Do you think you can freeze kale?
Kale is a superfood that has been around since ancient times.
It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals and is low in calories.
It’s also very versatile and can be used in salads, soups and stir fries.
I’m going to explain you how to store kale properly so you can enjoy it throughout the year.
How To Freeze Kale
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K. It is also loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals. In addition, kale contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that help protect eyesight from macular degeneration. Kale is also a good source of folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B6. You can freeze kale in several ways. First, you can blanch it in boiling water for about 2 minutes. Then, chill it in ice water until it is cold. Once chilled, transfer it to a freezer bag or container. Next, place the frozen kale in the refrigerator. This way, you can enjoy kale throughout the year.
1. Preparing the kale
Blanching is the process of boiling vegetables briefly to remove undesirable flavors and textures. Blanching helps retain nutrients and enzymes. For freezing, boil the kale in salted water for 3 minutes. Remove the kale from the boiling water using tongs and immediately plunge into an ice bath. Let the kale cool completely, drain well, and pat dry. Transfer the kale to a resealable plastic bag or container. Place the kale in the freezer. 2. Freezing the kale Answer: After removing the kale from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid from the kale. Pat dry with paper towels. Transfer the kale to the resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and store in the freezer. 3. Thawing the kale Answer: Thaw the kale in the refrigerator overnight. Drain any remaining liquid. Toss the thawed kale with dressing if desired. Serve immediately. 4. Serving the kale Answer: Enjoy the kale plain or toss it with salad greens.
2. Blanching the kale
For freezing, boil the kale for 3 minutes. Remove from the boiling water using a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into an icy bath. Let the kale stand in the ice bath until chilled, about 2 minutes. Drain well. 3. Freezing the kale Answer: After removing the kale, let it rest at room temperature for 5 min. Drain any remaining liquid and pat dry with paper towels. Store in a resealable plastic zip-top bag. Freeze the kale. 4. Thawing the Kale Answer: Thaw frozen kale in the fridge overnight. Drain any remaining water. Toss with dressing if desired. 5. Serving the kale Answer: Enjoy the blanched kale plain or toss it in a salad.
3. Freezing for long term
Blanch the kale for 3 minutes, remove from the boiling water using tongs and immediately plunge into an ice bath. Let the kale sit in the ice bath until completely cooled, about 2 minutes. Transfer the kale to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze the kale. 4.Thawing the kale Answer: Thaw the frozen kale in the refrigerator overnight. Drain any remaining liquid. Toss with dressing if desired.
How To Use Frozen Kale
To use frozen kale, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the kale from the freezer and drain off any remaining liquid. Tear the kale into bite-size pieces and toss with dressing if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
How To Defrost Frozen Kale
Defrosting frozen vegetables is easy. Simply place them in a colander set over a bowl and run cold water over them until thawed. Drain well and serve immediately.
How Long Can You Freeze Kale?
Kale can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. It can be used in soups, stews, salads, and even stir-fries. To freeze kale, cut off the leaves from the stems, wash thoroughly, pat dry, and store in resealable plastic bags.
Is freezing kale bad?
Yes, you can freeze kale without losing any of its nutrients. But, if you freeze kale longer than 3 months, it loses some of the nutrients.
Does freezing kale destroy nutrients?
Yes, frozen kale is safe to eat. However, if you freeze kale for longer periods of time, it loses some of its nutrients.
Can I freeze raw kale?
Kale contains many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, C, K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, and omega 3 fatty acids. It is rich in fiber and low in calories. Freezing does not affect the nutritional value of kale.
Is frozen kale safe?
To prepare kale for freezing, wash and dry the leaves thoroughly. Remove any stems and cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Place the kale in a freezer bag or container and store in the freezer. To thaw frozen kale, place in a bowl of cold water and let stand until thawed. Drain well and serve immediately.
Does freezing kale ruin it?
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, C, K, iron, calcium, fiber, folate, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and omega 3 fatty acids. It is low in calories and fat. However, if you freeze kale, it loses some of its nutritional value. Freezing kale reduces its nutrient content by about 25 percent.
Can you freeze kale without losing nutrients?
Yes, you can freeze kale. But, it is important to know how long you can store it in the freezer. Frozen kale can last up to six months. To extend its shelf life even longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable bag.
How do I prepare kale for freezing?
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in nutrients. It contains calcium, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, folate, fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Kale is also known to help lower cholesterol levels. However, if you freeze kale, it could lose its nutritional value. Freezing destroys enzymes and vitamins. Therefore, frozen kale loses its ability to absorb minerals and nutrients from other foods.
