Can you freeze arugula at home and how can you preserve it for the winter?

Arugula is easy to grow.Arugula is a healthy plant with a vibrant flavor. Its greens are used in cooking and folk medicine. The nutrients found in arugula provide the body with a whole host of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, arugula, preserved for the winter, is not only an excellent way to protect yourself and your family from colds but also a bitter, nutty spice for any dish. The plant combines three bright and rich flavors: pepper, mustard, and nut. This tart, spicy taste is due to the presence of mustard oil.

What are the benefits of arugula?

Before you begin harvesting the plant, it is worth studying the beneficial properties of the crop.

The plant contains:

1. Microelements:

• copper;
• phosphorus;
• manganese;
• selenium;
• zinc.

2. Macronutrients:

• calcium;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium.

3. Vitamin complex: A, C, E, K, group B.

During the Roman Empire, the plant was considered a natural aphrodisiac. Due to its significant content of the above-mentioned elements, the plant is considered a natural energy booster that increases productivity. The plant is also rich in iodine, which is important for residents of inland cities.

In addition, it is recommended to include the plant in food for:

• increasing hemoglobin levels;
• lowering cholesterol;
• improving digestion;
• fight against cancer;
• normalization of water-salt balance;
• strengthening the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Consumption of this beneficial herb is recommended for those with diabetes, kidney and urinary tract diseases, and breastfeeding women. Arugula is also low in calories and an essential ingredient in many diets.

Contraindications

It's also worth considering the potential harm of arugula. Due to its high phytoncides, the plant can cause allergic reactions. Furthermore, people with kidney or liver disease, gastritis, and pregnant women should exercise caution when consuming this herb.

Storage Features

Having examined the benefits and potential harms of consuming the plant, the question arises: can this incredibly healthy arugula be preserved for future use? Preserving the herb is essential. The main thing is to consider several aspects of harvesting and storing the plant:

• You should not buy a large number of green bunches at once;
• Freshly cut or purchased herbs should be used immediately or stored in compliance with all requirements for no more than 4 days so that they do not spoil;
• If you wrap the "tails" with cling film, you can increase the shelf life of fresh herbs by several days;
• store herbs on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator;
• Ideally, place the bunches inside plastic or glass containers. This will achieve the required temperature of 8-9 degrees;
• Storage containers should be tightly sealed with lids, as the grass quickly absorbs other odors.

Arugula shelf life

The shelf life of arugula depends primarily on the conditions it's stored in. Fresh arugula, stored in a plastic container on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, can be stored for up to 10 days. However, to preserve arugula for the winter, it's best to consider other storage methods, such as drying or freezing. This can extend the shelf life to up to one year.

Arugula: How to Preserve for the Winter – Methods

There are many ways to prepare this beneficial herb, each with its own advantages, features, and nuances. You can also choose several storage options at once. For example, you can preserve one bunch with salt, dry a second, and freeze a third.

Regardless of whether arugula is stored dried or frozen, the product should not be used for food after a year.

How to store fresh arugula

The easiest way to store fresh arugula is by placing freshly cut bunches in small vases filled with water. These preserves look impressive and allow you to keep the fresh green bunches fresh for up to 5 days. You can extend the shelf life of the herb by up to 10 days by storing them in the vases in the refrigerator.

To enjoy fresh and fragrant greens every time, it's best to grow them in pots on a windowsill. Any soil is suitable, and seeds are readily available in stores. Furthermore, the plant requires little care, other than providing additional light during the winter.

Long-term storage of arugula

To ensure herbs retain their beneficial properties over time, they need to be properly prepared. Freezing is the quickest and easiest option, while drying is a more time-consuming but reliable method. To keep herbs fresh for a long time, salt storage is a good starting point.

Interesting! Arugula was first cultivated as a crop about a hundred years ago. Before that, the highly beneficial leaves were harvested from the wild plant.

Storing arugula with salt

Using a simple pickling method, you can keep herbs fresh and flavorful for up to six months. To do this, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Select freshly picked, green, young leaves.
2. Rinse the greens under running water, placing them in a colander.
3. Dry on cotton towels.
4. Cut the arugula in a way convenient for later use.
5. Pack the herbs tightly into a glass jar, sprinkling with salt. Use 1 tablespoon of salt per 100 grams of product.
6. Tightly and securely screw the lid on the jar with the preparation and transfer it to the refrigerator, cool cellar or pantry.

This way the plant will retain the maximum amount of nutrients, but the taste of the grass will change slightly.

Drying

Many housewives consider drying the best way to preserve herbs. While dried herbs can't be added to salads, they are a great addition to meat or fish dishes. There are several ways to dry herbs, discussed below. However, it's important to transfer the herbs to a glass jar and seal the lid tightly at the end of the drying process. To prevent the dried arugula from spoiling, place a small cloth bag of salt inside the jar.

The natural way

To prepare arugula using the suggested method, you need to perform the following steps:

1. Wash, sort and dry the greens.
2. Chop the leaves.

Herbs tend to oxidize when in contact with metal. Therefore, it's best to chop the herbs by hand rather than using a knife or scissors.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the herbs evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Move the grass to a warm place, protected from direct sunlight.
5. Dry the arugula for six to seven days, turning it occasionally on a baking sheet.
6. Place the greens into jars.

