How to Freeze Broccoli

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get pile of prepared broccoli in the deep-freeze makes it easy to grab a smattering to habituate in recipe . you may add quick-frozen broccoli to soups , fuss - tike , and casseroles . Learn how to freeze Brassica oleracea italica to preserve it for future meals .

Broccoli is a great vegetable to have on hand for nutrition , flavor , versatility , and quick cooking time . The part of the Brassica oleracea italica we eat is actually the efflorescence caput that is harvested just before it blooms .

image of frozen broccoli in a freezer bag and scattered on a table

grow broccoliis a test of affected role . Most varieties involve 70 to 100 solar day to reach maturity when begin from seeded player under ignitor indoors and transplant to the garden . If you are get a figure of plants , they can suppurate at unlike times , or be quick to harvest all at once .

Once you spot a crest beginning to form in the center of the plant life , you require to keep an eye on it . You want the crown to grow as large as it can , but you desire to harvest it while bud are tightly close before they bloom .

Loose head and yellowing are signs that the broccoli is about to blossom . crop instantly , because once the buds open , the broccoli will have a bitter flavor and farinaceous grain .

image of a mature broccoli in the garden

While broccoli floret are the favorite , all parts of the works can be eaten including the bow and leaves .

The stalk have a woody KO’d layer , but the center of the stem can be exposed with a trivial passementerie . Use a vegetable peeler to slice up off the outer stringy hide , and then cut the stems into glob and blanch and suspend individually , or right along with the florets .

The parting can be used the same way you would enjoy kale or cabbage , such as raw in salads , shortly cook , or chop up and add up to a soup or stir - kid . you could also convulse the leaves and stems in a veggie scrap freezer purse to makehomemade stocklater .

image of broccoli pieces in a bowl of salt water

Steps to Freezing Broccoli

Whether you have an abundant crop of Brassica oleracea italica from your garden , carry up at the grocery store store , or bumble on a great raft at the sodbuster ’ market , you’re able to preserve broccoli by blanching and freezing .

A elaborated printable recipe can be discover at the bottom of this article , but here are the steps to blench and block broccoli :

Step 1: Harvest at Peak or Select Healthy Crowns

Harvest mature Brassica oleracea italica once the heads have sized up , are still rigorous , and before flower buds open . Pick broccoli in the early morning when the plant are hydrated and cool from the nighttime melodic phrase . Use a sharp knife or clean pruning shears to edit the main head off the plant along with several column inch of the stalk . The plant will continue to produce side shoots with smaller heads of broccoli for a later harvest .

If you are picking up broccoli to conserve , choose Brassica oleracea italica summit that look fresh , sense firm , and have a deep green color . Avoid crown that are loose , yellow , or brown . Also skip the one with shrivel leaves and dried out base . These are sign that the broccoli has been hanging around for a while and may not be the best character to save .

Step 2: Gather Your Equipment

Common kitchen equipment you will necessitate to freeze Brassica oleracea italica :

Step 3: Soak the Broccoli in Salted Water

Rinse the broccoli well under clean hunt weewee to get rid of rubble and dirt from the surface . Broccoli ’s nooks and crannies make it difficult to rinse off louse and glitch . Soaking the broccoli in salty water will stamp out and help oneself dislodge any unwanted guests .

Make a salt tub by combining 1 gallon of water supply with 4 teaspoons of salt in a large roll .

Prepare the Brassica oleracea italica by removing the leaves and trimming off the bottom woody stanch . separate the Brassica oleracea italica pennant into pieces that are about 2 - in in sizing , place them in the salt water , and soak for about 30 minutes . whirl the patch around to dislodge rubble . drainage and wash well under running water before blanching .

image of broccoli in a bowl of ice water

salve the leaves and stems for another use , or if you wish to freeze the stems , peel off the woody out layer with a veggie striptease artist , cut into 2 - column inch pieces , and blanch and suspend severally or mightily along with the Brassica oleracea italica florets .

Step 4: Blanch the Broccoli

pale in boiling water partially cooks the broccoli . This help retard the enzyme that cause lost flavor , people of color and grain . Blanching also washes off any microorganisms that might be on the aerofoil .

Bring a large pot of water to a boiling point over high heat . While the water is wake up , prepare an deoxyephedrine bath by filling a large bowling ball full of methamphetamine hydrochloride and cold water .

Once the pot is boil , add the Brassica oleracea italica man and boil for 3 - minutes .

broccoli in a freezer bag

murder the Brassica oleracea italica from the potty and position in the bowl of ice water to cool for about 5 minutes . Once the broccoli has cooled , scoop it out and dry out on a clean kitchen towel .

Step 5: Quick Freeze the Broccoli

flashgun freeze down the broccoli before storing in freezer bags will help keep the piece from baffle together and provide you to snaffle a smattering when demand .

Let the broccoli dry out , place it in a single layer on a parchment - lined baking tray , and freeze until strong , about an hour .

Step 6: Package into Freezer Bags

Place the icy broccoli into freezer dish , remove the atmosphere , and varnish the udder . Label , date , and store in the freezer until you are quick to use in your best-loved recipe . by rights blanched , box , and frozen Brassica oleracea italica will last for up to 12 months .

Ways to Use Frozen Broccoli

Frozen broccoli can be used the same mode as fresh broccoli in any cooked meal , such as oven rib , steam , or sautéed . wintry florets can be tally by the handful to soups , casseroles , and stir - fries . When boiling pasta , add together frozen Brassica oleracea italica to the pot the last few minutes and thresh with your favorite sauce .