Can You Freeze Spinach?
Do you ever wonder if spinach can really be frozen?
If you think freezing spinach sounds crazy, then you should know that there are plenty of foods that can be frozen successfully.
z3yqnxm6V_E In this article I explain you how to freeze spinach.
Types of Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in nutrients. It is low in calories and contains no cholesterol. It is a good source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, iron, folate, calcium and fiber. How to Store Spinach Store spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Wash spinach leaves thoroughly before using. Remove any stems from the leaves. Spinach wilts quickly if exposed to air. Keep unwashed spinach tightly wrapped in plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper draw. Use within 3 days.
Can I Freeze Spinach?
Yes, you can freeze spinach. Just wash and dry the leaves well. Place washed spinach leaves into freezer containers. Cover with either aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Label and date the package. Refrigerate for up to 6 months. Thaw frozen spinach in the refrigerator overnight. Drain off liquid before serving.
How To Freeze Spinach
You can freeze spinach. Wash and dry the leaves well and place washed spinach leaves into freezer bags. Cover with either aluminum or plastic wrap. Label the bag and date it. Store in the freezer for up to six months. Thaw frozen leaves in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the bag and drain off any remaining liquid before using.
Step 1: Wash
Wash spinach thoroughly. Remove stems and cut leaves into bite-size pieces. Rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well. Step 2: Dry Answer: Spread leaves on paper towels to dry. Pat dry with additional paper towels. Step 3: Place in Freezer Bag Answer: Fold leaves into bundles and place in zipper-lock freezer bags. Seal bags and label. Store in the freezer. Step 4: Freeze Answer: Freeze spinach in batches. Do not thaw spinach before freezing. Step 5: Use Frozen Spinach Answer: Thaw spinach in the refrigerator overnight. Drain off any remaining liquid before serving.
Step 2: De-stem and Cut
Cut stems from spinach and discard. Slice leaves crosswise into thin strips. Step 3: Dry Answer: Lay spinach leaves on paper towels to drain. Step 4: Place in Freezer Bags Answer: Fold leaves in half lengthwise. Wrap each leaf around a plastic bag handle. Twist handles together to secure. Label bags and freeze. Step 5: Freeze Answer: Thaw frozen spinach in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl set in warm water. Drain spinach well before using.
Step 3: Blanch
Place spinach in a large saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Drain spinach in a colander. Rinse under cold running water until cool. Squeeze dry between layers of paper towels. Step 4: Steam Answer: Place spinach in a steamer basket over simmering water. Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer spinach to a serving dish. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Step 6: Chill Answer: Refrigerate spinach salad in a shallow container for up to 8 hours. Step 7: Dress Answer: Whisk dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add spinach salad and toss gently to coat. Serve chilled. ## # # ## ##
Step 4: Dry
Spread spinach leaves on wire rack set over baking sheet. Let stand until completely dry, about 2 hours. Store in airtight container. Step 5: Freeze
Step 6: Label and Freeze
Labeling and freezing is important because it helps you organize your meals and saves you from having to think about what you’re eating next week. It’s also helpful if you’re trying to eat healthier. Labeling and freezing your meals allows you to see how many calories you’ve consumed each day and gives you a good idea of how much you’ll need to eat to maintain your current weight.
How To Thaw Frozen Spinach
You can thaw frozen spinach in the refrigerator overnight. Simply place the bag into a bowl filled with cold water and let sit until thawed. Drain well before using.
How long does spinach last?
Fresh spinach lasts about 3 days if stored properly. It can be refrigerated in a plastic bag or wrapped in paper towels and placed in a sealed plastic bag.
How long does frozen spinach last?
Frozen spinach lasts about 2 months if stored properly. It should be thawed completely before using. Frozen spinach can be stored in a freezer bag or wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in a freezer bag.
How do you know if spinach has gone off?
You can tell if spinach has gone bad by looking at the color. Spinach that has turned greenish yellow is not safe to eat.
Do you need to blanch spinach before freezing?
Yes, you can freeze spinach. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that contains iron, calcium, vitamin A, B6, C, E, K, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and fiber. It is also rich in protein. Spinach is very nutritious and healthy for you. However, if you store spinach in the refrigerator, it loses nutrients quickly. To preserve the nutritional value of spinach, you can freeze it. Freezing spinach helps retain its nutrients and keeps it from spoiling.
How do you store spinach in the freezer?
Yes, but not if you want to retain its nutritional value. Spinach contains oxalic acid, which prevents the absorption of iron and calcium. Oxalic acid breaks down when frozen, making it safe to eat after thawing. However, freezing spinach removes nutrients such as vitamin A, C, E, K, folate, magnesium, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, and zinc.
How do you freeze spinach in ice cube trays?
Yes, you can freeze fresh uncooked spinach. Spinach is very perishable and needs to be cooked immediately after purchasing. It is not recommended to store frozen spinach because it loses nutrients and flavor. Frozen spinach is usually sold in bags and comes in different sizes. To freeze spinach, wash it thoroughly and remove any stems. Then place the washed spinach into freezer bags and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the spinach from the bag to a storage container. This way you can enjoy fresh spinach anytime you want.
Why do you need to blanch spinach?
Blanching spinach helps to remove any dirt or sand from the leaves. It also removes the bitterness from the spinach. Blanching spinach is done by immersing the spinach into boiling water for about 30 seconds. After blanching, the spinach needs to be drained and cooled down. This process prevents the spinach from getting soggy.
Can you freeze fresh uncooked spinach?
You can freeze spinach in ice cube tray by placing the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. Once frozen, you can transfer the spinach cubes from the freezer bag to a storage container. This way you can store the spinach cubes in the refrigerator for future use.
Can you freeze spinach straight from the bag?
Storing frozen spinach in the freezer is easy. Just place the bag into a resealable plastic bag and freeze it. To thaw, simply place the bag in the refrigerator overnight. This method works well if you are planning on using the spinach within a day or two. For longer storage times, you can place the bag into a ziploc bag and freeze it. Once frozen, remove the bag from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then transfer the bag back into the freezer until ready to use.
Can you freeze spinach so it doesn’t go bad?
Blanching spinach is not necessary before freezing. Spinach contains oxalic acid, which prevents the growth of microorganisms. Oxalic acid is destroyed during the blanching process. However, if you freeze spinach without blanching it, the oxalic acid will remain intact and prevent the growth of bacteria.