2) Plunge small batches of kale into boiling water for 3 minutes, and immediately cool the kale in an ice … Kale was also traditionally preserved with salt and left to ferment. If you’re in the market for a pressure canner, HealthyCanning.com has a great article about dial gauge vs. weighted gauge canners as well as other good tips for home canning. Boil the kale until well-wilted. Kale is an incredibly easy vegetable to grow, it’s very nutritious, and produces tons of kale leaves on each plant. 5. The Dutch use canned kale to make boerenkool stamppot: cooked, chopped kale mixed into mashed potato. I absolutely love growing Kale, … Kale is a green leafy vegetable that is readily available in stores and easy to grow in your own veggie patch. Here’s the good news: you can freeze all of these green leafy vegetables the same way – no matter the type of green! So, of course, I opted for the path that gets the kale … How to Freeze Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard. It is best to have as little air in the container as possible to avoid freezer burn. This keeps them fresh and vibrant at the grocery store, … Until this spring, we never had the need to preserve garden greens in this household. Place the strainer and kale … Space the balls of kale, chard, etc., out evenly on a sheet pan, maintaining their shape but not allowing them to touch. Style theme by Restored 316, Some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. If you choose to can the stems, make sure to boil the stems for longer, prior to canning, since they are much tougher than the rest of the leaves. Flash Freeze kale by laying it out on a cookie sheet or dehydrator tray and placing it in the freezer to freeze. Favorite Recipes for Using Frozen Kale. The Spruce Cooking kale in a frying pan over medium-high to high heat with a bit of butter or oil is a quick and tasty way to serve it. For the easy step-by-step instructions, pop down to the end of this post. Drain and add to casseroles, pilafs, baked pasta dishes, etc., or tip canning liquid and all into soups or stews. Cover with fresh, boiling water, maintaining the 1 inch of headspace. Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil. The only difference will be how long to blanch them as some greens are thicker and more fibrous and some are very tender. If you try the paper bag method, roll the top … If you like frozen greens in the winter, just imagine how good it would taste if you had … You can simply wash, chop, dry, and store fresh kale in the freezer. How to Store Kale. Dry the kale using towels or a salad spinner—moisture left on the kale leaves can lead to freezer burn. They’re dependable and super easy to grow, even if you are a beginner. Lift the strainer insert (with the kale inside) out of the salad spinner and empty the water out of the bowl. Add copious amounts of kale to your favorite soup or stew, and then can or freeze the finished product. How to Freeze Kale and Other Leafy Greens After you’ve blanched and cooled the greens in the ice water and drained them, give them a thorough squeeze to get as much water out of them as … In this post, I’ll teach you how to preserve kale. I receive a small commission when a product is purchased through these links, at, National Center for Home Food Preservation guidelines for pressure canning kale, How to Blanche and Freeze Fresh Green Beans, The BEST Fire-Roasted Jalapeño Fermented Hot Sauce Recipe, 7 Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs to Eat and Enjoy all Winter Long. We typically consume store-bought greens immediately or end up composting the green slime they turn into. It’s ready to heat and serve! Cut or tear … Copyright © 2019 My Down to Earth Life | Launi Johnson. Kale does not have the acidity levels required to safely can in a water bath. But it can also make you look like a cow gnawing on a big piece of kale. Fermented kale is not for everyone, but if you’re a fermented foods enthusiast (as I am), you may want to try out some of the recipes below. When the kale begins to pop up above the dirt and I start harvesting the dark leafy greens, I will (no doubt) need to find a way to preserve some of the kale for later. Once the kale is tender, but still bright green, drain excess water from the kale in a colander in the sink (discard the boiling water down the drain). Weird. Cut into bite sized pieces. It is also one of the simplest ways to put up a vegetable for the winter. This spinner is a wonderful gadget that can take excess water out of greens or whatever. Keep these leaves plain. I’m Launi and I’m gardening on a small urban lot in the Pacific NW. If you cut kale leaves as needed (called cut-and-come-again) new leaves will grow from the center of the plant. This method allows you to remove as much or as little as you want for each recipe and is a great option for smoothies. Wilt: Stir food in a small amount of water or oil for a short time to soften it. It’s true – you can freeze kale raw! Kale is an annual plant which grows well in most climates however it does prefer cooler conditions. Kale and other hearty bunched greens, however, usually sit on an open market shelf where they are misted with water throughout the day. Cleaning and Blanching the Kale Gather your supplies. It stops the ripening process and keeps the kale from growing bitter. Canned kale is good for soups, stews, and casserole-type dishes, where the kale will be thoroughly heated and cooked. Here’s how: Wash the kale well. Trying kale in the food dehydrator. (Here’s a blog post where I share how to make a massaged kale salad.) Freezing greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard is a great way to preserve them before they go bad. This might be true if you plan to use the kale within a few weeks. How to Blanch Kale and Other Leafy Greens Whichever kind of leafy green you want to freeze, the process