ᐉ How to freeze petiole celery

How to freeze celery

The best leaf celery for harvesting for the winter is autumn. It has large dark green leaves and juicy fleshy stems, which can also be frozen and added to broths, sauces, jellied meats and aspic. As you already understood from the title of the recipe, today there will be a detailed article on how to freeze celery and how to prepare it for the winter in different ways. We have three of them: we prepare leaf celery finely chopped, freeze it in a bunch, and freeze celery stalks separately - they are useful for vitamin smoothies or for flavoring meat and vegetable broths, soups, and sauces.

Freezing Leaf Celery

We wash the stems and leaves, cut off the defective ones and lay them out on a towel. When they are dry, take only the leaves, cut them into strips, and put them in bags. Wrap it tightly and put it in the freezer.

Since celery stalks are quite tough, they need to be frozen separately and added to the dish at the very beginning of cooking. We chop the stems, dry them on a tray and freeze them.

In winter, using such preparations you can make any soup or broth tastier and more aromatic.

How to freeze celery at home

Ingredients:

Large bunches of celery;
freezer bags;
cling film or polyethylene;
food container (optional).

How to freeze leaf celery for the winter

We untie the bunches and immediately separate the leaves from the stems. We will freeze everything separately, in different bags.

Rinse the leaves with tap water or put them in a bowl of water, then rinse. Shake the colander and lightly tap it to dry the greens faster.

Place the leaves in one layer on a towel. To speed up drying, you can roll it up and press it. Or leave to air dry for 30-40 minutes, turning over several times.

Before slicing, check how dry the greens are; if they are wet, they will stick together when frozen. We cut the leaves into thin strips, as we usually do for seasoning soups and main courses.

Leaf celery has a very strong, long-lasting flavor, so it is best to freeze and store it in a resealable container or sealed bag. Pour the chopped leaves into a package and put them in the freezer. They freeze quickly and will be hard in two hours.

Preparing celery for the winter - freezing in bunches

Small shoots can be frozen whole by collecting several branches in bunches. How to use frozen celery in bunches? Exactly the same as fresh: add to broths and soups when cooking, to aspic or jellied pork and beef legs. Very convenient and rational. Unlike finely chopped greens, which can only be removed by straining, a bunch is removed at the right time with a slotted spoon. We select not very large branches and wash them thoroughly, especially the part closer to the root. Wrap in a towel and dry.

Measure out how much cling film you need. We lay the branches and close them from the bottom.

Roll it up tightly so that the greens are covered with film on all sides. Put it in the freezer.

How to Freeze Celery Stems

Petiole celery and regular celery are often confused, mistaking large leaf or root shoots for it. The petiolate stems are thick, finger-thick, fleshy, the leaves are collected at the top. In our case, we will freeze the stems, those from which the leaves have been torn off. They wonderfully flavor broths and soups, and if the size of your freezer allows, prepare a few bags; they will come in handy in winter. Cut the stems into pieces of 8-10 cm.

Put it in a bag, roll it up and put it in the freezer. After two to three hours you can transfer it to permanent storage. We'll be sure to write it down so we don't mix it up later.

Frozen celery can be used for a variety of dishes; when frozen, the greens do not lose their rich aroma, taste, or beneficial properties.

We hope that our tips on how to freeze celery for the winter will be useful to you. While the fresh herbs season is in full swing, don't limit yourself to just freezing parsley or dill. The more choice you have, the tastier and more varied your daily menu will be. Have a delicious winter!

How to properly freeze celery

Crispy celery is a valuable plant. Its roots and leaves contain vitamins of groups A, B, C and K, essential for humans. Our ancestors considered celery a medicinal plant. Due to the fact that it contains a huge amount of calcium, essential oil, manganese, fiber, iron, phosphorus, the aging process slows down. Greens are used to treat nervous disorders; celery has a calming effect and strengthens the central nervous system. In addition, the plant activates gastric processes. Celery roots and leaves are indicated for diabetics and help with migraines and headaches.

The juicy vegetable is widely used in cooking. It is the main ingredient for preparing various soups, salads, vegetable dishes and side dishes. Unfortunately, celery is not available in stores and supermarkets all year round. And sometimes you really want to cook a dish with crispy greens. To avoid inconvenience, the plant can be preserved for the winter - frozen. Or dry it, but then the freshness and juiciness of the fragrant stems will disappear.

