How to properly and for a long time store frozen onions, green feathers, chives and leeks? Is it possible to freeze onions for the winter in the freezer?

This article will look at various ways to store leeks.

Lately, leeks have become increasingly popular among gardeners. Why do people like him so much? Perhaps because its shelf life is superior to many other vegetables and the taste does not change in any way. Another advantage of this vegetable is its ease of storage, which cannot be said about many other crops. In this article we will look at the storage conditions for onions in winter.

How to store leeks in winter at home: methods

Before we start talking about storing this vegetable, you need to pay a little attention to such a process as harvesting onions from the beds. Why is it important? Because proper harvesting of a vegetable is the key to ensuring that it will be stored for as long as possible. You can read the basic cleaning secrets in this article.

You need to collect all the leeks from the garden before the onset of severe frost. Yes, indeed, if you wish, you can store this vegetable by covering it in the beds, but there are no guarantees that it will definitely survive such storage.
We dig up our vegetable and carefully shake off the soil from it, while doing this very carefully so as not to damage the plant.
During such manipulations, the soil should not end up between the feathers of the onion.
Next, we cut off the roots, but do not touch the bottom.
We remove all yellowed and diseased leaves and leave healthy ones on the plant.

This concludes the onion harvesting. Afterwards, you can begin storing and preparing vegetables for the winter.

You can store leeks in the following ways:

Fresh
Dried
Frozen
Salted
Pickled
In sand
In a refrigerator
In the cellar
On the balcony

As you can see, the choice is quite wide. Now, in more detail about the method of storing vegetables in sand and dried form:

In order to store vegetables in sand, you will need to get boxes, containers, in extreme cases you can use bags
You need to pour sand into the selected container. In this case, the sand should be slightly moistened
The sand layer should be approximately 5 cm
Now we insert the onion into the sand, you need to keep a small distance between the plants
We also sprinkle all the space that we have free between the onions with sand.
Then we send our vegetable to a cool, but always ventilated and dark place
You can store leeks in a greenhouse in the same way. To do this, you need to make a not very deep trench and place the onion in it, then sprinkle the vegetable with sand
In this case, you need to monitor the temperature in the greenhouse; it should not fall below +1°C

Storing onions in sand
You can store dried leeks as follows:

Wash the leeks and let the water drain
Next you need to chop the vegetable. You can cut the onion into circles, strips or any other pieces, but it is advisable that they be as small as possible
Transfer the vegetable to a baking sheet and distribute it evenly
Place the pan in the oven and dry the leeks for about 2 hours at a temperature no higher than 45°C
With this method of heat treatment, onions retain all their beneficial properties.
If you do not want to dry the vegetable for 2 hours, you can use the so-called quick methods. In this case, the onions are dried for literally half an hour, and the temperature is maintained within 150°C. It is important to note that this method is less useful
After drying the onions, transfer them to a glass container and cover with parchment paper. Do not cover the seasoning with a lid.

Dried leeks

Schnitt

How to freeze chives for the winter? Chives, known as chives, have a bright, rich flavor that is reminiscent of a mixture of regular onions and garlic . Very often, chives are used as a special seasoning for a wide variety of dishes.

If you are a lover of this plant and want to preserve it for the winter, then freezing is the best way to prepare it. In order to properly freeze chives, you must follow the instructions:

Rinse cut onion feathers with cold running water.
Trim off the roots and wilted leaves of the onion.
Dry the onion on a towel or sheet of paper. is completely dry before placing it in the freezer , since when the plant is frozen with residual water, the taste of the product is significantly reduced.
It is also important that the chives dry on their own in the air, since external mechanical impact on them (for example, wiping with a towel) can damage the delicate feathers and loss of aroma.
Chop the onion with a knife to the size usually used for cooking.
Place chopped onion in freezer bags.
Place the bags in the freezer.
Smooth out the slices in the bag in a horizontal layer (for uniform freezing), remove excess air, close or tie tightly.

Leeks - storage for the winter in the cellar

Most often, for storing leeks in the cellar, they choose the already familiar method with sand, however, experienced gardeners claim that instead of sand, you can also use ordinary soil from the bed on which the vegetable grew.

This onion should only be stored in a vertical position in this way, since leaving it in a horizontal position will result in a vegetable that is curved towards the top. It turns out this way because the leek grows and stretches upward.
Regarding what you can cover the vegetable with. As mentioned earlier, you can use regular soil, river or regular sand. Whatever you choose from this list, it should be slightly moistened. However, please note that excessive soil moisture will cause plant roots to rot.

