The small heads of Brussels sprouts often enrich our dishes in winter. Outside of this period, they are neither harvested nor sold fresh. If you freeze these vegetables when they are available, you will notice that they can also taste delicious in summer.

Brussels sprouts are frozen blanched

The Fresh Season

From the freezer Brussels sprouts can enrich our dishes all year round. But when is its freshness season in this country? Because then is not only the ideal time to enjoy it fresh, but also to fill up the stock in the freezer.

September is the first month when fresh Brussels sprouts can be harvested in the garden. Those who cannot harvest it can now find it cheaply in the supermarket, usually portioned in nets. The supply does not stop until March.

Brussels sprouts need the frost

Brussels sprouts harvested early in the season can taste bitter. The reason for this undesirable taste component is the still abundant bitter substances. Only the frost takes away the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts and gives them a mild aroma.

If you want to prepare fresh Brussels sprouts, it is better to wait until after the first frost. The Brussels sprouts, however, make no difference between the natural cold outdoors and the artificial cold in the freezer. The brussels sprouts can go in bitter, as long as it is freshly picked. Thawed again, it surprises with a mild taste.

The four steps to the chest freezer

Brussels sprouts require some time and attention before they can be stored in the freezer. The preparatory work can be roughly divided into four steps:

  • Clean
  • blanch
  • shock freezing
  • Freeze

Clean Brussels sprouts

The Brussels sprouts must be thoroughly cleaned before freezing:

  • remove outer and wilted leaves
  • separate protruding stunk
  • wash thoroughly

tips

Make a cross on the stalk side of the Brussels sprouts now so that they cook more evenly later.

Blanch briefly

Place the Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water for about two minutes. The firmness of the bite is retained if the blanched sprouts are then immediately chilled with ice water.

After the Brussels sprouts have cooled, remove them from the ice water and place them on paper towels to dry.

Blast freezing whenever possible

Spread the dried Brussels sprouts out on a tray and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes where they can freeze. If your freezer has a quick freeze function, it should be used now.

Since the Brussels sprouts don't touch each other on the tray, they don't freeze to each other later and can be easily removed individually.

Freezing: the finishing touches

Finally, all that remains is to fill the frozen Brussels sprouts into suitable freezer containers, label them and place them back in the freezer.

durability and use

Frozen sprouts have a shelf life of 6 months. It can be added to boiling food or water straight from the freezer. Since it's already blanched, the cabbage only needs about 10 to 12 minutes to cook, depending on the size of the heads.

Conclusion for fast readers

  • Fresh season: Brussels sprouts are available fresh in winter. It pays to stock up on frozen foods
  • Frost: Icy temperatures take away the bitter substances from Brussels sprouts and make them milder
  • Alternative: The frost in the chest also results in a milder taste
  • Preparation: Remove outer and wilted leaves; separate stunk; wash thoroughly
  • Tip: Score the Brussels sprouts crosswise so that they cook more evenly later
  • Blanching: Place Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water for two minutes and then shock in ice water
  • Shock freezing: Shock freeze drained Brussels sprouts for 30 minutes, the sprouts must not touch; prevents sticking together
  • To freeze: Put Brussels sprouts in suitable containers, label them and place in the freezer
  • Shelf Life: Brussels sprouts have a shelf life of six months
  • Thawing: Place frozen sprouts directly into boiling liquid; Cooking time about 10 to 12 minutes

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

Category:

Vegetable garden