How to dry celery correctly

You can make blanks from leaf celery for the winter. Drying is considered the simplest method. It is easier to dry in bunches, not in direct sun, in a cool room. You can lay it out on a flat surface and dry it by covering it with a sheet of parchment. The process lasts about a month. The finished product can be ground into powder and used as a spice,

maybe a little bigger. In any case, such products should be stored in glass containers with a tight-fitting lid. It is advisable to place it in a dark and dry place.

You can dry celery root in the same way. Cut it into shapes convenient for you (cubes, rings, strips), dry well. Store in glass containers in a dark, dry place. Such preparations are convenient to use in both first and second courses, and in sauces.

Recipe for freezing celery root

The best preservation option is freezing in the refrigerator. This will allow you to preserve the unique properties of the vegetable and treat your loved ones with healthy homemade dishes during the cold season.

celery root 1 pc.

Like stalk celery, frozen root can be used in soups and meat dishes.

Tip: other root vegetables, such as carrots, can also be prepared for freezing in this way.

Celery Canning Recipes

Recipe No. 1

celery root - 100 grams
celery greens - 100 grams
parsley - 100 grams
leek - 100 grams (white stem)
salt - 100 grams

Cut the celery roots into thin strips, celery and parsley into large pieces 1.5 cm long, leeks into rings.
Place the ingredients in a bowl, add salt, mix. Then place tightly in jars and leave to release the juice. Cover with airtight lids and store in a cool place. Recipe No. 2. Petiole celery prepared in marinade for the winter.

Recipe for freezing celery stalks

Number of servings: 1

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Energy value

calorie content – 12 kcal;
proteins – 0.9 g;
fats – 0.1 g;
carbohydrates – 2.1 g.

Ingredients

Celery stalks - 1 bunch.

Step-by-step preparation

Separate the stems from each other. Wash thoroughly in cool water to remove dirt and sand.
We tear off the leaves - this is the answer to whether it is possible to freeze celery, the stems of which have been taken away. Next we will prepare them.
Cut the petioles into thin pieces. Place in a pan of boiling water for 2 minutes.
Place in a colander. Spread on a dry, clean towel and leave until completely dry.
Place the celery on a tray so that each piece lies separately and does not touch the next one. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
After the specified time we take it out. Transfer to a ziplock bag or storage container. Close the container tightly. We send the workpiece to the freezer.

Preparing to Freeze Celery

Freeze a stalk of celery

Celery stalks are used for freezing. Choose ones that are crispy and tender because they are more likely to freeze well.

Avoid stems with coarse threads when you freeze celery.

Cleaning celery

Once you have selected the stalks you plan to freeze, thoroughly clean the celery. Rinse with cool water and wipe the surface to remove any remaining dirt. Rinse them again under cold water and use a sharp knife to trim the base of each stem and remove any threads that may be hanging from the ends.

If you notice that any parts of the celery stalks are discolored, trim them off as well.

Chop celery

Once the celery stalks are clean, use a knife to cut them to the length you need. If you're not sure what recipes you plan to use celery for in the future, chopping it into 1-inch pieces will generally work for most dishes.

It can sometimes be difficult to chop celery stalks after they've been frozen, so it's best to take the time to chop before freezing, even if you're not entirely sure what size is appropriate.

Freezing secrets

Petiole celery itself very quickly loses juice and withers, and therefore freezing is considered one of the best options for preserving the beneficial properties of the plant. With this method, certain conditions must be met. To ensure that celery does not lose its integrity during freezing and is subsequently soft, the plant must be dried well. Dry stems, leaves and roots are the key to successful and long-term freezing.

Another secret to excellent freezing is washing. Celery stalks need to be thoroughly peeled at the base. This is where all the dirt and sand accumulates. If the stems are not washed well, they will begin to rot and the workpiece will be spoiled.

In what container should I store it?

For better shelf life of frozen celery, it is most practical to use plastic thermal containers. However, they take up a lot of space in the refrigerator. If your freezer is fairly compact, you can freeze celery in foil or bags.

Frozen celery would be best used in soups or vegetable stews. It will add piquancy, subtle aroma and specific taste to dishes. By adding a plant to your diet, you can eat a variety of foods, lose weight and fill your body with minerals, vitamins and nutrients.

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Is it possible to freeze celery for the winter?