Onions can also be stored in the cellar

About roots. They also need to be prepared. You can cut the roots by 1/3, 2/3, or not cut at all. The main thing you should not do is remove the roots completely, because in this case the onion will rot.
We also return the leaves to their normal appearance. You can leave them uncut, cut them by 1/3, 2/3. But keep in mind that completely unpruned leaves will turn yellow by at least half. You cannot cut them off completely, because they feed the false bulb.
It is also important to say that it is not necessary to place plants in soil or sand. You can place the onions upright in a container with a lattice bottom and place it on the selected soil.
When storing onions in this way, do not forget to maintain a certain temperature and humidity. Be sure to ventilate the room even in the cold season.

Preparing the refrigerator or freezer before freezing

If the housewife’s plans already include freezing vegetables for the winter, she needs to prepare the freezer a few days before starting work:

The freezer is turned off from electricity, emptied of food, and then washed well using detergents.
If a foreign odor is firmly established in the freezer, you can wash the shelves and walls of the freezer with water to which baking soda has been added (1 tablespoon of soda per liter of water) or table vinegar (100 ml of vinegar per liter of water).
The freezer is washed both inside and out, after which the household appliances are dried with the door open and turned off. The dry freezer is plugged in one day before freezing work begins. During this time, the freezer will again reach the desired temperature.

Important! If, after slicing, the onion smell has ingrained itself in the palms, wash them with warm water and any aromatic soap, then wipe the skin with a drop of lemon essential oil. In addition to the fact that this product will cleanse the skin of odor, the essential oil nourishes and moisturizes the nail plates.

It is worth remembering that the vegetable will lose some of its taste. Therefore, it cannot be consumed without heat treatment, for example, for preparing salads. But you can add it to soups, main courses and baked goods without any problems.

Calories:61 kcal

Proteins:0.17 g

Fat:0.08 g

Carbohydrates:14.63 g

Remove vegetables that have begun to rot and peel them. You can cut it in different ways depending on how you plan to use it. These can be half rings or cubes. Or you can cut it very finely.
Read also: Features of the cucumber variety “Khrustik f1” and recommendations for growing
Place in small containers or special freezer bags, as in the video recipe, and store.

Not only the pre-chopped onion, but also the entire head can be frozen. You can find out how to do this using the recommendations below.

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Number of servings: 4

Leeks - storing in the refrigerator for the winter

Another common option for storing this vegetable is storing it in the refrigerator:

During such storage, all processes in the vegetable slow down, so its rotting will not occur for about several weeks
To use this method, take the most beautiful and healthy vegetables
Wash the onion and then dry it
Take the bags and place about 5-7 stems in each
Place vegetables in the refrigerator
To extend the shelf life of vegetables, refrigerate them first.

Storing onions in the refrigerator

Next, pack the onions in bags and cling film. It is important that the plant can breathe, so make small holes in the bags or purchase special
Next, put the onions in the refrigerator.
Maintain a constant temperature in the device, which should not exceed +2°C
If it is difficult to create such conditions in your refrigerator, then place bags of vegetables on the shelf that is closer to the freezer
Storing this way will allow you to enjoy fresh onions for several months.
Remember, the lower the temperature, the longer the vegetable will have a shelf life.

How long can onions be stored frozen?

It is believed that onions can be stored well for 3 months. Then it begins to lose its aroma and taste, so you need to use it as quickly as possible. Plastic film will prevent the loss of aroma and prevent the vegetable from losing its structure. At a temperature in the freezer of about -20°C, you can store onions for more than a year, but the quality of the raw material will still deteriorate, albeit very slowly.

Is it possible and how to freeze leeks for the winter?

This method of storing vegetables is especially popular among housewives. The thing is that frozen vegetables are stored for quite a long time, and by defrosting them, we get an almost fresh product.

Unfortunately, not all vegetables can be stored in this way, however, leeks are not included in the list of the latter and are perfectly preserved in the freezer.
This method of preparing onions is very simple and does not require much effort. To begin, take the entire leek and rinse it thoroughly.
Next, dry the vegetable stems and begin chopping.
We cut the onion into rings, and their size can be adjusted at your discretion, focusing on what you will later use this product for.

Prepare onions for freezing

When all the leek is chopped, place it on a cutting board or baking sheet and freeze it a little in the freezer. We do not recommend immediately freezing vegetables in bags, because the rings will freeze together and this will complicate their use in the future.
When the pieces of stems are slightly frozen, we pack them in bags. It is advisable to freeze one portion of onions in one bag, so that later it will be convenient to use the vegetable and not spoil it with constant temperature changes.
After that, put the bags in the freezer.
It is best to maintain the temperature at -6°C.
With this storage method, the onions will be suitable for consumption for 6-12 months.

