How to properly freeze dill in the refrigerator for the winter and is it possible
The plant, first of all, is characterized by an attractive aroma that leaves no one indifferent. It is added to any dishes to which it gives a spicy touch. In summer, fresh herbs are available to every housewife, and in winter they can only be purchased on store shelves. It is very popular today to harvest in advance. From this article, readers will learn how to freeze dill in the refrigerator for the winter without losing its taste, aroma and useful qualities.
Pros of freezing
Storing in freezers is considered the best solution to enjoy the greens in the winter. Many people think it's not worth messing around with, because companies that grow this plant in greenhouses all year round supply their products to stores. But they are deeply mistaken, because such dill lacks vitamins, and only nitrates and fertilizers can be found in its composition. In addition, you have to pay far from a penny for a bunch of greenery. Therefore, thrifty hostesses do the right thing, harvesting a fragrant plant in advance.
The advantages of frozen greens are as follows:
- taste and color does not differ from fresh;
- all useful trace elements and vitamins are preserved;
- essential oils do not lose their value.
Preparing dill herbs for freezing
It is recommended to wash the bunches of the plant before harvesting. Cold water is drawn into a bowl, into which greens are dipped. The soaked plants are left for a few minutes. Then they are transferred to a colander or sieve, washed 2-3 times more under running water. Next, the greens are dried. A towel is spread, twigs are laid out on it in one layer, which should lie for about an hour
If you cut the dill and put it in the freezer right away, then it won't look fresh. It will remain a frozen piece of ice.
Freezing methods for dill
Several methods are popular today. Each has advantages in application:
- greens from bags and containers are suitable for flavoring dishes;
- cubes are good for adding to soups and stews;
- frozen butter with a plant goes into sauces, boiled potatoes, and sandwiches.
Before you start storing herbs in the freezer, it is important to know the following rules:
- Only fresh, succulent plants are selected without signs of wilting and damage.
- Young dill with thin stems is suitable for harvesting. If you take greens with a peduncle, then in the end it will smell like caraway.
- Plants should be grown without the use of nitrates in ecologically clean areas.
Freezing with whole branches
The easiest way to save dill - freezing whole plants. For this, good and strong stems are selected.
The branches are thoroughly washed and dried. Then they are packed in bags, wrapped tightly and sent to the freezer.
Take out the required amount before use. It is recommended to knock on the branches in order to chop them.
If whole plants are needed, they are thawed at room temperature for half an hour.
Freezing dill in containers
For this method, small plastic containers are used, which have been thoroughly washed in warm water and dried. Greens are prepared, finely chopped, folded in containers, which are hermetically sealed with a lid.
Some housewives use plastic bottles instead of containers. But they cannot be considered an equivalent replacement, because it is not easy to get the contents out of such a container.
Chopped dill in portions
Plants are cut into small pieces with or without stems, depending on your preference for dill. The chopped greens are put into bags in small portions.
When the freezer is taken out of the freezer, it thaws quickly. If you defrost and open the bag repeatedly, the aroma will disappear.
It is recommended that you prepare portion sizes that will last 2-3 times.
Or use small packages for one application. Dill bags are rolled up and put into the freezer.
Freezing herbs in foil
After the plants are prepared for harvesting, they are not cut, but wrapped in foil whole. It is necessary to prepare such portions that there is enough dill for one dressing of the dish. Before use, the packaging is unfolded, the contents are thawed and cut. Repeatedly freezing it in this way is not worth it.
In ice molds
You can freeze dill in the freezer with ice cubes without preliminary drying. The whole process looks like this:
- A bunch of greens is taken, washed and immediately cut into pieces.
- Folds out into cells, maximally compacted.
- The contents are poured with cold boiled water.
- Dill molds are placed in the freezer.
The cubes are frozen within 3-4 hours. The cells are then wrapped in bags to preserve the flavor. Or taken out, poured into tight plastic bags and put back into the freezer. It is recommended to sign the frost, otherwise it will be difficult to determine the fine content of the ice cubes later.
In oil or broth
To properly freeze dill with butter or broth, you need:
- finely chop the greens;
- mix with soft butter or broth;
- mix the mixture well;
- give the desired shape - sausage or briquette;
- put the herbs in the freezer for 15 minutes;
- after hardening, transfer the dill into plastic bags and send for further storage.
Freezing greens is the best solution to provide yourself and your family with a fresh and healthy fragrant plant for the long winter. For this, several methods are used to preserve all vitamins. Which one to choose, each hostess decides independently.