Freezing is the best option for long-term storage of vegetables. The procedure has the following advantages over other harvesting methods:

does not require the addition of preservatives - salt, sugar and vinegar - therefore, the frozen product in taste, color and aroma is almost no different from the fresh one, except for the reduced moisture content;
unlike drying, freezing is easy and quick to do at home;
Celery can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.

The disadvantage of this method is that when defrosted, celery loses its elasticity and is not suitable for preparing salads. However, in soups and other hot dishes this minus is almost unnoticeable.

Can it be frozen?

Petiole celery can be frozen . This limits the possibilities of its further use - thawed stems will no longer be elastic and crispy, so they will have to be used for preparing hot dishes, not in salads.

But, if we are talking about long-term storage, freezing is the best option, since the vegetable can be stored in the refrigerator without freezing for longer than a few days. Drying is impossible without the use of special equipment. Freezing is quite simple, the main thing is to follow the instructions.

How to freeze correctly

If you simply stick celery in the freezer without preliminary preparation, it will turn into an unappetizing lump of ice, and after defrosting it will be very problematic to wash and peel . Vegetables that are infected with disease or have elements of rot can spread the infection throughout the freezer and cause an unpleasant odor that will be difficult to get rid of.

To avoid such problems, celery is carefully selected and prepared according to the type of vegetable and how it will be used after defrosting.

Preparing for freezing

Before freezing, celery is washed and cleaned of hard veins and damaged fragments. Then let it dry so that the excess liquid does not turn into ice.

Celery can be frozen completely or chopped in any convenient way.

Blanching extends the shelf life and improves the appearance after defrosting, that is, briefly immersing the vegetable in boiling water. This procedure helps to preserve as much as possible the original appearance and aroma of petiole and root celery.

Rules for freezing celery

The freezing procedure depends on what kind of celery is being prepared.

The vegetable has three varieties:

root is a massive round-shaped root crop;
petiole is grown for its juicy and fleshy stems;
leafy is valued for its frequently renewed lush green leaves, saturated with essential oils; it does not form a root vegetable and has thin stems.

The leaves of the petiole and root varieties are also edible.

Reference. It is better to blanch root and petiole celery, and put leaf celery in the freezer, chopped or in bunches.

Sheet

The leaves are cut from the stems, washed thoroughly and allowed to dry, spread in one layer on a towel. Then finely chop and place in a bag or container for freezing. After just a couple of hours in the freezer, the leaves will harden.

Reference. The stems can be frozen separately and used to make vegetable and meat broths.

There are several alternative ways:

Freezing chopped greens with added water in ice cube trays.
Instead of water, some housewives fill molds with celery leaves with vegetable oil.
The greens can be mixed with butter, placed on foil and frozen by rolling them into a tube. This preparation is not defrosted, but the required portion is cut off and added to various sauces or spread on bread.

Chereshkova

For freezing, juicy fresh stems are selected, rough veins and damage are removed. If necessary, dirt in the recesses at the base is scraped off with a knife or a stiff brush.

Blanch the chopped celery. To do this you need:

Bring water in a large saucepan to a boil.
Place vegetables in boiling water and leave for 2-3 minutes.
Remove celery with a slotted spoon and cool in cold water with ice. When properly blanched, the stems will retain their green color and crisp texture.

Dry the blanched vegetable. Spread in a single layer on a hard, flat surface such as a cutting board or tray and place in the freezer. After 12-24 hours, the pieces will harden, then they are poured into a container or bag for storage. This method will help save space in the chamber and avoid ice on the product.

Reference. Celery, even frozen, has a very strong aroma, so store it in an airtight container.

Root

The root vegetable is washed and the thick skin is removed. You can chop the vegetable in any convenient way: cut into circles, strips or cubes, grate on a coarse grater. Like petiole celery, it is advisable to blanch root celery to preserve the taste and benefits of the product.

Step-by-step instructions for freezing for the winter

Celery can be frozen for the winter in several ways, depending on which parts of the plant are frozen and how they are intended to be used.

Sliced stems

If you plan to consume frozen vegetables within several weeks, the freezing process is as follows:

Cut the prepared stems into pieces as for cooking.
Place vegetable pieces on paper towels and dry completely.
Place the dried celery into bags in a thin layer of approximately 500 g each and place in the freezer.
After a day, remove the frozen vegetables and transfer them to storage containers. You can leave them in the same bags, but pack them more tightly and seal them tightly.