Green

How to freeze green onions for the winter? To properly freeze green onions, you must first prepare them:

It is necessary to separate the feathers from the roots, eliminating the yellowed and withered parts.
the onions well under running water and dry thoroughly to avoid lump formation when frozen. You can dry the onions on a newspaper, napkin or waffle towel.
After the green onions have dried, you need to chop them with a knife as you usually do with a fresh plant.
You need to remove the air from the bags in which the chopped onions are placed, then tie them tightly (or use ziplock bags) and place them in the freezer.

How to properly freeze green onions for the winter? You can freeze green onions either fresh or heat-treated . Frozen fried or blanched onions are suitable for preparing first and second courses.

Can you freeze green onions with butter? If you decide to fry greens, you should use animal fats, since vegetable oil does not freeze.

A good way to prepare green onions is to freeze them with butter . To do this you need:

Combine a little softened butter with finely chopped onion and mix carefully.
Place the mixture on the edge of the cling film/foil and roll into a sausage shape.
Seal the ends of the film/foil together.
Place the resulting bundle in the freezer and use as needed, cutting into small portions.

Learn how to freeze green onions for the winter using olive oil in this video:

You can also freeze onions in ice cube trays or silicone molds. To do this, the onion feathers must be crushed using a blender to a pulp consistency , pour the mixture into molds and place in the freezer. You can use this preparation by throwing “onion ice” cubes directly into the dish while cooking.

A method for freezing green onions for the winter in the freezer in this video:

For other ways to store green onions, read our article.

How long do leeks last?

The question of how long leeks can be stored is very relevant, because we all want to please ourselves and loved ones with fresh vegetables for as long as possible.

The shelf life of a vegetable directly depends on the method you choose for this process:

The easiest way to store leeks is frozen. To do this, cut the vegetable, put it in bags and put it in the freezer. In this form, onions are perfectly stored for a long time - about a year.
The vegetable can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3-5 months. However, it is important to follow all the rules of this process. Do not forget to initially prepare the vegetable correctly, and then monitor the stability of the temperature.
The balcony also makes it possible to store vegetables throughout the winter. In this case, the lowest temperature that leeks can withstand is -10°C. Be sure to check the plant periodically as it may dry out and become sick.

Storing onions can be done in different ways

You can also store onions in sand. With proper pre-treatment and maintaining all necessary conditions, leeks can be stored in this way for six months.
If you store the vegetable at room temperature, it will be suitable for consumption within several weeks.
Canned and pickled leeks will delight you throughout the year. Further, the taste of the preservation may change.

Briefly about growing leeks and spring onions

Perennial can be produced in several ways. Like many varieties of onions, it can be grown by sowing seeds in open ground and through seedlings. Seedlings are sown in a greenhouse in early January. If the goal is to get an early harvest, then growing batun is definitely worth doing through seedlings.

But if there is no rush in time or there are no conditions for growing seedlings, it is sown with seeds. Onion seeds should be sown in open ground as soon as the weather and soil structure make it possible to carry out planting work. If onions are planted by seeds, the maximum harvest will occur only after a couple of years.

Seed preparation and technology for planting perennial varieties

If you are planning a technology for growing perennial leeks in a greenhouse or greenhouse in the fall or winter (preparation for winter care), then it is worth considering that seed growth begins already at +2°C, but for the full development of seedlings a temperature of at least 22°C is needed and 10 hours of daylight. Taking into account the fact that seed is sown in mid-April, additional lighting may be required in the greenhouse. Planting nigella in the soil of a greenhouse is carried out in the same way as if you want to grow leek seedlings from seeds on a windowsill.

How to prepare leeks for the winter: recipes

If for some reason you do not want or cannot store leeks fresh, you can use delicious recipes for preparing them for the winter.

So, you can prepare the vegetable as follows:

Pickle
Marinate
Use with other preserving ingredients

The first recipe we'll talk about is salting onions:

The washed, dried vegetable must be chopped in any way convenient for you. However, the size of the pieces should not be large
Place the chopped onion in an enamel container and press lightly
Now salt the onion at the rate of 50 g of salt per 1 kg of vegetable
Season the pickles with various spices
We put the container under pressure and wait about 3 weeks
Next, put the finished product into jars, close with regular nylon lids and send to a cold place

Pickle the onions
We will pickle the leeks according to this recipe:

We will only use the white part of the vegetable.
Chop the onion in a convenient way
Bring water to a boil in a container, lightly salting it
Lower the product for 3 minutes. into boiling water
Now put the onions in jars and fill them with marinade

Prepare the marinade like this:

For 1 liter of water we take 50 g of salt, 100 g of granulated sugar and 80 ml of vinegar
After mixing all the ingredients in a container, turn it on the gas and bring the contents of the pan to a boil. We wait a couple of minutes. and turn off the gas
We fill our jars with onions with this liquid, and then screw them on with lids, wrap them warmly and leave them in this position for at least a day.

