The best ways to freeze broccoli for the winter

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Broccoli cabbage occupies one of the leading positions among all vegetables in terms of the content of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It contains the most plant-based protein, vitamin C and serotonin, which are essential for a good mood. Broccoli also synthesizes a substance that fights cancer cells.

You can endlessly list the beneficial properties of a vegetable that grows in the beds of almost every summer resident, but you should pay special attention to freezing broccoli for the winter at home.

Broccoli is a very naughty vegetable in terms of storage. Cabbage does not tolerate heat, therefore, immediately after picking it from the garden, it should be put in a cool room, and it is better to freeze it. When properly frozen, it will retain all its beneficial properties.

Time and conditions for harvesting broccoli

Freezing technology is very simple and preparing broccoli for the winter will not take much of your time. Particular attention should be paid to the quality and appearance of the harvested product.

Mandatory conditions

Harvesting time is the end of June or the beginning of July, when the inflorescences have not yet opened and contain the maximum amount of nutrients.

Only green inflorescences without a single flaw are suitable for freezing.

It is worth taking care in advance that the equipment for processing vegetables is at hand. This will make the broccoli preparation process easier and faster.

You will need:

• 2 pots;
• cutting board;
• sharp knife;
• freezer bags or containers;
• towel or drying tray.

Depending on the method of heat treatment of cabbage inflorescences that you choose, check and prepare a steamer or multicooker.

Preparation of cabbage inflorescences

Cleansing the product before harvesting is a prerequisite for freezing broccoli for the winter at home:

1. We remove dirt, dry leaves, tough stems, bruises and yellow buds.
2. Thoroughly wash the vegetable in running water or soak it for 1 hour and only then rinse it under the tap.
3. Separate by hand or cut the cabbage with a sharp knife into separate inflorescences measuring 2-3 centimeters.
4. Soak the broccoli pieces again in cold water and wait 30 minutes.

Acidification of water will help preserve the green color of the product. For this, lemon juice, citric acid solution or table vinegar are suitable. The calculation is made in the proportion of 1 teaspoon of the substance per 1 liter of water.

Blanching

Before freezing, broccoli should be blanched to preserve all its beneficial properties. This is a short-term heat treatment of harvested inflorescences before freezing with steam or boiling water.

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Blanching can be done by boiling the vegetable in pans or using a double boiler

Pot method

Each housewife has a set of pots of various capacities in the kitchen and there should not be any difficulties in the process of processing broccoli.

1. Take a 3-liter saucepan and fill it up to 2/3 its volume.
2. Bring the water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
3. We add the washed cabbage inflorescences to water with boiling water and cook for 2 minutes over low heat.
4. Turn off the gas and drain the boiling water.
5. Place the broccoli in cold ice water for 30 minutes.
6. We take out the prepared inflorescences and lay them out on a towel or drying tray.
7. We are waiting for the complete drying of the product.

Broccoli is completely ready to freeze.

Steamer method

A steamer is not a luxury, but an assistant in the preparation of everyday meals and preparations for the winter. Under the influence of steam, broccoli will retain all its vitamins and nutrients:

1. Pour water into a double boiler, set the desired operating mode.
2. Put the cabbage inflorescences in a double boiler and wait 3-4 minutes.
3. After heat exposure, place the steamed cabbage in a pot of cold water.
4. We take out the cooled product, lay it out and wait for the broccoli inflorescences to dry completely.

For freezing broccoli for the winter at home, a multicooker with a steamer function is suitable. The blanching technology is the same as with a double boiler and a regular saucepan.

When the broccoli is completely dry, proceed directly to the freezing process. It is recommended to harvest broccoli inflorescences in small portions in special containers or freezer bags. You must indicate the date and time when the vegetable was placed in the freezer.

If you follow the technology of freezing broccoli for the winter at home, you and your loved ones will enjoy the quality and taste of the summer product at any time of the year. Vegetables prepared in the freezer will not lose their useful properties and will retain their vitamin and mineral composition and will delight every housewife with the convenience of cooking.