The pale winter shoot of chicory is a typical winter vegetable that provides us with vitamins and minerals. As a rule, fresh chicory keeps for a few days in the dark vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. If you would like to stock up, you can also freeze the chicory.
Chicory is blanched before freezing
Prepare chicory for cold sleep
In order for the winter vegetables to be stored in the freezer, you must first prepare them thoroughly.
Although the bitter substances in the vegetables have a positive effect on digestion, the particularly bitter stalk of the chicory should be removed. Therefore, use a sharp, pointed knife to cut out the bottom stem of the vegetable in a wedge shape. Then wash the chicory and blanch the individual leaves. The vegetables can also be cut in half and then blanched.
Correct blanching
Blanching vegetables has several advantages:
- Microorganisms that are harmful to humans and that may adhere to the vegetables are destroyed
- the green leaf pigment chlorophyll is preserved, green vegetables retain their strong colour
- Blanching protects against vitamin C loss
- blanched vegetables cook faster after defrosting
To reap the benefits, dip the prepared vegetables in boiling water for a few minutes. Then cool it briefly in ice water. Blanch chicory halves for about 4 to 5 minutes, individual leaves for a maximum of 1 to 2 minutes.
Freeze chicory in advance
As soon as the vegetables are prepared and blanched, you can store them in suitable freezer bags or freezer containers in the freezer. Chicory stays fresh here for about ten months. However, after defrosting, it loses its "bite" and becomes soft in consistency. Therefore, it should no longer be prepared as a salad. In a casserole or as an ingredient in a stir-fry, you can easily use the winter vegetables as a tasty addition.
You can freeze finished dishes, such as casseroles or stews with chicory, as usual in suitable containers and store them for months without losing their taste.
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:
- as a free PDF file to print out yourself