Here is another equally tasty and popular recipe for pickled leeks.

You will need the following products:

Vegetable stems – 2 pcs.
Ground red pepper – 1 tbsp.
Sesame – 1 tbsp. l.
Soy sauce – 2.5 tbsp.
Rice vinegar – 1.5 tbsp.
Olive oil – 3 tbsp.

We will marinate in the following products:

Water – 1 l
Salt – 3.5 tbsp.
Vinegar – 3.5 tbsp.

pickled onions
as follows:

We wash and dry the vegetables. Next, chop into fairly large pieces.
Transfer the leek to a deep container and add all the ingredients for marinating there.
Leave the onion for a couple of hours
Next, drain all the water and wait until it drains from the vegetable.
Now add all the other products indicated in the recipe to the pickled onions, mix everything and leave for 15-20 hours
This appetizer has a very strong taste, so it is best used as an addition to side dishes.

Leeks are a tasty and healthy vegetable. Due to the fact that it is stored for quite a long time, almost all housewives love it. In order to treat yourself to onions all winter, we recommend that you initially follow all the rules for storing them, and if you do not have such an opportunity, then store the vegetable dry or frozen.

How to properly defrost and use onions

Frozen leeks are great in stews, casseroles or slow cooker cooking, as well as in sauces or meat pies. All these dishes can be prepared without completely defrosting the onions. It is enough to get the required amount and put it in the dish you are preparing. You can also thaw the vegetable at room temperature or by placing the onion in hot water for a few seconds. But do this if the recipe requires you to completely defrost the product.

Freezing onions is one of the simplest operations for preparing them for the winter. Possessing a valuable range of nutritional and antioxidant properties and a distinctive taste, leeks have been part of the human diet for thousands of years.

Sources:

https://poferme.com/ogorod/ovoshhi/luk/osobennosti-zamorozki-poreya.html https://web-selo.ru/mozhno-li-zamorazhivat-luk-repchatyj-zelenyj-i-luk-porej-na -zimu.html https://fermer.blog/bok/ogorod/luk/vidy-luka/luk-porey/4051-zamorozka-luka-porej.html

Useful tips

How to make the cook’s job easier when freezing onions:

To avoid tears when preparing sliced onions for freezing, it is advisable to cool the vegetable for 30 minutes before slicing. Peeling begins from the neck of the onion, without cutting off the root, but leaving it entirely. The root system will keep the onion from breaking into slices when chopping by hand. Sulfur compounds in onions, which are released when cells are destroyed (cutting), are concentrated in the area of the bottom of the onion, at the roots.
You can also carry out all the work on chopping the caustic vegetable in the open air, so that the onion vapors overloaded with sulfur are neutralized by fresh air.
Some chefs claim that a lit candle placed next to an onion board, the flame of which absorbs sulfur fumes, helps them avoid tears. There is no need to throw away the bottoms of already cut onions. At the end of the work, the roots are cut off and the remaining pulp is used to prepare a flavorful dish.
Regardless of how the onions are frozen, they must be stored in an airtight container to prevent onion smell from appearing in the freezer. When packing cuttings into containers with lids, you should leave a couple of centimeters of free space. Layers of frozen vegetables in zip-up bags are placed in one or more thick plastic bags for long-term storage in the freezer. This technique will help avoid the appearance of a pervasive onion smell.

Any of the above methods is suitable for freezing onions. Freezing vegetables for future use will help an experienced housewife preserve the harvest and reduce cooking time, which is important for working women.

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Onion preparation

Stems of any thickness are suitable for freezing for the winter. They are cleaned of damaged and limp feathers, the cut at the base is renewed or the roots are removed.

The onions are washed well under running water. Particular attention is paid to the places between the leaves where dirt and sand collect. The plant is thoroughly dried before being sent to the freezer.

How to defrost onions correctly

This product is often used when preparing hot dishes. In this case, the onions are not defrosted, but immediately thrown into a saucepan or frying pan. But sometimes you just need defrosted greens.

Defrosting is carried out in several ways:

at room temperature;
in cold water;
in the refrigerator compartment;
in the microwave in defrost mode.

It is not recommended to use the latter method, since heat treatment (albeit mild) removes some of the beneficial properties of any vegetable.

The defrosted workpiece is used for preparing soups, omelettes, pie filling, cutlets, casseroles, etc. If the onion was frozen in the form of a puree, pureed in a blender, it will make an excellent spread for sandwiches.

Important! After freezing, leeks lose their crunchy texture and are therefore not suitable for salads.