Yes, you can freeze kale freshly picked from the garden.
To make kale taste better, you need to blanch it.
But before you do that, make sure there is a bowl of ice water nearby.
Once the water starts boiling, put the kale in for 1 minute and then pull it out.
Then submerge the kale in the ice water to cool it off.
After that, let it dry or pat it with a paper towel and then freeze for up to 6 months.
Does freezing kale ruin it?
Yes, it will eventually, even though kale freezes very well.
And most vegetables do not freeze as well as kale does because they have enzymes that continue to age and rot the vegetable even if they are frozen.
Can you freeze a bag of fresh kale?
Yes, you can.
Raw kale can be frozen.
If you buy too much, then freeze it and use it later in recipes that call for kale.
Is frozen kale healthy?
Yes, frozen kale is as healthy as fresh kale.
Frozen kale has the same nutrients that fresh kale has, and sometimes even more.
This is because frozen food often contains more nutrients than the original product.
Frozen kale is also a good way to eat a vegetable all year round if you can’t find it locally or don’t want to spend too much money on it.
What can I do with an abundance of kale?
There are many things you can do with kale.
You could make kale chips, or put them in a salad.
Put it in soup, or even put it in a burger.
You can also use them for making smoothies, wraps, frittatas, and soup.
How long does kale last in the fridge?
Kale lasts in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days.
To keep it fresh, put kale in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Wash before eating.
How long should you blanch kale?
Blanching kale means cooking it for a few minutes.
Add salt to taste and put the kale in boiling water.
Leave it there for 3 minutes, then take the kale out and put it in cold water to stop the cooking.
Squeeze all of the extra water out of them, then chop them up really small. (source)
Why do you have to blanch kale before freezing?
You need to blanch kale before you freeze it.
If you want to store your frozen greens for a long time, they need to be blanched first.
Raw kale will only keep for a month or two before the texture, color, and flavor all start to change.
Can you eat raw frozen kale?
Yes, raw kale is better for you because it has more nutrients.
Cooked kale doesn’t have as many. It is best to eat raw, but you can also cook it. (source)
How do you freeze cooked kale?
First, put the greens on a sheet pan.
Then cover it with plastic wrap so that they don’t get ice crystals on them.
Finally, put it in the freezer for one to two hours until they are partially frozen. (source)
Can I freeze kale and spinach?
Yes, you can.
Freezing will keep the food fresh for a long time.
You can do it with bagged spinach or frozen kale.
How do you blanch kale for freezing?
First, pick the leaves that are most desirable.
Wash the kale.
Then cut it into desired size pieces.
Next, place it in boiling water and then cool it with ice water.
When cooled, remove from ice cube tray and pack tightly into a freezer bag.
Use a straw to remove as much air from the freezer bag as possible to keep food fresh longer in the freezer before use.
How do you store kale in a smoothie?
To store kale in a smoothie, you need to wash and dry the leaves.
Then pull them off of the stem. Place them in a freezer bag and seal them tight.
Put it in the freezer.
To get some for your green smoothie, take it out of the freezer and crush it up with a spoon.
Add to your other ingredients for your green smoothie!
How do you defrost kale quickly?
There are two ways to defrost frozen kale.
You can leave it out at room temperature or submerge it in cool water.
If you are adding the kale to a smoothie, soup, or dish that is being cooked, then you can add it straight from frozen without having to thaw it first.
Can raw kale be used in smoothies?
The answer is yes.
You can eat it raw but you do not need to cook it first.
The flavor is strong on its own, but the other ingredients make it less strong and make the taste almost imperceptible.
Pineapple is my secret to taming the flavor of raw kale and making it nearly imperceptible. (source)
Conclusion
In summary, you can freeze kale freshly picked from the garden.
When it comes to freezing kale, you need to blanch the leaves first.
But before that, make sure there is a bowl of ice water nearby so that when the boiling water starts pouring over your kale in a cooking pot or saute pan, you can quickly dunk it into the cold water for 1 minute and then pull it out again.
Let it air dry or pat with paper towels before placing on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper (so they don’t stick) and freeze for up to 6 months.