Many prefer to harvest grass in the freezer. Below we will share recommendations on how to freeze basil for the winter in various ways, and you will be able to choose from them the most suitable.
How to freeze basil for the winter?
If you are wondering about whether it is possible to freeze fresh basil for the winter, then the answer is categorical - definitely yes. The main thing is to choose a suitable method that will save not only the taste and aroma of the leaves, but also their color. Among the most popular methods of harvesting basil is its freezing entirely. Before being placed in the freezer, the leaves are blanched in boiling water, quickly poured onto a sieve and immersed in ice water. Chilled leaves are carefully dried, distributed on a baking sheet, trying not to spread them lapping, and then sent to the freezer.
Thanks to the preliminary scalding, the basil keeps its color better and is not covered by brown stains during storage.
Basil can retain its color and without pre-blanching, if you freeze it in special packages. Packages for freezing products with a lock can be found in almost any supermarket. It is enough to place washed and dried leaves in them, squeeze out as much air as possible from the package and close the lock well.
How to freeze basil at home in the freezer?
Due to the fact that the oil does not harden in the freezer, the leaf preparation in it can be very useful for adding soups, sauces and pasta to the soup. If necessary, just select a little mixture with a spoon and return the container, after properly closing it, straight to the freezer.
Finely chop the leaves with a knife or blender, and then mix with olive oil and pour into a sealed jar or container.
How to freeze basil for winter?
For soups, sauces and ragout, ice cubes with basil leaves are excellent. The fresh basil is washed well enough, rolled into a tube and finely chopped. Strips of fresh greens are distributed into ice forms and filled with water or broth. After complete freezing, ice can be poured into a sealed bag and stored for as long as required.