How to Freeze Cauliflower

Step-by-step preparation

Cooking time: 2 hr

1. STEP 1

   

   How to freeze cauliflower for the winter? To freeze, take the freshest cabbage. It should be free of dark spots and damage, and the leaves should fit snugly to the head of cabbage. If you are in doubt which of the seemingly identical heads of cabbage to choose, take the one that is heavier. It will be more juicy and tasty.

2. STEP 2

   

   Rinse the cabbage under running water and remove all leaves. Using a sharp knife, separate it into inflorescences, cutting them from the hard cabbage stems. For convenience, leave the inflorescences approximately the same size, depending on what dishes you will use it for. For puree soup or side dish you can make it larger, for casseroles and fillings - smaller.

3. STEP 3

   

   Small insects can hide in cabbage. To wash them, make a saline solution. In a deep container, dissolve salt in cold water at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water. Dip the inflorescences into the solution for 15-20 minutes. Insects, if present, will float to the surface.

4. STEP 4

   

   Then rinse the cauliflower thoroughly under running water and leave to drain in a colander.

5. STEP 5

   

   Pour water into a saucepan, place over high heat and bring to a boil. While the water is boiling, prepare a large container of ice water. You can put a few ice cubes in it to maintain the temperature.

6. STEP 6

   

   When the water boils, drop the cabbage florets into it and boil for 3 minutes.

7. STEP 7

   

   Then quickly remove and place in ice water for about 3 minutes. You can cool the cabbage in another way, for example, put it on ice or pour cold water over it. The main thing is to cool quickly. This heat treatment is called blanching, when vegetables are first dipped in boiling water and then in very cold water. This helps maintain the cauliflower's color, flavor, and crispness. If this is not done, the cabbage will darken when frozen and lose its taste.

8. STEP 8

   

   Place the cabbage florets on a dry cotton towel. Leave for 1-1.5 hours to drain all excess liquid.

9. STEP 9

   

   Place the cabbage in freezer bags or containers. Place in the freezer on the freezer rack and set to freeze or low. With a gradual decrease in temperature, ice may form inside the products, which will worsen their taste after defrosting. I set it to -23 degrees. And after a few hours I set a constant storage temperature of -19.

Comments on the recipe

Corason

05.08.2023

4.7

The question arose: “how to freeze cauliflower for the winter”? I decided to make a healthy preparation using this recipe. Cut a fork of cauliflower into florets. I soaked the cauliflower florets in a saline solution as described in the recipe. Then boiled for 3 minutes in boiling water. I quickly placed the inflorescences in ice water as recommended by the author. Then I dried the cabbage and put it in portions into bags. I put it in the freezer for storage. Cauliflower frozen according to this recipe will definitely be tasty, healthy, and crispy. I plan to fry it in flour and egg in the winter. We love roasted cauliflower. I recommend everyone to make a useful preparation. It's easy, simple and fast. Many thanks to the author!

Veronica

05.08.2023

4.7

Yesterday I froze a large head of cauliflower according to your recipe. Your recipe came in very handy. I used to freeze cauliflower without blanching. And, indeed, some of the cabbage slightly changed color and taste. Olga, I’m very glad that I saw your recipe. Thank you