Can I freeze (raw) Brussels Sprouts to mimic the effects of frost?
This year has been a very mild winter and all the Brussels Sprouts in the shops are quite bitter as they have not undergone any overnight frosts.
Can I mimic the effects of an overnight frost by leaving raw Brussels Sprouts in the freezer for some time? How long should I do this for?
I have access to both individual sprouts that have already been picked from their "tree" and also some "sprout trees" that are still intact but have just been sliced off above the ground.
All the answers that Google can find relate to freezing already-cooked Brussels Sprouts for later consumption, but I assume that once cooked it is too late to reduce the bitterness in this way - although I could be wrong about this.
Best Answer
I tried this recently. Washed & dried them and put them in a plastic bag in freezer for 30 mins only. It worked well for me - they were much tastier and a better texture.
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Can you freeze raw Brussels sprouts?
You can freeze either brussels sprouts that you grow yourself or that you happen to buy a large batch in the store. That said, it is especially worthwhile to freeze when you have homegrown or locally-raised fresh sprouts to preserve their freshness.Can I freeze fresh brussel sprouts without blanching?
If you don't blanch the Brussel sprouts, they won't retain their health benefits and nutrients. Furthermore, they won't stay firm and fresh. Instead, they will get mushy upon defrosting. Also, if you freeze Brussel sprouts without blanching, their shelf-life will decrease, and they will develop a foul odor.Can I blanch Brussels sprouts ahead of time?
If you need to cook the Brussels sprouts in advance you need to blanch them by boiling them until only just tender, then draining them and immediatley submerging them in a very large bowl (or sink) of ice water and leaving until cool.Can I frozen sprouts?
But can you freeze bean sprouts? Yes, bean sprouts can be frozen but you have to work the veggies a bit so the sprouts won't lose their crunchiness. When kept in the fridge, bean sprouts will only stay fresh for a week. But when kept in the freezer, bean sprouts will last for 10 months to a full year!The Biggest Mistake You're Making With Brussels Sprouts
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Answer 2
There is a difference between frosting and freezing. When you get frost outside, the temps just hit freezing or a little below. A hard freeze is when everything above ground gets frozen solid.
That's what your freezer does. If you want to mimic a frost, then put your veg in the back of the fridge where the cold air falls down from the freezer.
I don't think it's going to help so much though, because those frosts affect how the plant as a whole behaves biologically. It however can't hurt, and I'd like to find out your results.
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