The chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) is one of the most popular edible mushrooms and, because of its characteristic appearance, is also popular with beginners who are looking for mushrooms. Between June and November, the fungus, also known in many regions as "custard mold", is often found in mossy mixed and deciduous forests. The versatile mushroom keeps fresh in the fridge for a few days, but can also be frozen well.

It is better not to freeze chanterelles raw

Make chanterelles last longer by freezing

The yellow spots in the moss already shine at the forest walker from afar: Chanterelles are often to be found along the path, in sunny and damp locations. The tasty mushrooms like to hide in the middle of the moss, so you have to look closely and sometimes carefully pull the moss aside with your hands. Don't pluck it out though, you'll destroy it! Since the yellow cones often gather in larger groups, a rich harvest is guaranteed. But what to do with all the mushrooms if you don't want to process and eat them immediately? Fortunately, there are many ways to preserve chanterelles, and freezing is probably the best. Fresh chanterelles, on the other hand, only keep for about three to four days - provided they are cleaned and stored in the refrigerator at below seven degrees Celsius.

Freeze chanterelles properly - Here's how

Before freezing, the first thing to do is to prepare the mushrooms properly. Like all mushrooms, chanterelles should never be washed, as they soak up water like a sponge. Instead, brush the mushrooms with a fine brush. A special mushroom brush is very good for this, while tricky areas can be cleaned well with a toothbrush. Then cut the mushrooms in half lengthways to check for maggots and remove them if necessary. Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces, depending on how you plan to use them later.

Freeze raw chanterelles

Unfortunately, raw frozen chanterelles tend to turn bitter after thawing. For this reason, you should freeze these mushrooms either cooked or at least blanched. This will take away the bitterness. And that's how it works:

  • Sort and clean the fresh chanterelles.
  • Important: These must be fresh and should not have been lying around at room temperature for a long time!
  • If you cannot use the collected or purchased mushrooms immediately, keep them in the refrigerator.
  • Cut the chanterelles into bite-sized pieces.
  • Bring water to a boil on the stove and lightly salt it.
  • Boil the chanterelles in salted water for a minute.
  • Then shock them with ice water
  • pat dry with a clean kitchen towel
  • and freeze them immediately.

Ice water is plain, cold tap water to which you have added a few ice cubes.

Freeze cooked chanterelles

It is best to freeze chanterelles that have already been cooked. You do not have to prepare an elaborate mushroom dish for this, it is sufficient to simply fry the fresh and cleaned mushrooms in a little butter. Whether you season the fried mushrooms is entirely up to the further use: if they are to be used for another dish, it is advisable to leave out the salt, pepper and herbs for the time being. Do not leave the freshly fried mushrooms outside the refrigerator for a long time to cool down, but cool them down in an ice-cold water bath (without direct contact with water) and freeze them immediately.

Great for freezing: chanterelles in cream sauce

This recipe is excellent for a quick meal with pasta, potatoes or bread dumplings and is wonderfully easy to prepare and freeze.

Ingredients needed:

  • 600 grams of fresh chanterelles
  • 2 onions
  • 40 grams of butter
  • 300 grams of sweet cream
  • 200 grams of crème fraîche
  • 125 ml chicken broth
  • salt, pepper and curry

Preparation:

Cut the cleaned mushrooms, leaving the small ones whole and only halving or thirds the larger ones. Fry the mushrooms in the butter with the diced onions. After about five minutes, deglaze with the broth and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Whisk together the cream and crème fraîche and fold in. Now don't let it boil anymore, but taste with the spices.

How long do frozen chanterelles keep?

It is best to freeze chanterelles or a chanterelle dish in portions, because for the sake of your health you should not risk further thawing, heating and refreezing. Sealable plastic cans or freezer bags are best for this purpose. Frozen chanterelles can be stored in a freezer at temperatures of at least minus 18 °C for about six months if they have not yet been prepared - but only a few weeks in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. Prepared dishes can also be stored in a freezer for a maximum of two to three months.

Thaw chanterelles properly

Do not thaw the chanterelles before using them again, but prepare them while they are still frozen in hot fat or a hot liquid. Thawed mushrooms often become mushy and lose a lot of flavor.

tips

Chanterelles can also be preserved very well by drying or preserving them (e.g. pickled in vinegar). Then, however, their other possible uses are rather limited: dried chanterelles are particularly suitable as mushroom or seasoning powder and pickled mushrooms are not for everyone.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

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