It ’s easy to stock up on okra during the summertime months when it ’s in time of year , but like all other produce , it has a special ledge life . This fruit , commonly refer to as a vegetable , is an excellent addition to many dishes , but keeping it invigorated is vital to prevent it from getting spoiled and mushy . We ’ll show you how to freeze okra plant properly , whether it is slice up , whole , or cooked .
prepare Abelmoschus esculentus is very easy , and there are many unlike manner to manipulate it . It stop gum , which acts as a thickener when you heat it , cook it idealistic for soups and stews . Choosing the correct preparation and memory method is essential to prevent it from becoming despicable .
Okra recipes , such as casseroles , gumbo , lady’s-finger pickles , and breaded okra , are only as tasty as the okra itself . Therefore , it ’s of the essence to find way to store it to keep its freshness and tasting . freeze is a great way to prolong the lifespan of okra , and it maintains it ’s caliber for up to a year .
Preparing and Freezing Okra
Many nutrient react well to freezing . you’re able to freeze out milk , potatoes , and you’re able to even freeze fresh mozzarella and other cheeses . The process is simple .
keep okra can take different forms . There is more than oneway to pickle Abelmoschus esculentus , can it , and even dry it , in addition to freeze .
There are several different ways to freeze gumbo , depending on whether it is sliced , whole , blanched , or cooked , and the first footstep is to select the unspoiled gumbo for freezing . We ’ll show you how to choose good for you and tasty okra and how to freeze it using a variety of techniques .
Choosing the Perfect Fresh Okra for Freezing
Okra pods have a mild and unique flavor that some people say is somewhat grassy . It has a crunchy texture if you cook it quickly , that becomes tender if you slow - cook it . It ’s essential to select advanced and healthy okra before you immobilize it to guarantee it handles the appendage .
Choose okra that is fast to the soupcon but not hard . Press the pods gently between your fingers to test them for the stark firmness . Pick okra that is promising immature and does not have any blemishes or dark-skinned spots .
Okra comes in different eccentric , including foresighted , short , and ridge varieties . Long and slender type are perfect for cooking whole in fritters or curry . Short and stout assortment puzzle out well for straightaway meals such as a hustle fry .
Ways to Freeze Fresh Okra for Soups
One of the best ways to freeze down tonic okra for adding to soup and lather , just as when youfreeze garlic cloves , is to cut off it into worthy part and freeze okra plant without blanching . This freeze method is quick and easy , and a convenient direction to store Hibiscus esculentus in quick - to - go freezer bags .
lave the okra pods and cut them into desirable pieces , or slit them lengthwise . Lay them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place them in the Deepfreeze to show off freeze them for one hour . Make certain the gumbo pieces do not overlap .
transplant the frozen okra to freezer bags and pressure as much atmosphere out of the udder as potential . Consider using a vacuum sealant if you have one . Label the containers before placing them back into the freezer .
Can cuke be frozenthe same way ? Yes , you could freeze cucumber just like you do gumbo , although slice up them first yields the good solvent . Try this method tofreeze raw Irish potato , too .
Blanching and Freezing Okra
To keep the flavor and texture of invigorated okra while it freezes , try out blanching it first . Doing this stops the enzymatic action and facilitate the gumbo retain its smart predilection for a retentive period .
Wash the okra plant with moth-eaten weewee , use a sharp tongue to cut off the caps and crest , and separate the small pods from the tumid pod . teem weewee in a large pot and bring it to a speedy boil .
tote up the Hibiscus esculentus to the stewing body of water and boil small pods for three minutes and large pods for four proceedings . Use a slotted spoon to move the okra from the hot weewee to a arena of ice water to break off the cooking process .
Remove the pod from the ice bath , pat them dry with paper towel , and lie them out for half an minute to air ironic . meet the freezer bags with the okra , label them with the date , and place them in the freezer .
How to Freeze Okra After It’s Cooked
If you cooked too much okra for your favorite lady’s-finger or other bag and have slice of okra leftover , do n’t worry , it ’s easy to freeze them for adding to future meal .
Allow the leftover okra to chill whole before freeze out them . Place the okra in Deepfreeze bags and press as much air out as possible before seal them .
If you have a lot of cooked okra , separate them into portion sizes before put in them . Label the memory bag with the contents and date and place them in the Deepfreeze .
Making Freeze Dried Okra
Freeze - drying is a great way to store okra long term and is well-situated to do . Season the frost - dried Abelmoschus esculentus to make a corking snack or add them to your favorite soup .
dampen the okra pods and slice them into thin rounds . lie the okra slice on a food dehydrator tray in a single stratum and coif the heat to 130 ° fluorine .
Dry the slices for about 24 - hour , making sure to train them every brace of hours until they are crispy . After they dry , put the okra into freezer container or bags , pronounce them with the escort and contents , and target them in the freezer .
Freeze Okra to Fry Later
Not only is fried okra a crunchy and hook side dish , but it ’s easy to make forrader of time to fry later . It only takes a few arcminute to prepare it for the Deepfreeze , and then it ’s ready to fry in hot oil whenever you desire .
Wash the okra seedpod and cut them into one-quarter - column inch slices . Place them into a large arena and pour equal amounts of flour and cornmeal over them . Use your hands to drag the rounds in the mixture to coat them equally .
Remove the coated pieces from the pipe bowl and come out them equally on a baking sheet . Pop them into the freezer to flash freeze them for a couple of hours before transferring them to freezer bags . Label and block the coated okra until you are ready to electrocute them .
How to Cook Okra for the Freezer
If you still have Hibiscus esculentus left after eating it all week and do not want them to go to waste , count bake the okra you have go out and popping them in the freezer for late enjoyment .
Place the gumbo pods in a cullender and clean them under bleed weewee . lay out them apart to dry out . reduce the okra into half - inch slice , and lay them in a single layer on a baking flat solid .
Set the cooking piece of paper in an oven preheated to 350 ° F for three to four minutes . Allow the okra to cool before putting them in a freezer bag in the deep freezer .
Preparing and Freezing Leftover Gumbo
Not only is it prosperous to suspend whole and shorten okra , but it ’s just as easy to freeze a wad of gumbo . Prepping is an excellent way to have a delicious meal after a busy day and is the perfect way to habituate all of that remnant okra before it go to waste .
Melt the butter in a bombastic stockpot over average - low heat and add the flour while whisking for three minutes . Add the Allium cepa , peppers , and cultivated celery and continue raise for three more transactions until the veggies break .
Add the sausage balloon and hack garlic , wangle for one more moment , and then stir in the cayenne , Capsicum annuum grossum , mustard , ail , and creole seasonings . Slowly pour out the line of descent into the pot and then add the chop volaille .
Bring the soup to a furuncle before reduce the heat to a simmer . tot up the okra , salt , pepper , and bay foliage and stir to combine all ingredient . Simmer the soup over low heat for ten minutes or until it thickens .
Allow the soup to chill before pouring part size into freezer - good container . Store the gumbo in the freezer for three to four months .
Fresh veg and yield from your garden or farmer ’s grocery are something to look forward to each year . However , they only last so long unless you learn how to store them to conserve their flavor .
immobilize okra is one of the best ways to ensure that you enjoy its tastiness all twelvemonth round , whether you determine to block them whole , sliced , raw , or cooked .
We trust you enjoy learn how to freeze okra plant using a variety of techniques , and we ’d love it if you ’d share our okra freeze out recipes and tip with your family and friend on Facebook and Pinterest .