Store the preparation for one year in a cool, dark place.

In the dryer

Using a special device for drying vegetables and fruits—an electric dehydrator—you can quickly and easily prepare arugula for the winter. Furthermore, the plant will retain most of its medicinal properties.

You can make a blank in the following way:

1. Prepare sorted, washed and dried leaves.
2. Place the herbs in the drying compartment.
3. Set the appropriate mode. Some models have a special program for drying herbs. The drying temperature should be set to 50 degrees Celsius. The drying process lasts 12 hours.
4. During the drying process, the volume of herbs will decrease by 12 times. Two kilograms of fresh herbs will yield only 162 grams of dried product.
5. Place the herbs in jars or cloth bags and store.

In the oven

Another simple way to dry herbs is in the oven. To do this:

1. Wash the leaves thoroughly, placing them in a sieve. Pat the herbs dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Tear by hand or cut into large leaves.
3. Preheat oven to 40 degrees Celsius. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Spread the herbs on a baking sheet in an even layer.
5. Dry the mixture and place it in containers for storing spices.

This method reduces the time required to prepare spices by half compared to using an electric dryer.

In its pure form

Quick drying is necessary if the greens will be used within 4-5 days. To do this, rinse the herbs thoroughly under running water, then tear them into small pieces and lay them on paper or cotton towels. After 30-40 minutes, when no water remains on the leaves, you can pack the green bunches into resealable bags. Store the prepared herbs in the refrigerator.

Preparing arugula in jars

Herbs preserved in jars fit even in the smallest kitchen. By distributing dried arugula in glass containers, it's easy to store them on the spice rack and use them as needed. Fresh herbs and salt in jars can be stored in the refrigerator.

Freezing

When choosing methods for preserving this healthy herb for the winter, consider freezing. The process itself takes minimal time, and the greens retain a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, properly defrosted arugula can be added to salads, entrees, and meat dishes.

To freeze greens, follow these steps:

1. Wash the grass thoroughly, being careful not to damage the leaves.
2. Dry the herbs on towels. If you don't dry them thoroughly, the resulting mixture will turn into a lump.
3. You can chop large leaves or leave them whole, if desired.
4. Place the herbs in individual bags, pressing them firmly to release any air. Plastic containers with airtight lids are also suitable.
5. Transfer the bags of herbs to the freezer. For convenience, prepare the herbs in small portions—one-time use only—as they cannot be re-frozen.

Frozen herbs can be stored for up to a year. They defrost very quickly. Simply remove them from the freezer, chop them quickly, and add them to the dish at the end of cooking.

Greens in oil

Every home cook will love this method of preserving greens in oil. The process itself involves only simple ingredients and takes little time. Moreover, the oil perfectly complements the flavor of arugula, enhancing its richness.

You only need to prepare small molds in advance, such as ice cube trays or plastic containers. You can use vegetable or butter for the fat. Olive oil is preferred, as it's the healthiest.

So, to make a tasty and healthy preparation, you need:

• rinse the grass under running water, dry and chop;
• Place finely chopped arugula into prepared containers, filling the container to a third of its volume with herbs;
• Pour oil over the greens. Don't fill the container to the brim. The oil will expand as it cools and fill the rest of the container.
• Freeze the arugula molds. Store for no more than one year.

Place the frozen cubes in bags or store them in molds. You can also scoop out the mixture and cut it into portions, then place it in bags.

This method makes it easy to prepare a herb mix, for example, a mixture of dill, parsley, and arugula. The resulting cubes can be used in salads, soups, or fish dishes.

How to store arugula in the refrigerator

Only fresh herbs can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4-5 days. This way, the leaves will remain green, fragrant, and nutritious. When storing, it's important to ensure that the bunches do not come into contact with air or other foods. Suitable storage containers include:

• airtight containers with lids and screw caps;
• Zip-lock bags. Pack them so that there is no air left inside;
• A small plastic bowl of water in which to place the green bunches. In this case, you need to generously spray the greens with water and place a plastic bag on top;
• wrap the plant in parchment, cling film, or foil.

Place containers or bags of herbs on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Ideally, buy only the amount of herbs you need for three days, and dry or freeze any excess.

How to store arugula in the freezer

The prepared frozen product is stored in the freezer, pre-packaged into bags or containers. The key to long-term storage is airtightness. This is necessary to prevent the herb from absorbing the unpleasant odors of raw fish or meat from the freezer compartment.

Before storing herbs, they must be thoroughly dried. Excess moisture can ruin their appearance, affect their texture and flavor, and reduce their shelf life.

Tips for storing arugula

To preserve healthy herbs for a long time, you need to consider several important tips:

1. Store dried herbs in a dry, dark place. Check the dried herbs periodically for pests.
2. Store fresh herbs in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days, following the recommendations above.
3. Store frozen greens in the freezer for no more than one year. Do not refreeze them, as they lose their nutritional value and may have a negative impact on your health. Therefore, prepare them in small batches, suitable for one dish.
4. For those who love fresh herbs all year round, we recommend growing a crop of arugula on your windowsill.

Following the proper harvesting procedures will not only allow you to enjoy delicious herbs and spices, but also maintain your health, saturate your body with vitamins, and give you energy throughout the year.