How to freeze dill for the winter in the refrigerator: how to do it right and is it possible

The plant, first of all, is characterized by an attractive aroma that leaves no one indifferent. It is added to any dishes to which it gives a spicy note. In summer, fresh greens are available to every housewife, and in winter it can only be purchased on store shelves. Today it is very popular to harvest in advance. From this article, readers will learn how to freeze dill in the refrigerator for the winter without losing taste, aroma and beneficial qualities.

Pros of freezing

Storing in freezers is considered the best solution to enjoy greenery in winter.Many people think that this is not worth messing with, because companies that grow this plant all year round in greenhouses supply their products to stores. But they are deeply mistaken, because there are no vitamins in such dill, and only nitrates and fertilizers can be found in its composition. In addition, you have to pay far from a penny for a bunch of greens. Therefore, thrifty hostesses do the right thing by harvesting a fragrant plant in advance.

The benefits of frozen greens are as follows:

• flavor and color are the same as fresh;
• all useful trace elements and vitamins are preserved;
• essential oils do not lose their value.

Preparing dill greens for freezing

Before harvesting, it is recommended to wash the bunches of the plant. Cold water is collected in a bowl, into which greens are lowered.Soaked plants are left for a few minutes. Then they are transferred to a colander or sieve, washed 2-3 more times under running water. Next, the greens are dried. A towel is spread, twigs are laid out on it in one layer, which should lie down for about an hour

If you cut the dill immediately and put it in the freezer, then it will not look fresh. It will remain a frozen piece of ice.

Methods of freezing dill

Today, several ways are popular. Each has advantages in application:

• greens from bags and containers are suitable for adding flavor to dishes;
• cubes are good to add to soups and stews;
• frozen butter with a plant goes into sauces, boiled potatoes, on sandwiches.

Before you start storing greens in the freezer, it is important to know the following rules:

1. Only fresh, succulent plants with no signs of wilting or damage are selected.
2. Young dill with thin stems is suitable for harvesting. If you take greens with a peduncle, then in the end it will be with the smell of cumin.
3. Plants should be grown without the use of nitrates in ecologically clean areas.

Freezing whole twigs

The easiest way to save dill is to freeze whole plants. For this, good and strong stems are selected.

Sprigs are thoroughly washed and dried. After they are placed in bags, tightly wrapped and sent to the freezer.

Before use, take out the required amount. It is recommended to knock on the branches to chop them.

If whole plants are needed, they are thawed at room temperature for half an hour.

Freezing dill in containers

For this method, small plastic containers are used, previously thoroughly washed in warm water and dried. The greens are prepared, finely chopped, folded into containers that are hermetically sealed with a lid.

Some housewives use plastic bottles instead of containers. But they cannot be considered an equivalent replacement, because it is not easy to get the contents from such a container.

Sliced dill in serving bags

Plants are finely cut with or without stems, depending on dill preferences. Chopped greens are laid out in bags in small portions.

When the freezer is taken out of the freezer, it thaws quickly. If you repeatedly defrost and open the bag, the aroma will disappear.

It is recommended to prepare portion sizes that will be enough for 2-3 times.

Or use small packets for one application. Bags of dill are rolled up and placed in the freezer.

Freezing greens in foil

After the plants are prepared for harvesting, they are not cut, but wrapped whole in foil. It is necessary to prepare such portions so that there is enough dill for one dressing of the dish. Before use, the package is unfolded, the contents are thawed and cut. It is not worth freezing it repeatedly in this way.

In ice molds

You can freeze dill in the freezer with ice cubes without prior drying. The whole process looks like this:

1. A bunch of greens is taken, washed and cut immediately.
2. Decomposed into cells, compacted as much as possible.
3. The contents are poured with cold boiled water.
4. Forms with dill are placed in the freezer.

Cubes are frozen for 3-4 hours. The cells are then wrapped in bags to retain the flavor. Or they get it, pour it into dense plastic bags and put it back in the freezer. It is recommended to sign the frosts, otherwise it will be difficult to determine the fine contents of the ice cubes later.

In oil or in broth

To properly freeze dill with butter or broth, you need:

• chopped greens;
• mix with soft butter or broth;
• mix well;
• give the desired shape - sausage or briquette;
• remove the greens for 15 minutes;
• after hardening, put the dill into plastic bags and send it for further storage.

Freezing greens is the best solution to provide yourself and your family with a fresh and he althy fragrant plant for a long winter. To do this, several methods are used to preserve all the vitamins. Which one to choose, each housewife decides for herself.

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