For longer storage, celery must be blanched before freezing.:

Boil water in a large saucepan (about 8 liters per 1 kg of celery).
When the water boils, pour all the chopped celery into it at once.
Keep it in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Place all the celery at once into a saucepan of cold water. To do this quickly and conveniently, you can put pieces of vegetables in a cooking grid. You can also place the mesh with celery under running cold water after boiling water.
Also keep the stems in cold water for 3 minutes.
Drain and dry vegetables with paper towels. This must be done carefully.
Distribute vegetables into containers or bags. Make sure that there is some free space in the containers, as the product will increase in volume when frozen.
Place packaged vegetables in the freezer.

Leaves

Attention!

Cut the celery leaves from the stems, wash, dry, chop and pack in a container and freeze. When laying greens, you need to press them down, removing excess air.

You can freeze the leaves by filling them with water . For this:

The chopped greens are placed in ice trays and compacted.
Fill with water and place in the freezer.
The frozen green cubes are then removed from the mold, placed in bags and stored frozen.

Entirely

If you want the whole stems (with or without leaves) for consumption, you can freeze them by wrapping them in cling film or placing them in a container. You can also use foil. Frozen greens become brittle, so the container for freezing should be free and it is better to place them in the freezer separately from other products.

Useful properties of frozen celery

Celery prepared for the winter will diversify the menu during the cold season and enrich the diet with useful substances. The composition of the frozen product retains from 80 to 90% of the vitamins and up to 100% of the minerals contained in the fresh vegetable.

Celery is a superfood for weight loss. It contains fiber, which prevents the deposition of fat reserves. In 100 g - only 16 kcal (greens and stems) or 32 kcal (root).

Celery has beneficial effects on the body:

stimulates the gastrointestinal tract;
useful for diabetes;
regulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
increases performance;
stimulates mental activity, calms the nerves;
has an antiseptic and diuretic effect;
considered a natural aphrodisiac.

Vegetables can only be defrosted once - before cooking. Repeated freezing will negatively affect the quality of the product.

Alternatives

Vegetables can also be preserved in other ways:

In the home cellar, in wooden boxes. The stems are sprinkled with sand or sawdust. You can also pack them in plastic bags.
In the refrigerator, wrapped in cling film.
Dry in a drying cabinet and store in a cool, dry place.
Salt and preserve.

Advice

Celery greens can be preserved as a seasoning by chopping in a blender and pouring olive oil. If you add salt, you can store it in the refrigerator. Without salt, it is better to freeze the seasoning.

Celery is not only tasty, but also a medicinal product ; it calms the nervous system, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and is recommended for use in diabetes mellitus. If you follow the instructions, frozen celery can be added to any dish every day in winter and summer. This will diversify the menu and provide the body with the elements it needs.

Article on the topic

All ways to store celery.

How long can frozen celery be stored?

Shelf life depends on pre-treatment, cutting method and storage conditions:

The finer the cut, the faster the product will lose its quality. Celery frozen with whole cuttings will last up to 12 months; grated root vegetables are good for up to 6-7 months.
Blanched vegetables last longer than unblanched vegetables. For comparison: chopped stems without blanching - 2-3 months, blanched - 10-12 months.
An optimal temperature of -18ºС will help celery stay fresh throughout the year. In warmer conditions (about -10ºС) the period is reduced significantly.

Try to freeze foods at the same time - adding fresh “brethren” to the freezer increases the temperature and shortens the shelf life.

Lifehacks for freezing celery:

It is advisable that the freezer has a “No Frost” system, then you don’t have to be afraid that the celery will freeze.
If you make the freezer bags flat and place them vertically in the chamber, they will be easier to remove.
Not only the vegetative parts of the vegetable are frozen, but also the juice squeezed out of it, for example, in ice cube trays.
There is no need to defrost celery before adding it to hot dishes: just add it to simmering broth or stew.

Freezing petiole celery

We wash each petiole separately and cut into pieces of the required size. Next, place the celery pieces in boiling water, cook for 2-3 minutes, then place in a bowl with ice. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place celery on top and freeze as is. Then we take out the celery and pack it in bags that are hermetically sealed.

Blanched celery can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. If you preserve fresh celery in the same way, its shelf life is reduced to 2 months.