How to freeze cauliflower at home: how much time to cook, how to defrost and how to cook, photo * Garden

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In the summer, shops and markets are filled with many different fruits and vegetables. In winter, the body needs no less useful vitamins, but it is already not easy to get them fresh, for this, experienced housewives freeze vegetables for the whole family. Cauliflower is one of the tasty and healthy products and is suitable for various dishes, even for the first feeding of babies.

Is it possible to freeze cauliflower for the winter in the freezer

Cauliflower, like other vegetables, can be frozen for a delicious winter stew or for any other recipe. It will take less time to cook, since the vegetables are already washed, dried and chopped, which simplifies the cooking process. It is very convenient when there is a vegetable freeze in the freezer, from which you can easily cook any dish. Other vegetables can be added to cauliflower and a mix can be made. And with proper preparation, it will not lose its appearance and retain all the beneficial properties.

What is the best way to freeze cauliflower: boiled or raw

First you need to understand why the product will be frozen. If this will be complementary foods for a small child, then it is worth boiling it first. In the case of other cooking methods, for example, stew or batter, you can do without boiling. For recipes where the vegetable is fried in an egg mixture, you can freeze it in large inflorescences, if in the future there will be soup, then divide it into small ones.

Did you know? In the world there is not only white cauliflower, but also yellow, green and even purple. It has natural inflorescences and is no less useful. In rare cases, sellers put them on the shelves, as many buyers are afraid to take them, thinking that it is painted.

Do you need to blanch and wash cauliflower to freeze

It is necessary to rinse the cauliflower before freezing, in order to get rid of insects and dirt. When buying in the market, you cannot know how many people took it with their hands and in which boxes it lay. After cleaning and washing the vegetable, it is advisable to lower it in boiling water for a couple of minutes with the addition of lemon juice and acid to preserve the color of taste.

How to freeze cauliflower

In order for the product to retain its original appearance and taste, follow several rules:

Take only juicy and fresh cabbage, without spots and other errors.
Wash and peel the vegetable thoroughly.
Disassemble into small inflorescences, having previously cut green leaves.
Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan and add salt (2 teaspoons of salt per 1 liter of water). And boil for 3 minutes.
Chill immediately in cold water (even with ice cubes) for 5 minutes and dry by transferring to a board, towel or other dry and clean surface.
Distribute the necessary volume portions and put them in special containers for freezing or bags, releasing air from the inside.
Put containers or bags in the freezer.
Thawed product is not recommended for re-freezing, as it has already succumbed to thermal effects..

Video: Freezing Cauliflower for the Winter

Quick freeze without blanching

You can freeze a vegetable without cooking, after soaking it in salted cold water for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and do the same steps as described above.

Important! If you have kidney problems, you should refrain from this product. It contains a large number of purines, which turn into uric acid and lead to the formation of crystalline deposits in the joints.

In bags or barrels

For better preservation of the product, it is necessary to release air in order to avoid excess ice in the freezer and inside the bag. Kegs are considered more practical, since most of them already have vacuum caps.

Boiling in salted water

For the first feeding of the baby or for adult children and even the whole family, you can pre-boil it in salted water. She's getting ready and soft which facilitates further cooking. For a uniform mashed baby, such a vegetable is more suitable.

In most cases, unboiled cabbage can darken, turn yellow or turn blue in the freezer. A pre-cooked vegetable will be cooked faster in a dish, so you need to throw it in the last turn to avoid digestion.

Shelf life of frozen cauliflower

Frozen foods are usually stored in the freezer longer than freshbut still have their expiration dates. It is advisable to try over the winter to cook the remaining foods in the freezer. Most housewives have even fewer stocks, since the volume of the freezer is not large and no matter how many vegetables are harvested, they are always scarce, especially when there are small children in the house.

Important! Frozen cauliflower is stored for 6 to 9 months.

How to Defrost Cauliflower

For feeding, the baby should be placed in a double boiler without preliminary defrosting and set the desired mode. It is very easy and simple in this way to make various mashed potatoes adding not only cabbage, but also other vegetables. You can also defrost in a microwave for 30 seconds in a special container for heating.

If you worry that in this way it will lose all the useful properties or you are against such stoves, can be left to thaw at room temperature, but it will take more time. Choose any method convenient for you based on the availability of free time.

What can be made from frozen cauliflower

A large number of recipes for delicious and simple dishes can be prepared from frozen cabbage. And for the child, and for the family as a whole. For example, vegetable stew, baby puree, any dish - you will lick your fingers! You can boil and give the child slices or rub into a gentle mashed potatoes, you can also add zucchini, broccoli or carrots there if the child does not have allergies to these vegetables.

Having made the egg mixture with flour, you will get a simple but at the same time tasty dish in batter. You can stew in a pan, bake in the oven, cook with cheese sauce, fry in breadcrumbs, make cutlets or casserole.