Can You Freeze Kale?
Have you ever bought too much of it and found yourself wondering, can you freeze kale? It's a leafy green loved by many because of the nutritious punch it packs and the fact that it's a hardy vegetable that can endure harsh conditions. However, when it comes to saving it for future recipes, people often wonder if kale can be frozen.
The good news for those who appreciate its vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, is that kale is grown year-round. However, we often don't need the full amount purchased at our local grocery stores, but also don't want the rest to go to waste. So, can you freeze kale? Our article looks at the hows and whys of this question while also addressing some nifty tips and recipe ideas.
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Can Kale Be Frozen?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze kale successfully, regardless of the reason. Perhaps you are wondering why someone who could use their refrigerator would still ask the question, “Can you freeze kale?” Unfortunately, numerous leafy green vegetables go off rather quickly, even when refrigerated. Therefore, knowing that you can freeze kale can help you save money and reduce food wastage. The great news is that you can freeze kale in its many forms, too. Below, we'll look at the different ways freeze your favorite green and save it for future use.
Can You Freeze Fresh Kale?
Not all of us have green fingers to grow our own veggies, or even have a garden to do so, meaning we have to rely on our local supermarket for our fresh vegetable needs. However, living further away means daily shopping is not always an option, and bulk grocery purchases lead us to ask, "Can you freeze fresh kale?" Luckily, you can freeze it while it's still fresh so that any you don’t use immediately doesn’t go bad.
Can You Freeze Kale for Smoothies?
Smoothies are great for kids, busy gym types, executives or, in fact, any person whatsoever. No matter why you make and enjoy your smoothies, it’s fair to say that most of us want to keep our smoothies as icy as possible. If this sounds like you, you may well be asking, “Can you freeze kale for smoothies?”
The answer is yes, you can freeze kale, and it’s a super-versatile and hearty ingredient for smoothies! Correct preparation and freezing of kale will ensure it retains important nutrients that add a healthy kick when used in smoothies.
Can You Freeze Raw Kale?
To put it simply, yes, you can freeze kale in its raw form. In fact, raw kale can be frozen without any further processes like blanching. However, frozen raw kale is best consumed within four weeks.
Can You Freeze Cooked Kale?
Now that we've looked at the answers for fresh and raw versions, it’s time to find out whether or not you can freeze cooked kale. Cooking or blanching kale before freezing is an accepted and proven way to preserve it for up to six months. Blanching before freezing stops the ripening enzymes in kale leaves from working as they naturally would. It also helps the kale retain its color and ensure it tastes fresh without developing any bitterness. So, yes, you can freeze kale that has already been cooked.
How To Freeze Kale
Whether you freeze your kale raw or blanched, it must be cleaned. Kale's naturally frilly and curvy leaves are great dirt traps, so a good rinse with fresh, cool water is necessary to ensure that the garden doesn't make its way into your next soup or smoothie.
Also, bear in mind that the leaves and stems of kale cook at different rates, so you will need to separate them, chop them into the desired sizes and then ensure the kale pieces are thoroughly dried after the washing process before freezing. So, once you've finished the cleaning process, how can you freeze kale? Let's take a look at the necessary steps below.
How To Blanch Kale
We have already discovered that blanching means you can freeze kale while avoiding bitterness, maintaining its color and allowing it to freeze for up to six months without losing any of its healthy nutrients. The next thing to cover is how to do it! Follow these five simple steps to get the best out of your frozen kale:
1. Boil a large pot of water and at the same time, set aside a large bowl with ice water.
2. Cook the kale leaves in the boiling water for around two minutes or until they brighten in color.
3. Remove the leaves from the boiling water and plunge them into the bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process and preserve the color.
4. Drain the leaves and dry them thoroughly.
5. Pack into freezer bags according to the desired serving size for smoothies or as a healthy, nutrient-rich ingredient for your next soup, pasta dish or quiche.
Can You Freeze Kale Without Blanching It?
For those who have grown up freezing their own vegetables, blanching before freezing has always been the accepted go-to method. However, for those questioning whether you can freeze kale without blanching it, fear not: you can freeze kale easily and successfully without this process.
As you would when blanching kale, first clean the leaves with fresh, cool water. Then, dry them off as much as possible to prevent ice from forming, before removing the leaves from the stems. Finally, pack into freezer-safe bags according to your desired portions and freeze.
How Long Can You Freeze Kale For?
Frozen food is all about convenience, and by following the correct steps, your frozen kale will be ready whenever you need it, without any unwanted loss of nutrients or taste. Raw frozen kale should be consumed within four weeks, while blanched frozen kale is good for up to six months, after which the kale may start to lose quality and flavor.
Frozen Kale Recipes To Try
Not all of us are born chefs or completely comfortable when it comes to cooking. Seeking some help or inspiration to make the most out of everyday ingredients is not only useful, but it's also plenty of fun. Consider online cooking classes or cooking classes near you to learn new frozen kale (or other) recipes from qualified and renowned chefs with years of experience. The expert techniques you'll learn are bound to make you the star of the show at your next dinner party or family gathering.
What you might find as you begin to use your new-found skills with frozen kale, is that, although you can freeze kale, its texture will be affected during the thawing process. That's why frozen kale is best used as a nutritious ingredient in smoothies or cooked dishes such as stews, quiches, pasta and soups. However, when it comes to salads, such as a tasty and zesty lemon kale salad (made in five simple steps), or one of our favorite recipes — air fryer kale chips — it's best to use the freshest kale leaves you can find for best results.
How To Defrost Kale
Now that you're aware of the fact that you can freeze kale, what does the defrosting process look like? Simply place the frozen kale in your refrigerator overnight and you'll have defrosted kale ready to be used the next day. Remember to drain off any excess water that may come off the leaves, especially if you’re making muffins or pancakes whose batter consistency could be affected.
Alternatively, if you are in a hurry to whip up a meal or forgot to take out your frozen kale in time, simply place it in a bowl of cool water to speed up the defrosting process.
Is Frozen Kale Healthy?
Frozen foods, particularly ready-to-eat meals and convenience items, are not always that great when it comes to nutritional value, due in part to the added preservatives. With that in mind, it's only natural to wonder if frozen kale is as healthy as its fresh counterpart. No need to worry, though, as the freezing process helps kale retain its nutrients, just like all frozen veggies.
So, now that you're clued up, the next time you have a curious friend asking you, "Can you freeze kale?" you'll have the necessary knowledge to give an informed answer with many added tips and tricks. What’s more, next time you’re in the grocery store, you’ll be able to grab that large bag of kale without the worry or guilt that comes with wasting good food.
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