How to freeze fresh cucumbers for the winter at home and is it possible

Each of us loves to eat cucumbers in the summer, but what about in winter? Today we will analyze how to freeze fresh cucumbers for the winter, because this is the best way to preserve vitamins, nutrients contained in them, and other vegetables.

Which cucumbers can be frozen

Only high-quality vegetables are subject to freezing. They should be young, literally just from the garden, ripe. Be sure to select soft cucumbers. Vegetables must not be damaged or rotten or otherwise.

There is simply no exact list of cucumbers to be frozen. They need to be selected by their own trial and error, observations. The main thing to remember is that hybrids are definitely not suitable, as well as salad-type vegetables, since their flesh is soft.

Preparatory stage

After you collect fresh vegetables, they must be thoroughly washed and dried. If they are purchased, then leave them for one hour in water. You can dry it with a paper towel. It is desirable that drying lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.

Next, you need to cut off both ends of the cucumbers, and also check if they are bitter. Next, you should cut them, squeeze out the juice, in general, bring them to a state in which they will be frozen.

Freezing cucumbers

There are different freezing methods. We will discuss only some methods of freezing for the winter at home.

Whole

Of course, it is better not to freeze whole vegetables, because there will be difficulties with defrosting, and even with cutting. Most do not recommend this method, because the skin of the vegetable becomes lethargic, begins to rip off.

Recipe:

1. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed and, of course, dried.
2. Next, you need to cut the ends on both sides.
3. Be sure to peel off the skin.
4. Put the vegetables in a plastic bag or in a pre-prepared freezer bag.
5. Put the whole thing in the freezer.

Freeze slices

This freezing of cucumbers for the winter is used if you plan to add vegetables to salads, sandwiches or simply decorate dishes with them in winter. Also, cucumbers frozen in this way can be used for cosmetic procedures on the face.

Recipe:

1. Dried fresh cucumbers should be chopped into thin slices.
2. Next, let them dry from the juice that has come out (20-30 minutes).
3. Then lay them out in one layer, for example, on a board, tray or something like that.
4. Take some cling film and cover it all.
5. Next, move the vegetables to the freezer for one night, then move the mugs to a container and leave in the freezer.

Freeze Cubes

These are perfect for okroshka, Russian salad, vinaigrette or something like that. The recipe is quite simple:

1. Cut off the ends of each pre-washed and dried cucumber.
2. Chop the vegetables into cubes, then arrange them on a baking sheet.
3. Let them dry for about half an hour.
4. Now take cling film and cover the cubes with it, then move the cucumbers to the freezer.
5. The next day, move them to a container or bag.

How to freeze cucumber juice

It is frozen for cosmetic use, such as face masks, face wipes, lotions, and more.

Recipe:

1. As usual, wash the cucumbers and dry them. Next, they need to be grated.
2. Using gauze, you need to squeeze juice from the resulting mixture.
3. Next, pour it into special molds for ice.
4. Then you can put them in a bag and store them in the refrigerator.
5. To squeeze juice, you can use a juicer, blender or meat grinder. The main thing is to peel the peel before this.

Freezing pickles

Can pickles be frozen? It often happens that you pickle cucumbers, open pickled vegetables, but do not consume them. In this case, the best option would be to freeze pickles. Moreover, they will not lose their taste, smell, taste properties.

Recipe:

1. Dry the cucumber fruits thoroughly from moisture.
2. Chop lightly s alted vegetables into cubes.
3. Spread them out on a cutting board.
4. Cover with cling film.
5. Place in the freezer.
6. After 4 hours have passed, take out the frozen cucumbers and transfer to a vacuum bag.
7. Then put it back in the freezer.
8. Now you know if pickles can be frozen.

Storage

Storage of frozen cucumbers is possible for several months, from five to eight. Without freezing, the maximum shelf life is six months.

Defrosting

We learned how to freeze, now let's discuss the reverse process. If the freeze was in the form of cubes or circles, then they will defrost in the dishes where you add them.

If you do this before throwing them into the dish, you will get gruel, because they will lose their appearance.

When it comes to defrosting whole fruits, before using them, you should move the cucumbers from the freezer to the lower compartment. According to knowledgeable people, when you defrost vegetables, they will be slightly watery, but they will not lose their taste and smell. You will not notice the difference between fresh and frozen.

Conclusion

Now you know all the basic ways to freeze cucumbers ni zamu. This will help you enjoy the wonderful taste of fresh cucumbers in the cold season.

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