METHOD FOR FREEZING OKRA
Method for Freezing Okra
You could come home from the farmers’ market with a few more okra pods than you know what to do with. We also understand that you don’t want them to be wasted! You may freeze okra so you can use it in your favorite hot dishes or pickle your pods to enjoy a taste of summer all year long.
We’ve put together a simple, step-by-step instruction on freezing okra to assist you.
Before You Begin
Blanching and shocking the pods before freezing is the ideal method for freezing okra. That means to stop the cooking process, dip the okra pods in a kettle of boiling water for about 30 seconds and then submerge them in freezing water. This method of quickly heating veggies before freezing them, according to scientists at the University of Minnesota Extension, deactivates the enzymes responsible for the loss of nutrients, color, flavor, and texture.
Although we recommend preserving as many of the nutrients as possible, you can freeze the okra without blanching it. Though its vivid green color may fade a little, in my opinion, the frozen okra’s flavor and texture been blanched is similar to okra that hasn’t been blanched.
Method for Freezing Okra
What You’ll require:
- Big pot
- Big bowl
- Water
- Cubes of ice
- A slotted spoon or tongs
- Paper towels
- Paper parchment
- Baking sheets, sealed plastic containers, or freezer bags with a zipper
Read also:10 BENEFITS OF EATING OKRA REGULARLY
Step 1
Place the okra on a chopping board.
If desired, trim the okra pods into bite-sized pieces after giving them a good wash.
Step 2:
Place a saucepan on a hot plate next to an ice-filled bowl.
Over high heat, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. As you wait, get a big bowl of ice water ready.
Step 3:
Add the okra to a boiling pot of water.
Add the okra to the boiling water with care, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the pods turn brilliant green.
Step 4:
Place the okra in an ice-filled dish.
The pods should be swiftly moved to the ice water and let to cool for a few minutes using tongs or a slotted spoon. Take the pods out of the ice water and use paper towels to pat dry.
Step 5:
Arrange the okra on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Arrange the pods in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper (a silicone mat also works well). Make sure there is space between the pods, so when they freeze, they don’t stick together. After the pods are frozen, put the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour.
Read also:10 COMPANION PLANTS FOR OKRA
Step6:
Place frozen okra inside a plastic bag.
Take the baking sheet out of the freezer and transfer the frozen okra to airtight plastic containers or zip-top plastic freezer bags. For up to a year, store in the freezer.
More than most other vegetables, okra freezes well. It can be prepared in most of the same ways as fresh okra. It is wonderful when cooked with tomatoes or used to gumbo. It is also possible to sauté and grill it.
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