Meadowlark
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- Joined
- Feb 5, 2019
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When a family that loves fresh broccoli cancelled out on us for their Christmas visit, I was left with a surplus of broccoli. What to do?
No problem: Process it into freezer bags.
Step 1: Harvest it.
Ideally, this should happen before the yellow flowerets begin to show in the heads.
I had scheduled these 8 heads averaging about a pound each to be ready for the company just before Christmas.
Step 2: After cleaning, par boil (or steam) for 2-3 minutes
This step kills any bad stuff and drastically slows the loss of taste. I actually steam the broccoli rather than boil it as IMO it retains flavor better.
Step 3: Soak in ice cold water bath (two or three minutes)
This step stops the “cooking” from the par boil/steam almost instantly.
Step 4: Remove from cold bath, dry, and place on freezer trays for “flash freezing (2 to 3 hours)
I like to use parchment paper to place the pieces on for quick freezing.
This enables a quick freeze and ability to store the individual pieces without sticking together in one big mess.
Step 5 : Put in freezer bags and place in freezer.
No problem: Process it into freezer bags.
Step 1: Harvest it.
Ideally, this should happen before the yellow flowerets begin to show in the heads.
I had scheduled these 8 heads averaging about a pound each to be ready for the company just before Christmas.
Step 2: After cleaning, par boil (or steam) for 2-3 minutes
This step kills any bad stuff and drastically slows the loss of taste. I actually steam the broccoli rather than boil it as IMO it retains flavor better.
Step 3: Soak in ice cold water bath (two or three minutes)
This step stops the “cooking” from the par boil/steam almost instantly.
Step 4: Remove from cold bath, dry, and place on freezer trays for “flash freezing (2 to 3 hours)
I like to use parchment paper to place the pieces on for quick freezing.
This enables a quick freeze and ability to store the individual pieces without sticking together in one big mess.
Step 5 : Put in freezer bags and place in freezer.