Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?

Thanks.

PLD wrote:
>
> Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?
>

I don't know how you freeze them for the best results, but I
tried some frozen herbs that I found in a local grocery store. I
occasionally make things that call for cilantro and don't want to
buy a whole bunch of it and have most of it go to waste. This
stiff comes in little frozen cubes. it is not quite as good as
frozen, but it is the next best thing..

PLD wrote:

> Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?
>

You can make pesto out of basil, and maybe a few other things and freeze
that. Fresh frozen green herbs tend to turn black in the freezer and are
not very attractive when thawed. Can't comment on the taste, as mostly,
I dry mine to preserve them. Just lay them on paper towels and wait a
few days.


Dawn

Dawn wrote:
> PLD wrote:
>
> > Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?
> >
>
> You can make pesto out of basil, and maybe a few other things and freeze
> that. Fresh frozen green herbs tend to turn black in the freezer and are
> not very attractive when thawed. Can't comment on the taste, as mostly,
> I dry mine to preserve them. Just lay them on paper towels and wait a
> few days.
>
>
> Dawn

They used to sell frozen chopped chives in little tubs in the freezer
section; haven't been able to find them for ages. They were SO handy.
I'd sprinkle them on lots of stuff, especially cottage cheese, and they
thawed in a couple seconds. Loved them.

N.

PLD wrote:
> Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?

Some herbs freeze better than others, and by different techniques...
which are you wanting to freeze?

Nancy2 wrote:
>
> They used to sell frozen chopped chives in little tubs in the freezer
> section; haven't been able to find them for ages. They were SO handy.
> I'd sprinkle them on lots of stuff, especially cottage cheese, and they
> thawed in a couple seconds.

Unless you grow your own why bother... chives are readily available
freeze dried... as are other herbs.

Sheldon wrote:
>
> Unless you grow your own why bother... chives are readily available
> freeze dried... as are other herbs.

I tried the frozen cilantro they sell in one of the local grocery
stores. I thought it sounded a little steep at $3.79 per packet,
but there are about 2 dozen little 1/2" cubes in there and I find
that 3-4 is enough for most of the recipes that I use, so it
beats having to run out and get a fresh bunch at $1.79 or more
and having most of it go to waste. In the summer I will use the
fresh stuff in my garden, but in the fall and winter I will stick
to the frozen stuff for most uses.

Sheldon wrote:
> Nancy2 wrote:
> >
> > They used to sell frozen chopped chives in little tubs in the freezer
> > section; haven't been able to find them for ages. They were SO handy.
> > I'd sprinkle them on lots of stuff, especially cottage cheese, and they
> > thawed in a couple seconds.
>
> Unless you grow your own why bother... chives are readily available
> freeze dried... as are other herbs.

Are you speaking of dried chives? They aren't the same to me. I can't
find frozen chopped chives at all any more. I'm thinking of growing my
own - one little pot of herbs, how hard could it be?

N.

"Sheldon" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> PLD wrote:
>> Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?
>
> Some herbs freeze better than others, and by different techniques...
> which are you wanting to freeze?
>

I have on-hand some rosemary and chives, and I can't use the rest within a
couple of weeks. Thanks for the reply.

--

> Can fresh herbs be frozen? If so, will they lose much quality?

Hello PDL:

I find that leafy herbs can be frozen and retain most of their
qualities. I use this method.

Blanch the herbs in boiling water for thirty seconds and then quench in
cold water. Pat dry with towels and mince them to your favorite size. In
a bowl, coat the minced herbs well with good olive oil.

I label a Ziplock bag with the name of the herb and fill it half-full of
compressed herbs. Squeeze all air from the bag and freeze.

I have kept thus treated herbs frozen for four months with excellent
results.

Enjoy your day.

Kit

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