Is it possible to freeze green onions for the winter? This question is asked by many housewives. Indeed, in the winter season it is quite difficult to find such a fragrant and natural product. Therefore, it is better to harvest it from the summer. About how to do it right, we will tell in the presented article.
Basic information
Before answering the question of whether it is possible to freeze green onions, it should be told what properties this product has.
It is no secret to anyone that onion feathers can protect the human body from various viral diseases and infections. This is possible due to the presence of volatile in it. That is why many experts during the period of active spread of influenza and acute respiratory infections recommend eating salad with green onions more often.
Also, the product in question contains chlorophyll, which plays a huge role in the process of hematopoiesis.
Structure
Can I freeze green feathers? Of course you can. Moreover, such processing does not affect the properties of the product. After defrosting, all the same vitamins remain in it as before freezing:
- B vitamins, which are extremely useful for NS and brain activity. In particular, vitamin B1 controls the acidity of the human body and helps to normalize cholesterol, and vitamin B5 improves the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
- Vitamin A is an active participant in redox processes. It is also necessary to stimulate the growth of new cells and metabolism.
- Vitamin C takes part in all processes taking place in the body.
- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has a beneficial effect on human reproductive function. Also, this element improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.
When to collect?
Can green onions be frozen and when is it better to do it? Surely everyone knows that such greens begin to ripen in the beds in mid-May. It is at this time of year that green onions have a special softness and juiciness. In young greenery there are a lot of useful substances that are essential for the human body.
Thus, it is better to collect onion feathers for its subsequent freezing in the spring, when the arrows have not reached their maximum height and have not become rigid.
How to collect?
Is it possible to freeze green onion in its entirety? Of course you can. To do this, it is torn directly from the root, and then the rough feathers located at the edges are carefully removed. Such a process will allow you to peel not only the stalk of greenery, but also its not yet strong rhizome.
If you did not have time to collect green onions in mid-May or early June, it is better to pluck it without a root, as it will already be massive. For the subsequent freezing of feathers, they should be carefully torn from the base or use scissors for this.
How to prepare?
Can green onions be frozen in the refrigerator? In order for such a product to retain all its useful qualities for a long time, it should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 5-9 days. Otherwise, it will simply go limp and deteriorate. Green onions can be placed for a long time only in the freezer.
So, how should this product be properly prepared for further freezing? Feathers must first be carefully inspected for the presence of worms and dirt. Next, the product must be immersed in cold water and left in this form for half an hour.
After the onion is soaked, it should be washed well. If it was picked together with the rhizome, then in the process of washing it is necessary to reveal its basal part, since it is in it that a large amount of dirt accumulates.
If you decide to use only feathers, then it is enough to rinse them, tearing off unnecessary tips.
As soon as the greens are processed, it should be dried a little. To do this, shake the onions well over the sink, and then spread them on a large towel. In this form, the product is kept for several hours, that is, until it loses all moisture.
How to freeze?
Can green onions be frozen in the freezer? It is possible, but only subject to all the necessary rules.
We described above how to properly prepare this product. However, after that you need to decide how you will freeze it. Some housewives prefer to harvest green onions for the winter as a whole, but there are also those who previously chop it. Let's consider both options in more detail.
Is it possible to freeze green onions in the freezer as a whole?
Freezing whole green onions takes less time than chopped ones. For this, the processed product is thoroughly wiped with a cloth, and then carefully laid out in special bags for freezing. At the same time, the packets are not completely filled. Green onions should not be crumpled. It is lined with a small layer in a bag, and then sent to the freezer.
After keeping the greens in the cold for about an hour, they take it out and lightly beat it in a pile right in the bag. After that, they are again sent to the freezer and kept in it until immediate use.
Is it possible to freeze chives in chopped form?
Most often, modern housewives freeze chopped green onions. After all, it is very convenient. It can simply be removed from the bag and seasoned with a dish. But how to make sure that the onion does not stick together during the freezing process, but is preserved in friable form? To do this, prepared greens should be thoroughly dried on a towel, and then chop on a cutting board. Then it must be placed in a large plastic bag, knocked into a thick layer and put in the freezer for half an hour. After the lapse of time, the onion should be shaken, laid again in a small layer and continue to freeze.
Such actions are preferably repeated about 4-5 times. Only in this case you will get crumbly frozen onions.
Reviews
Now you know if you can freeze green onions. How to do it right, we described above.
According to the reviews of the hostesses, it is possible to store such a product in the freezer for about a year. As a rule, it is used for cooking second and first courses. Chopped onions are simply removed from the bag and added to goulash or soup. If it was frozen in its entirety, then it is pre-cut.
Culinary experts also claim that such a product can be added to various salads. However, it should be noted that after defrosting it becomes limp and loses its beautiful appearance. Although the beneficial properties of such onions remain the same.