How to freeze cucumbers fresh for the winter at home
Each of us loves to eat cucumbers in the summer, however, what about in winter? Today we will analyze how to freeze fresh cucumbers for the winter, because this is the best method to preserve vitamins, nutrients contained in them, and other vegetables.
What cucumbers can be frozen
Only high-quality vegetables are subject to freezing. They should be young, literally only from the garden, ripe. Be sure to select soft cucumbers. Vegetables should not be damaged or rotted or otherwise.
There is simply no exact list of cucumbers to be frozen. They need to be selected by the method of their own trial and error, observation. The main thing to remember is that hybrids are definitely not suitable, as well as salad-type vegetables, since their flesh is soft.
Preparatory stage
After picking fresh vegetables, they need to be thoroughly rinsed and dried. If purchased, then leave them in water for one hour. You can dry it using a paper towel. It is desirable that the drying lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
Next, you need to cut off both ends of the cucumbers, and also check if they are bitter. Next, you should cut them, squeeze out the juice, in general, lead to a state in which they will be frozen.
Freeze cucumbers
There are different methods of freezing. We will only discuss some methods of freezing for the winter at home.
Wholly
Of course, it is better not to freeze vegetables whole, because there will be difficulties with defrosting, and even with cutting. Most do not recommend this method, because the skin of the vegetable becomes lethargic, begins to peel off.
Recipe:
- Vegetables need to be thoroughly washed and, of course, dried.
- Next, you need to cut the ends on both sides.
- Be sure to peel off the peel.
- Fold the vegetables in a plastic bag, or in a pre-made freezer bag.
- Put the whole thing in the freezer.
Freeze in circles
Such freezing of cucumbers for the winter is used if you plan to add the resulting vegetables to salads, sandwiches in winter, or simply decorate dishes with them. Also, cucumbers frozen in this way can be used for cosmetic procedures on the face.
Recipe:
- Dried fresh cucumbers should be chopped into thin slices.
- Then let them dry from the juice that has come out (20-30 minutes).
- Then spread them out in one layer, for example, on a board, tray or something like that.
- Take plastic wrap and cover the whole thing.
- Next, transfer the vegetables to the freezer chamber overnight, then transfer the mugs to the container and leave in the freezer.
Freeze with cubes
These are perfect for okroshka, Russian salad, vinaigrette or something like that. The recipe is pretty simple:
- Cut off the ends of each pre-washed and dried cucumber.
- Chop the vegetables into cubes, then place them on a baking sheet.
- Let them dry for about half an hour.
- Now take plastic wrap and cover the cubes with it, then move the cucumbers to the freezer.
- The next day, move them to a container or bag.
How to freeze cucumber juice
It is frozen for cosmetic use, such as face masks, facial wipes, lotions, and more.
Recipe:
- As usual, wash and dry the cucumbers. Next, they need to be grated.
- Using cheesecloth, squeeze juice from the resulting mixture.
- Next, pour it into special ice molds.
- Then they can be poured into a bag and kept in the refrigerator.
- You can use a juicer, blender, or meat grinder to squeeze out the juice. The main thing is to peel the peel before this.
Freeze pickles
Can pickles be frozen? It often happens that you pickle cucumbers, open pickled vegetables, but don't eat them. In this case, the best option would be to freeze the pickles. Moreover, they will not lose their taste, smell, taste.
Recipe:
- Dry the cucumbers well from moisture.
- Chop lightly salted vegetables into cubes.
- Place them on a chopping board.
- Cover it with special cling film.
- Place in the freezer.
- After 4 hours have passed, take out the frozen cucumbers and transfer to a vacuum bag.
- Then put it back in the freezer.
- Now you know if pickles can be frozen.
Storage
Storing frozen cucumbers is possible for several months, from five to eight. Without freezing, the maximum shelf life is six months.
Defrosting
We learned how to freeze, now let's discuss the reverse process. If the freeze was in the form of cubes or circles, then they will defrost in the dishes where you add them.
If you do this before throwing them into the dish, you will get gruel, for they will lose their appearance.
When it comes to defrosting whole fruit, move the cucumbers from the freezer to the lower compartment before using them. According to knowledgeable people, when you defrost vegetables, they will be slightly watery, but they will not lose their taste and smell. You won't notice the difference between fresh and frozen.
Conclusion
Now you know all the basic ways to freeze cucumbers. This will help you enjoy the wonderful taste of fresh cucumbers during the cold season.
