When is it hot? blanks for the winter in full swing, the housewives have to solve the acute question of the storage of white cabbage.
If the cabbage harvest is a success, then its long-term storage is an actual problem.
To preserve cabbage all winter, you can put it in the cellar, but if, for example, you don’t have it, and you have a large freezer, you can freeze cabbage.
Despite the fact that most housewives will be surprised and asked why it is necessary when the cabbage is beautifully stored and fresh, let's talk in detail about whether it is possible to freeze cabbage and how best to do it.
Is it possible?
Is it possible to freeze white cabbage? The question is logical, because the cabbage does not like the cold. From freezing cabbage loses crunchbeautiful appearance. She becomes lethargic and soft. That is why it is important to comply with the time of harvest.
Where you need crispy cabbage (salads, for example), you will have to get it from the basement or buy it on the market. For other dishes, for example, frozen cabbage is also suitable for soup.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you choose the freezing method of storing cabbage for the winter, you should understand its usefulness. It is worth noting that it is becoming an increasingly popular way of preserving vegetables along with drying.
Pluses freeze :
- cabbage retains all the beneficial properties;
- kept always at hand;
- stored as ready-made semi-finished product;
- long shelf life of cabbage;
- quickly defrosted, immediately ready for cooking.
Minuses:
- cabbage becomes soft, not suitable for salads;
- the view deteriorates, becomes unattractive;
- takes place in the freezer;
- does not crunch after defrosting.
As with any method, freezing cabbage for the winter has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of this method is the preservation of vegetables all useful properties. The main disadvantage is the loss of the original appearance.
You can learn about the pros and cons of freezing broccoli cabbage for the winter, and whether it is possible to freeze Brussels sprouts for the winter, from our materials.Freezing is one of the ways to store cabbage at home, and you can read about how to store cabbage in a cellar or basement on our website.
Rules for freezing cabbage for the winter
How to freeze white cabbage for the winter? Freezing is a simple process. Even the beginning hostess will cope with it. However, it has its own characteristics.
To store frozen cabbage need to prepare:
- choose good, whole, well-formed, strong heads;
- make sure there is no rotting, damage by insects and insects themselves;
If a caterpillar or a slug lurks among cabbage leaves, then most likely they will freeze along with the cabbage. During the subsequent defrosting and cooking dishes, insects can get into it. This is extremely unpleasant. It is necessary to carefully examine the cabbage before freezing.
- remove the upper leaves;
- rinse the cabbage in cool water;
- towel dry.
Some mistresses recommend blanching before freezing, this procedure (short-term heat treatment) will destroy harmful enzymes.
On the rules of freezing cauliflower at home, read on our website.
Ways
Depending on their further use, cabbage is frozen in several ways. How to freeze cabbage for the winter in the freezer?
Whole head
This method is ideal for further preparation. cabbage rolls.
If you cook them from such cabbage, there is no need to pre-boil and soften the sheets. After freezing, they will soft and immediately ready For filling.
To freeze whole cabbage, you need cut stalk, clean, wash, dry the cabbage. Wrapping prepared cabbage into food wrapput it in the freezer.
To defrost the cabbage just put in the fridge, it is thawed a bit and will be ready for use.
Leaves
So freeze cabbage, too, basically for making stuffed cabbage. The procedure is as follows:
- cabbage prepare: wash, remove the upper leaves;
- remove the stalk;
- boil a little;
- disassemble the leaves;
- put them in bags;
- to freeze.
Chopped
The most popular way to freeze. Such a cabbage can be used in cooking borscht, stewing. For freezing shredded cabbage, you must:
- prepare heads: wash, remove top sheets, dry;
- chop cabbage;
- decomposed into plastic bags;
- to freeze.
Chopped cabbage can be frozen not only separately, but also in combination with other vegetables. Thus, the result is excellent workpiece.
Place and container
What and where to freeze cabbage? For freezing perfect fit:
- freezer compartment of the refrigerator;
- separate chest freezer.
To put the cabbage there use:
- plastic bags;
- food wrap.
Shred cabbage or its leaves are frozen in bags. Whole heads of cabbage can be frozen as packaged or wrapped in cling film.
On how to freeze chopped cabbage in cling film and other vegetables for the winter, you will learn from the video:
Temperature and shelf life
Frozen cabbage can last up to 10 months. When frozen in freezers, cabbage falls into temperature is -18 ° C. At this temperature, it should be stored.
If the cabbage is removed and thawed, re-freeze it should not be exposed.
Thus, freezing is a good option for harvesting cabbage for the winter. It has a number of advantages:
- cabbage retains beneficial properties;
- always at hand;
- frozen as a whole and shredded;
- suitable for cooking many dishes;
- long stored;
- can be used in combination freezing with other vegetables.
Do I need to thaw cabbage before use? In most cases, no. For borsch, cabbage soup and other hot dishes, you can use it and not frozen. If there is such a need, it is enough to remove the bag of frozen cabbage from the freezer and leave it in the refrigerator for several hours.
Attention! Do not defrost the cabbage with hot or cold water, in the microwave and other thermal means. In this case, it will completely lose its qualities and properties.
Such a method as freezing is unlikely to be suitable for harvesting the whole cabbage harvest for the winter. However some part of the cabbage can be frozento provide this vegetable for the whole winter.
