Freezing is an easy and effective way to preserve your celery. Whether you’ve got a surplus of fresh-picked celery or simply want to enjoy it all year round, freezing can be a great option. However, there are some key steps you need to take in order to ensure maximum freshness and flavor when freezing celery. Let’s dive into the process!
How to Freeze Celery?
How Long Does Celery Last?
Before you begin freezing your celery, it’s important to know how long it will last. Fresh celery can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, depending on its freshness when you bought it. If frozen correctly and stored properly, celery can typically last six months or longer in a home freezer.
Can You Freeze Celery?
Yes! Freezing celery is an excellent way to preserve the crisp, fresh flavor of your favorite veggie. It’s also a great way to save money on purchasing pre-chopped celery at the grocery store. If you freeze it correctly, your frozen celery should last up to six months in your home freezer.
How to Freeze Celery? 5 detailed Easy Steps!
There are several steps to correctly freezing celery in order to ensure maximum freshness and flavor:
1. Prepare the celery –
Begin by washing the celery in cold water. Trim off any brown or wilted parts and then slice it into cubes or sticks that are no larger than one inch in size.
2. Blanching –
Blanching is a process of briefly boiling vegetables to stop enzyme activity which can cause discoloration, flavor loss, and texture changes when frozen. Boil a pot of water and submerge the sliced celery for about 2 minutes. Immediately after blanching, transfer it to a bowl of ice water for 3-4 minutes to cool it down quickly and lock in color and flavor. Then, drain it well and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Package –
Place the blanched celery in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the celery to freeze completely. When it’s solid, transfer it to an airtight container or sealed freezer bag and label with the date before returning to the freezer.
4. Store –
Place your frozen celery into the coldest part of your home freezer as this is where temperatures are most consistent. You can also store multiple containers together at once if they fit in your space!
5. Use –
When you’re ready to use your frozen celery, simply remove how much you need from its container and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or for about 15 minutes on the countertop. Enjoy!
By following these easy steps you can ensure maximum freshness and flavor with your frozen celery. It’s a great way to preserve your favorite veggie, save money on purchasing pre-chopped celery at the grocery store, and enjoy it all year round. Have fun freezing!
Storing Frozen Celery
When storing celery in the freezer, it’s important to ensure that the temperature stays cold and consistent. This helps to prevent ice crystals from forming on the celery and maintains its texture and flavor. The best place to store frozen celery is in the coldest part of your home freezer, such as near the back wall or on the bottom shelf.
It’s also important to make sure that your celery is tightly sealed in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag before storing it. This helps keep out moisture and prevent freezer burn from occurring. Finally, be sure to label your containers with the date frozen so you can easily keep track of when you put it in the freezer and how long it’s been stored.
With these tips, you can be sure to keep your frozen celery fresh and flavorful for up to six months!
FAQS
1. What is the best way to freeze celery?
The best way to freeze celery is to prepare it by washing, trimming off any brown or wilted parts and slicing into cubes or sticks no larger than one inch in size. Then blanch the celery by briefly boiling it for 2 minutes before transferring it to a bowl of ice water for 3-4 minutes. After draining and patting dry, place the blanched celery in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow to freeze completely before transferring to an airtight container or sealed freezer bag and labeling with the date before returning to the freezer.
2. Can you freeze celery without blanching?
Yes, celery can be frozen without blanching, however it’s not recommended. Blanching helps to stop enzyme activity which can cause discoloration, flavor loss and texture changes when frozen. It also helps to preserve the color and flavor of the celery when thawed out later.
3. Does celery get mushy after freezing?
Celery can become mushy after freezing if it is not blanched properly. Blanching helps to stop enzyme activity which can cause discoloration, flavor loss and texture changes when frozen. For best results, blanch the celery by briefly boiling it for 2 minutes before transferring it to a bowl of ice water for 3-4 minutes and pat dry before freezing. Doing so will ensure that your celery remains crisp and flavorful when thawed out later.
Conclusion:
Freezing is an excellent way to preserve your fresh-picked celery so that you can enjoy it all year round! By following these three simple steps – prepping, blanching, and freezing – you can ensure maximum freshness when storing your celery in the freezer. For best results always store properly labeled containers of frozen celery away from other foods in order to prevent cross contamination of flavors (or odors) between items stored next door! Allowing you delicious homegrown recipes no matter what season it may be outside!