The chervil - compared to other kitchen herbs, it grows quickly. Yields accumulate throughout the summer and into the fall, and cannot be used all at once. It is therefore worth freezing the chervil.

The advantage over drying

In no time the chervil has reached a good size and can be harvested. Anyone who dries it will notice when using it later that the herb has lost a lot of its aroma. The essential oils evaporate during the drying process. It is therefore advisable to freeze the chervil to preserve it and use it throughout the winter.

The right timing and approach to harvesting

Like other herbs, chervil should generally be harvested before it starts flowering. Once the flowers have formed, the leaves lose flavor and become bitter as the chervil invests its energy in its flowers.

It is ideal to harvest the chervil in the morning or evening and never at midday in midsummer. To do this, cut off as many shoots at their lower end with scissors as you need.

And then: clean, cut, freeze

After cutting, mud and dirt are best removed from the chervil under running water. After that, the remaining water should be allowed to drip off. Now take a board and cut the chervil into small pieces with a sharp knife or a chopping knife.

Then the chopped chervil is packed in a freezer bag or a sealable can and stowed in the freezer. It has a long shelf life when frozen. Herbs do not lose their taste in contrast to protein-rich foods such as fish and meat.

What can you do with the chervil later?

It is best to use the chervil while it is still frozen. Only shortly before the food is served should it be added to the food, for example sprinkled over it. It is suitable for, among others:

  • Soups and stews (e.g. chervil soup)
  • dressings and remoulade
  • roasted lamb
  • fish dishes
  • scrambled eggs
  • omelettes
  • braised tomatoes

tips and tricks

The first harvest can be achieved at the earliest four weeks after sowing or planting if the chervil is growing in a suitable location.

KKF

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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Vegetable garden