3 Ways to Freeze Parsley
Introduction:
Parsley is a wonderful and versatile herb that adds flavor and color to your dishes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last forever in your fridge, and it can lose its vibrant color when dried. Freezing parsley is an excellent way to preserve its freshness, taste, and beneficial properties. Here are three effective ways to freeze parsley to keep it fresh and flavorful for months.
Method 1: Freeze Whole Sprigs
1. Clean the parsley: Start by washing the parsley thoroughly under cold, running water. Shake off the excess water and pat the sprigs dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
2. Remove excess stems: Remove the thick and woody stems but leave enough to hold the sprigs together.
3. Prepare a freezer bag or container: Label a freezer-safe bag or container with the date and type of herb. Open up the bag or container for easy filling.
4. Place parsley sprigs in bag or container: Put the whole parsley sprigs into the freezer bag or container in a single layer without overcrowding them.
5. Seal and freeze: Press out any excess air from the bag before sealing it securely. If using a container, ensure that there’s enough room for air circulation before sealing the lid tightly. Place in your freezer right away for future use.
Method 2: Freeze Chopped Parsley in Ice Cube Trays
1. Clean and chop the parsley: Wash the parsley as
2. Fill ice cube trays with chopped parsley: Fill each cell of your ice cube tray with one tablespoon of chopped parsley, pressing down gently to pack it properly.
3. Add water or oil: Pour water or olive oil over each cell of chopped parsley until it is covered completely.
4. Freeze the tray: Cover the ice cube tray with plastic wrap or a fitted lid and place it in the freezer for several hours or until completely frozen.
5. Transfer to a freezer bag: Once frozen, remove the parsley cubes from the tray and store them in a labeled, freezer-safe bag. Press out any excess air and seal tightly before returning them to the freezer.
Method 3: Freeze Parsley Puree in Small Portions
1. Clean and process the parsley: Wash and dry the parsley as previously described. Remove leaves from stems, and using a food processor or blender, blend the parsley leaves with a little olive oil until they form a smooth puree.
2. Prepare parchment paper or wax paper: Cut small squares of parchment paper or wax paper in advance.
3. Portion parsley puree: Scoop one tablespoon of parsley puree onto each square of parchment or wax paper.
4. Fold and freeze: Fold up the paper around each scoop of puree, forming a tight package. Place these small packages on a tray or plate, ensuring they don’t touch each other, and freeze until solid.
5. Transfer to freezer storage: Once frozen, transfer the parsley puree packages to a labeled freezer-safe bag, press out excess air, seal securely, and store them in your freezer.
Conclusion:
By using any of these freezing methods for your parsley, you will always have fresh-tasting herbs at your fingertips whenever you need them for cooking and garnishing. The preserved parsley will retain its flavor for up to six months when stored correctly in the freezer. Make sure to use it within this time frame for optimal taste and quality.