop fine.
Why do you blanch greens?
Blanching stops enzyme actions which otherwise cause loss of flavor, color and texture. In addition, blanching removes some surface dirt and microorganisms, brightens color and helps slow vitamin losses. It also wilts greens and softens some vegetables (broccoli, asparagus) and makes them easier to pack.
Does blanching greens remove nutrients?
Vegetables should always be blanched before freezing or drying them. While blanching dramatically reduces the rate of nutrient loss from food storage and preservation, it does itself cause some nutrient loss, particularly a reduction in water soluble nutrients.
Should you blanch kale for salad?
Blanching kale helps soften the tough fibers and makes it easier to chew. Most people do not care for raw kale, so blanching is a quick and easy way of making the leafy green more palatable. For this salad, I blanched up some kale and added a tricked out sesame dressing to it.
How long does frozen kale last?
Once they’re frozen, transfer the kale leaves to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 8 months.
Can I freeze fresh kale for smoothies?
Wash, dry, and remove kale leaves from the stems. Place into a zip top freezer bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Crush the leaves to make them easy to measure for smoothies and to help the bag take up less space in the freezer.
Is frozen kale already cooked?
“Frozen kale is often less intimidating to consumers since it is cooked the same way as frozen spinach and can be added to a variety of dishes,” says Jones. Since fresh kale can be very bulky and tough, people may attempt to eat it raw without cooking or massaging and then determine they do not like it, she cautions.
