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Once I first began making inexperienced smoothies, kale was the veggie I wasted probably the most. I can’t depend the variety of occasions I’d say: “I’ll use that tomorrow”— and that kale didn’t stand an opportunity.
Once I lastly realized learn how to freeze kale, it was a complete sport changer.
No extra smelly surprises and I at all times had leafy green vegetables able to go. Freezing kale is a type of easy, no-brainer kitchen hacks that saves cash, saves time, and makes wholesome consuming really feel far more doable.
Step-by-Step Information
Whether or not you’re grabbing a bag of kale from the grocery retailer, purchasing on the farmer’s market, or harvesting your individual, freezing kale is likely one of the best methods to chop down on prep time and at all times have greens prepared for smoothies, soups, and fast meals. Right here’s learn how to do it step-by-step:
Kale Freezing Ideas
- Select contemporary, vibrant leaves: Older or yellowing kale leaves don’t freeze as nicely and may have a stronger, extra bitter taste.
- Wash completely: Grime loves to cover in curly kale, so give it rinse earlier than freezing.
- Stop freezer burn: Be certain that the spinach is totally dry and moisture free earlier than freezing, take away as a lot air as attainable from the bag, and retailer it flat within the freezer for an hermetic seal.
- Flash freeze first: Unfold kale on a baking sheet for a number of hours earlier than bagging to stop sticking.
- Blanching: Blanching kale earlier than freezing may also help protect shade, texture, and vitamins, particularly in case you plan to make use of it in cooked dishes.
Does Freezing Kale Lose Its Vitamins?
Freezing kale preserves most of its vitamins, particularly in case you prep it correctly. A tiny quantity of water-soluble nutritional vitamins, like vitamin C, could lower barely, however general, frozen kale remains to be full of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
How you can Use Frozen Kale
When you’ve received your kale stashed within the freezer, meal prep turns into sooner and manner much less traumatic. Right here’s how I exploit frozen kale:
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Extra Freezer Guides
In the event you’re discovering this kale freezing information useful, you’re going to need to take a look at my different guides to avoid wasting time and cut back meals waste:
In the event you’ve realized learn how to freeze kale, I’d love to listen to the way it turned out within the remark field under. Your suggestions helps me and all of the readers on this neighborhood. And in case you’re concerned about extra kitchen guides (and unique content material), join my weekly recipe newsletter.
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Wash the kale completely to take away any filth or bugs.
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Strip the leaves from the thick stems and tear or chop into medium items.
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Drain nicely and pat the kale fully dry.
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Add the kale to freezer-safe luggage, portioning as desired.
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Take away as a lot air as attainable, seal, and lay the luggage flat within the freezer.
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Freeze for 1–2 hours, or till strong. When prepared to make use of, take away the quantity wanted and return the remaining to the freezer.
- Select contemporary leaves: Use vibrant, deep-green kale. Older or yellowing leaves don’t freeze as nicely.
- Flash freeze: Unfold kale on a baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours earlier than bagging to stop clumping.
- Blanching: Blanching kale earlier than freezing may also help protect shade and texture, particularly in case you plan to make use of it in cooked dishes. This step isn’t required for smoothies.
- Storage: Frozen kale retains nicely for as much as 6 months when saved hermetic.
- How you can use: Add frozen kale straight to smoothies, or toss into soups and sautés with out thawing.
Serving: 1 cup | Energy: 7 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 1 g | Fats: 0.3 g | Saturated Fats: 0.04 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.1 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.02 g | Sodium: 11 mg | Potassium: 73 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 0.2 g | Vitamin A: 2098 IU | Vitamin C: 20 mg | Calcium: 53 mg | Iron: 0.3 mg
Widespread Questions
One of the best ways to protect kale depends upon how you propose to make use of it. For brief-term storage, maintain unwashed leaves dry and chilly within the fridge. For longer storage, the freezer is the perfect place to maintain your kale. freezing kale works nicely, with blanching as an non-obligatory step to assist protect shade and texture in case you plan to cook dinner it later.
Frozen kale can style barely totally different than contemporary kale, primarily as a result of freezing softens the leaves. As soon as thawed or cooked, the feel is much less crisp and extra tender, which makes it higher fitted to smoothies, soups, stews, and sautéed dishes relatively than salads.
It’s greatest to freeze kale in parts. Unfold chopped leaves on a baking sheet to freeze individually earlier than transferring to luggage. This prevents clumping and makes it straightforward to seize simply the quantity you want.
Correctly frozen kale lasts as much as 6 months. For the perfect style and nutrient retention, attempt to use it inside this timeframe, maintaining it saved in hermetic, freezer-safe luggage.
