Leaf lettuce is a valuable crop that delights from spring to fall. It has a lot of folic acid, carotene, vitamin B6, so greens are not only tasty, but also healthy. It is advisable to use it fresh, adding to different dishes. How to prepare lettuce leaves for the winter is described in the article.
Benefits
Greeks appreciate plant foods. They eat salad every day, and in large quantities. In ancient Greece, greens were considered miraculous grass. She was known for the benefits of treating various diseases.
Now the plant is no less popular. On its basis, various decoctions are prepared that eliminate a runny nose and allergies. The presence of pectin allows scarring of a stomach ulcer. Inhalations from leaves are in demand. People who control their weight can consume such greens in any quantity and at any time, as this will not affect the waist.
The presence of lactucin gives a calming effect. Greens help with insomnia. It must be added to different dishes. It is preferable not to cut the leaves, but to tear them with your hands. It will turn out to preserve the taste and valuable components. I would like to get the benefit from this supplement not only in the summer, but also in the cold season. That is why many are interested in how to prepare lettuce leaves for the winter.
The choice
The main selection criterion is the freshness of the product. It is necessary to examine its appearance. The leaves should not fade, and the absence of mucus is important on the stems. On the packages the expiration date of greens is usually indicated, which should also be paid attention to.
Crispy leaves are considered the best for different salads, cocktails, smoothies. They are decorated with sandwiches, sandwiches, appetizers, vegetable casseroles, stews, pastes. Fresh slices of tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes along with lettuce look beautiful on the festive table.
It is advisable to consume fresh herbs. But harvesting lettuce leaves for the winter will allow you to save valuable components if you use proven methods. It is important to properly assemble and prepare them.
Collection
When harvesting in the garden, several rules should be considered:
- The salad must be plucked with the root, and then placed in a container in an upright position. A ventilated box is also suitable.
- Collection should be done in the early morning, after the dew has dried, when the sun is shining.
- We need fresh and strong leaves of medium size.
If you take these rules into account, you will be able to maintain quality greens, in which its valuable properties will be preserved. Each method is convenient and does not take much time.
Preparation
Before you learn how to prepare lettuce leaves for the winter, you should prepare them for this procedure:
- It is necessary to remove the roots, rinse all the leaves, as there may be a slug between them, which must be removed, since it harms the quality of the product.
- Pure salad should be dried on flannels and used as directed.
If the greens will not be consumed, it is necessary to create small stacks from it. Each should be wrapped in a wet waffle towel and put in a plastic bag. The packages must be placed in the refrigerator. Leaflets will remain fresh for 2-3 days. With a purchased product you need to do the same, only keep in mind that it could already be stored for some time at the seller. Only after preparation can you prepare lettuce leaves for the winter according to recipes
Freezing
Can I freeze lettuce for the winter? This procedure is feasible, in addition, all vitamins are stored with it. Clean and dry leaves should be laid out in plastic bags and placed in the freezer. You can use food foil and a plastic container.
The disadvantage of this method is that the leaves are very delicate in texture, so after defrosting the greens can turn into a mushy mass. But there are dishes in which the salad can be placed frozen. These are omelets, soups, vegetable stews. To cook them, greens before freezing need to be cut into strips and packaged in containers.
Drying
You can also prepare salad leaves for the winter in another way. Recipes allow you to save valuable vitamins, which are so necessary in the cold season. Like other greens, the leaves can be dried using special tools, or placed in fresh air, covered with gauze.
It is advisable to use young herbs, since after cooking it does not get bitter. The finished product is preferably stored in a tightly sealed glass container. Dried salad is used in different dishes. He has no special taste, but as a vitamin supplement, the product is indispensable. It is also used to prepare decoctions that help in treatment and cosmetology.
Pickling
You can pickle lettuce for the winter or pickle. Many housewives believe that this is the most delicious way. To do this, apply garlic, dill, parsley, vinegar. How to prepare lettuce leaves for the winter? To do this, prepare the marinade. It includes water, salt, sugar, citric acid and vegetable oil.
Leaflets must be put in a container. Each layer should be treated with hot marinade, sprinkled with chopped herbs and garlic. Peas of allspice and bay leaf will help strengthen the taste and aroma. This type of salad is cooked under oppression and sent to the refrigerator or cellar. It must be stored for a month.
For the long-term preservation of the salad, it is fried in sunflower oil with garlic. Then aromatic vinegar is added and the cans can be rolled up. This method is needed for long-term storage.
Thus, harvesting lettuce leaves for the winter can be performed by any of these methods. You can try each of them, and then choose the one you like. In this case, there will always be a useful addition to different dishes at home.