Does Freezing Broccoli Dry it Out?
When I used to work for a grocer a senior employee told me that the broccoli suppliers tried not to freeze or pack the broccoli in too much ice to prevent it from freezing. He said that this was because freezing broccoli leads to it drying out after the ice melts away.
Is this an urban myth? Is there anything to this statement?
Best Answer
According to Cargo Handbook (emphasis added):
Broccoli is not sensitive to chilling temperatures and should be stored as cold as possible without freezing. When freezing injured, thawed buds will be very dark and translucent, and can later turn brown or may serve as sites for development of bacterial decay.
Note that they are describing how to store and ship broccoli which is intended to be consumed fresh.
To freeze broccoli for preservation, it is blanched first.
Pictures about "Does Freezing Broccoli Dry it Out?"
Does freezing broccoli ruin it?
Now that you have too much broccoli on hand, you're searching for ways to store it. Freezing is the first thing that comes to mind because it gives you an easy way out. The veggies won't spoil and you don't need to decide how or where to use them.How do you get moisture out of frozen broccoli?
If you are using frozen broccoli in a dish with other ingredients that aren't frozen, quickly steam the frozen broccoli or place the florets in a bowl and cover with hot water, let sit for a couple of minutes and then drain. Use paper towels to remove excess water from the broccoli.What happens if you freeze fresh broccoli?
Broccoli \u2014 florets and stems \u2014 must be blanched for effective freezing. If you freeze it raw, you'll wind up with bitter, drab green, shriveled stems. Blanching preserves the bright green color and tasty flavor. You can either blanch in boiling water for three minutes or steam for five minutes.Can you cut up fresh broccoli and freeze it?
Broccoli Freezing TipsWash stalks thoroughly and cut lengthwise into uniform pieces, leaving florets about 1-1/2 inches across. If you can help it, it's best to freeze your broccoli before it's fully cooked. Freezing cooked broccoli can result in a limp, flavorless side dish next time you pull it out of the freezer.How freezing and freeze drying affects myrosinase in broccoli sprouts | Jed Fahey
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