Cilantro is a herbaceous plant that has another name - coriander. In cooking, it is used as a spice. The plant has many useful properties, so many are stored for future use. Storage of cilantro for the winter can be carried out in various ways. About them will be described in the article.
The benefits of cilantro and contraindications
In folk medicine, coriander seeds and its greens have been used for many centuries. Ancient recipes for the use of this seasoning have been found in eastern India. They allow you to cure a cold, relieve pain, relieve fever. Juice is rich in vitamins and minerals. Greens are used as a tonic.
Familiarization with the beneficial properties and contraindications provided the opportunity to confirm the effectiveness of medicinal components, which include green cilantro. These funds are used in the treatment of various ailments. Now tinctures, decoctions, lotions are used to eliminate fungal and microbial infections. The plant alleviates the condition with colds, heat, depression. It is useful to use fresh herbs, so it is added to different dishes. And in order to benefit in the winter, you must use proven storage methods.
Seed storage
If you follow simple rules, you will be able to keep cilantro seeds fresh for a long time. They need to be collected after final maturation, which usually happens at the end of August. Otherwise, they will have an unpleasant odor.
Collection must be done on a dry, sunny day. It is necessary to pluck umbrellas with seeds. Drying is carried out in a dry, ventilated place, where there is no sunlight. Umbrellas need to grind in hands. Pour the seeds into a container, such as a glass jar. But a canvas bag will do. Seeds should be stored in a cool dry place for no longer than 4 years.
How to prepare cilantro and coriander for the winter? Drying is considered a popular way. After this procedure, the cilantro aroma dissipates, therefore, for proper performance it is necessary to create suitable conditions. Plants cannot be dried in the sun, as this eliminates valuable properties.
Natural drying
This is a popular way to preserve plants for the cold period. In addition, in such greens, vitamins will remain in full. First, cilantro should be washed to clean it from the ground and blades of grass. Then spread out paper towels and spread the plant. Water is absorbed into the paper.
After drying the leaves, they should be cut finely, they will gradually dry out. The plant must be put in a container for storage. The container should be removed to the balcony or kitchen. It is important that the room is dry, without direct sunlight.
Oven drying
How to keep cilantro for the winter at home qualitatively? Consider one interesting option. This method is considered more expensive, but simple. Useful properties are preserved in the plant if the oven is properly heated. Cilantro should be washed, dried, cut. Preheat the oven to 40-45 degrees, at higher rates, useful properties will not be saved.
Sliced greens need to be spread on a baking sheet and sent to the oven for 4-5 hours. In the process, it is necessary to periodically remove it and check whether drying is carried out correctly. Cilantro should be green and crumble in hands. If everything is done correctly, the plant is poured into bags or a glass container.
It is possible to harvest greens not only for the winter, but also for the whole year, since it is successfully stored with suitable conditions. Dried spice is used as a seasoning to improve the taste of meat, fish, soups, pies, sauces. Cilantro is also used as a medicine. It helps prevent diabetes, moreover, it is an excellent tool for eyes and skin. There is a lot of vitamin K in greens, it has an antibacterial effect.
Freezing in a package
Effective storage of cilantro for the winter will be obtained by freezing. You can use the package for this, as it is fast and convenient. Greens should be washed, remove unnecessary branches, shake off water. Then the plant is laid out on a towel until it dries. Packages should be prepared. Suitable for cellophane, as well as special bags for freezing.
Sprigs can be stacked whole or cut. The second option is considered the most convenient. You need to close the package and send it to the freezer. It is important to control that other workpieces do not crush cilantro. Then it will turn out to preserve its useful properties.
Cilantro: harvesting for the winter, preservation, freezing in vegetable oil
The option of freezing cilantro in vegetable oil is very effective. Greens should be cut into 3 cm, put in a blender, pour vegetable oil in an amount of 80 ml per 50 g of the crushed plant.
Cilantro need to be mixed until a mashed mass is obtained. Ice molds are required in which the product is decomposed. It is only better to fill them incompletely, since the volume increases with freezing. Cubes can be put in a bag.
Butter freeze
Storage of cilantro for the winter is possible in butter. 100 g of product will require 1-3 tbsp. l greens. Cut the butter into slices and add to the seasoning. If desired, garlic, salt, pepper, lime zest are added. Mix the products until the butter has melted.
The finished mass must be transferred to a sheet of parchment, and then transferred to the refrigerator to activate the cooling process. When the oil has hardened, the product must be placed in the freezer, wrapped in an airtight bag. At any time, this seasoning can be used to improve the taste and aroma of the dish.
Pickling
What else is cilantro storage possible? In winter, the product can be salted. In this form, greens are stored for 10 months without loss of taste and vitamins. Cilantro need to wash and dry. You will need ordinary salt at the rate of 250 g per 1 kg of greens. Prepare jars in which salt and grass must be mixed.
Mash foods until juice forms, cover and place in refrigerator. After a day, cilantro settles, after which you can add a small amount of greenery. Thanks to this method, seasoning retains useful properties. It is worth paying attention to one important nuance: during cooking, you need to control the amount of salt added.
Preservation in the marinade
You can save greens in the marinade. The plant should be washed, dried, cut and placed in glass containers. Then you need to fill the workpiece with marinade and give it the opportunity to infuse. Add some vegetable oil.
To prepare the marinade you will need:
- water (0.3 l);
- 9% vinegar (1 tbsp. L.);
- salt (pinch).
Now you know what coriander is, and also have information on how to save cilantro for the winter. The best harvesting methods are compiled in this article. These are just some types of recipes for preserving greens. Each housewife can use others that have already become familiar. Keeping fresh cilantro at home will always allow you to have a delicious and fragrant seasoning at home. With it, any dishes are transformed.