Table of Contents
Fill the towel with leaves, then roll it up and squeeze to remove excess water. Quick-freeze small clumps of kale individually on a cookie sheet. After they’re frozen, place clumps into freezer bags in bulk. Remove as much air as possible from bags before sealing.
How do you store kale in the freezer?
Dry the blanched kale thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels, then freeze the dry leaves flat on a rimmed baking sheet until frozen solid, 1 to 2 hours. Once they’re frozen, transfer the kale leaves to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 8 months.
Does freezing kale ruin it?
Kale, like few other vegetables, freezes beautifully — but you have to deactivate enzymes in the kale before putting it in the freezer. Most vegetables have these enzymes that cause the vegetables to continue aging and rotting even if the vegetable is frozen.
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 do you store kale after harvesting?
How to Store Kale Kale will store for two to three weeks at 32° to 34°F (0°-4°C) and 90 to 95 percent humidity (moist) with some air circulation. Wrap leaves in a moist cloth or paper towel and store them in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator; this will keep leaves from drying.
Can I 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.
Do you have to wash kale before freezing?
Do you have to wash kale before freezing: Absolutely. It is much easier to remove dirt from fresh kale than frozen kale, so you might as well do the work upfront.
Does freezing kale reduce nutritional value?
Is frozen kale healthy? Yes! Frozen vegetables in general can actually be healthier that fresh veggies if they are picked and prepared at the peak of freshness when their vitamins are at there peak. Some vitamin C and B vitamins can be lost during the blanching process, but the majority of the nutrients are preserved.
Is frozen kale as good as fresh?
If you’re wondering whether frozen kale is as healthy as the fresh stuff, it totally is. It has all of the same nutrients that fresh kale has, and sometimes even more, depending on how “fresh” your fresh kale really is. Frozen kale is also a great way to eat kale year round, when it’s not available locally.
Is frozen kale less nutritious than fresh?
Generally speaking, freezing helps retain the nutrient content of fruits and vegetables. However, some nutrients begin to break down when frozen produce is stored for more than a year ( 2 ). Certain nutrients are also lost during the blanching process. In fact, the greatest loss of nutrients occurs at this time.
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.
How long does blanched kale last?
Store blanched kale up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Make sure it is sealed properly in a plastic bag or container. It still eventually wilts, but it will last a little longer than raw kale. Label the bags or bins so you know when the kale was blanched.
Why do you blanch kale?
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.
How long will fresh picked kale last?
KALE – FRESH, RAW, LOOSE To maximize the shelf life of raw kale, refrigerate in a plastic bag; do not wash until ready to use. Properly stored, raw kale will usually keep well for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
What can I do with a lot 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.
Does kale need to be refrigerated?
Kale should be stored in the refrigerator, and kept in a plastic tub or bag. Since kale needs to breathe, it’s best if the bag or tub does not seal completely, but allows for some air flow.
Can you freeze Unblanched kale?
Can you freeze fresh kale without blanching? Yes! In fact, we prefer it because unblanched kale retains its texture well. However, one big advantage of blanching kale is that it takes up a lot less space in the freezer because the kale has wilted.
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.
