Spinach is a tender and delicate vegetable that can be prepared in minutes. You get plenty of fresh leaves during the season - for the pan and the freezer! In the cold there, the green leaves wait undamaged for cooking.

Cubed spinach is convenient for defrosting

Clean spinach leaves

In a large pile of spinach there are bound to be a few leaves that are no longer perfect. That is why the spinach has to be sorted by hand.

  • remove wilted and damaged leaves
  • also cut off thick stalks

Above all, the spinach must be washed thoroughly, preferably several times. This is the only way that the sand that is often hidden in it can be completely rinsed out.

Freeze raw or blanched?

For a long time, experts agreed that blanched spinach should only be frozen. But in the meantime there are also different voices that refer to the latest scientific findings. You have three options for freezing the green leaves:

  • Put the raw leaves in the chest
  • Blanch spinach
  • Freeze cooked spinach

Freeze raw spinach leaves

In particular, very young and tender leaves are predestined to be frozen using this method. However, they should be freshly picked and dried well after washing before they are placed in freezer bags. However, keep in mind that the green color will not be retained as beautifully as after blanching.

Blanch spinach

  1. Heat water in a large pot of water.
  2. Add spinach leaves once the water starts bubbling.
  3. After about two minutes, remove the leaves with a ladle and immediately place them in ice water.
  4. Drain the cooled leaves in a colander.
  5. You can also puree or finely chop the spinach before freezing.
  6. Place the spinach in freezer boxes or bags and seal them airtight.
  7. Freeze the spinach immediately, but label the containers first.

tips

Only blanch large quantities of spinach in batches, otherwise the boiling water will cool down and the cooking process will be interrupted.

Freeze cooked spinach

Spinach left over from eating can also be frozen without any problems if a few points are observed:

  • do not leave it at room temperature for an unnecessarily long time
  • best to chill in the fridge
  • then immediately place in a freezer container and freeze

durability

Frozen spinach leaves can be kept for a year. Prepared dishes with spinach should be used within three months.

Defrost and reheat

Defrost frozen spinach gently in the refrigerator at low temperatures, so heat-loving germs have no chance of spoiling it. Prepare thawed spinach as soon as possible.

Pureed spinach can be taken straight from the freezer into a saucepan and boiled with a little water. A few spices or cream make it a tasty side dish.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • sort spinach: check all leaves; discard wilted and damaged spinach leaves; remove hard stems
  • Washing: Spinach often contains sand or soil particles and should therefore be washed thoroughly several times
  • Possibilities: Freeze raw after drying; Freeze blanched spinach; put the finished food in the chest
  • Blanching: Blanch young spinach for about two minutes and immediately place in ice water, then drain well
  • Advantages: blanching kills germs, the leaves stay green and the vitamins and trace elements are preserved
  • Tip: Only blanch large quantities of spinach in batches so that the cooking water does not cool down in the meantime
  • Packing: Leave dried spinach whole, chop finely, or puree as needed; fill into freezer containers
  • To Freeze: Label the airtight containers immediately and place in the freezer
  • Cooked Spinach: Cooked leftovers with spinach can also be frozen.
  • Important: do not leave food at room temperature for long; chill in the fridge and freeze immediately
  • Shelf life: Spinach leaves can stay in the chest for 12 months, cooked food only three months
  • Defrosting: Defrost gently in the refrigerator so that no germs can spread. Consume thawed spinach as soon as possible
  • Defrosting: Pureed spinach can be boiled with a little water immediately without defrosting

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