is the same. When the water boils, toss in the kale leaves and cook until they brighten in color, 1 to 2 minutes. If you're working with a larger batch of kale, place the kale … 1. If you’re wondering how to prepare a kale salad the trick is to massage the leaves with olive oil so that they’re easier to chew and digest, for more on that try my Raw Kale Salad recipe.. Kale can easily be frozen by blanching the greens in boiling water for three minutes. Frozen kale can be used in soups, casseroles, and in smoothies. Blanch stems for 3 … You can store fresh kale that hasn’t been cut by wrapping the leaves in a … For frozen kale that lasts eight to 12 months, blanch leaves and stems. Doing this rather then dumping them all in a bag will ensure that they stay separate and don't form into one big lump. Tip #1 – If you want to store enough kale for one smoothie in a snack or sandwich-sized bag to make morning smoothie making easier, you can then store those smaller bags into one larger zip top to help preserve them in the freezer, then just pull out a … Pack the kale into a resealable plastic bag for easy access, but do not seal the bag yet. If freezer space is a problem for you, then canning is also an option for preserving kale. Select young, tender greens with good color and no blemishes. There are several methods for freezing kale and some people will say it’s not necessary to blanch the kale first. Clean the kale and remove the tough stems. Blanch until the leaves turn bright green, about 2 minutes. Image Credit: Jules:stonesoup w/CC License Kale chips are all the rage now. Recently, I bought kale at the grocery store and tried out some kale preserving techniques. Pack the hot kale loosely into jars, leaving about 1 inch of headspace. Raw kale salads are super healthy, of course. Moisten the paper towels and squeeze out any excess moisture… Kale needs to be babied, coddled even. Keep the kale refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, but don't let it freeze, to ensure the best texture and flavor qualities when you later cook and serve it. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add Kale … Add kale to boiling water. Here are some tips and recipes for preserving kale. Freezing is probably the best method for preserving kale. Start with fresh Kale…rinse well to get the sand out and spin dry. Blanch Leafy Greens in Boiling Water. Canning is a perfect way to store kale. The key to keeping kale crisp is making sure that you provide enough moisture around the kale to keep it from drying out. What do you do when you have an overabundance of greens in the garden? Some kale chip connoisseurs swear by storing chips in a paper bag at room temperature. Not only because they are so tasty and healthy, but because they are so easy to make. How to Freeze Kale Into 1/2 Cup and 1 Cup Portions 1) De-stem kale and tear it into small pieces. 2. Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil. I love kale smoothies, they are a great way to eat veggies for breakfast! But combine kale with a little olive oil and a hot pan, and magic happens. Pour the juice into ice cube trays and freeze. But there are still a few ways to do so if you desire! Please share with us in the comments below! It's also a great method when you want to cook a variety of greens; Cook delicate greens like spinach a little less than kale or chard. Do you have any tips for preserving kale? Freezing locks in the nutrients, and, unlike other greens like spinach, kale is sturdy enough to retain a lot of its texture during the freezing process. Shake the leaves thoroughly to remove the … I used to steam it first, but after a tip from a friend, I started freezing it raw. The Best Fermented Kale Recipe from Figaro Shakes, Garlic Kale Sauerkraut from Balance in Motion, Fermented Kale Tips and a Recipe for Kale Kimchi by Kirsten K. Shockey. Wash the freshly harvested greens … All-American 21 1/2 quart pressure canner, Fermented Kale Tips and a Recipe for Kale Kimchi, Chicken BLT Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing. How to Freeze Kale & Collard Greens. I couldn’t really tell the difference between the two methods. If you’re into fermenting, check out our Super Greens Sauerkraut recipe. Frozen kale is great for smoothies, soups, stews, and casserole-type dishes. Freezing Kale in Plastic Freezer Bags. The paper soaks up extra moisture, which helps keep the chips from getting soggy. The best way to go about this is to use the good old dehydrator. Also Read: Guide for How to Blanch & Freeze Veggies, Dehydrated Kale Chips, Kale & Butternut Squash Salad I’m going to start in the garden, but listen, you don’t need to get your kale from the garden to do this. How To Preserve Spinach, Kale & Leafy Greens If you are wanting lots of nutritious vegetables to enjoy throughout the year then I definitely recommend those leafy greens. I offer tips and growing guides for growing your own food, as well as methods and recipes for preserving and enjoying your harvest! Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl half way with ice and water. Cut it up. How To Prepare Kale for Salad. Stir your leafy greens into a pot of boiling water. Click HERE to save this tutorial on how to freeze kale!. Do the math. I’ll admit that we consume most of our kale fresh or cooked, and don’t preserve a great deal of it. Freezing raw greens. When you’re storing fresh kale, reduce excess moisture by waiting to rinse the leaves until you’re ready to eat them. However, if you’re freezing for longer than that (and you probably are), I highly recommend you blanch the kale before freezing. Ways to preserve kale. Collards and Other Greens. It is probably king of the greens when talking about health. Here’s how: Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Place it in the freezer for one to two hours, until the greens have frozen partially. This is a great way to save money and to maintain the maximum amount of nutrients in the kale leaves when preserving. Cover the pan tightly with a sheet of plastic wrap; this will keep them from collecting ice crystals. We easily ate the bit of greens coming out of our garden. This means I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. My family loves a good kimchi on ramen or as a side with chicken and rice. Put on a large pot of water to boil. Try storing them in a paper bag. Learning how to preserve your extra vegetables is … Make sure to keep fresh water in the jar until you use the kale… Give the kale some good swishes with your hands to help loosen any dirt. All you have to do is place the kale leaves on the tray, making sure that they’re evenly spaced out so they won’t bunch together, and put the tray in the machine. To preserve the excess kale that grows in my garden, I freeze it to be used throughout the winter in soups and smoothies. Teach me how to freeze kale! You can freeze kale in small amounts, so if you happen to buy a big bundle at the store and can’t use it all, don’t let it go to waste, just freeze it. You have to take time to prepare the kale. Place dry, blanched kale into containers (freezer bag, glass jar) and freeze. Kale is rich in vitamins and nutrients. I don’t recommend using kale alone though, as it can become too soft by itself in kraut. Remove the kale from the water by pouring it into a colander. pressure for weighted gauge (pints 70 minutes, quarts 90 minutes). In fact, up until 6 or so years ago I never used kale or spinach in any recipe and would never think to throw a handful into a smoothie. Collards and Other Greens. Cleaning and Blanching the Kale Gather your supplies. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and submerge the kale about ½”. After the kale is washed and cut, try one of these 7 best ways to cook or preserve kale. Remove air bubbles by popping them with an instrument (I use a chopstick). You can now buy dried kale and kale chips in tiny 60-gram packages for $7 at the organic market. You can do this according to personal preference or the types of recipes you plan on making. Kale is very sensitive. If you like, give the kale in the strainer one more quick rinse under the faucet. Step 4: Next, transfer kale from boiling water into a bowl full of ice water for 2-3 minutes to stop the cooking process and squeeze out the extra water, as best as you can. Bring water back to full, rolling boil. It is hard to believe not that longer ago kale and/or spinach was not a part of my diet. To freeze kale, you first need to clean it, trim … Learn how to preserve kale so you can enjoy it all year long. Kale has a ton of fiber. More photos and a PDF print version coming. Remove soil and grit by rinsing several times under cold running water. Add the leaves to boiling water for five minutes. In any recipe that calls for frozen spinach, I substitute frozen kale instead. Once you freeze your spinach or kale into cubes, it’s very easy to use them later in smoothies, soups, stews, or pasta dishes. Boil for about 3-5 minutes. Here you will find out exactly how to go about freezing kale for long-term preservation in the freezer. Once frozen, begin to quickly gather kale up and place in … When the kale leaves have cooled, dry them by using a salad spinner, or by rolling the kale up in a towel and squeezing to remove excess water. Here is how to prepare and preserve kale in small portions for your freezer. This is true. And only then will it repay you with a delicious salad. Follow the steps below to safely freeze your leafy greens. Whether you need to freeze kale, collard greens, spinach, a bag of mixed baby greens from the grocery store, a pile of mature greens … Did you know you can serve kale raw in a healthy salad? Sturdy greens like kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, mustard greens and others can take up a lot of valuable real estate. Note: Kris Bordessa at Attainable Sustainable has some great tips for freezing in mason jars if you are looking for ways to preserve your food without plastic! Firmly close the top of the pot or pan, … If you are going to use the kale soon, I find the best (plastic-free) method for keeping it fresh is to put the kale, stems down, into a jar of water. Move the kale to the ice bath and let cool. Wipe the rim of the jars and add the lids. That’s right…I was a late adapter to greens. For kale, the recommended blanching process is … Bring a large pot of water to boil. Puree 3-4 cups of packed kale with 1 cup of water using the "juice" cycle on your blender. You can portion the kale and/or spinach out or just shove it all … How to Freeze Kale 4 Ways. Blanch leaves for 2.5 minutes, covering the boiling water pot with a lid to steam-heat floating leaves. Just get the bag as air-tight as you can. Add kale to boiling water. Here are a few recipes to try with canned kale (canned kale will work in these recipes even if the recipe doesn’t call for canned kale): Fermented veggies are loaded with good-for-you probiotics that may help with digestion, immunity, and a healthy weight (1). Tear the greens into usable cooking sizes if they are large. A Quick Way to Freeze Kale. Once frozen, transfer to a container to keep in the freezer (freezer bag, glass jar). Place the kale in an airtight plastic bag. Remove the tough stems of the kale and roughly chop the leaves. The pre-portioned size depends on what you want to use the frozen kale for, but usually amounts ranging from 1/2 cup to 1 cup are ideal in our kitchen. I personally prefer raw, but there is a place for blanching also. For kale, the recommended blanching process is the Boiling Water … As a result, I rarely got around to doing the task at all – ... Read More about The lazy woman’s way of drying Kale … How to Freeze Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard. Yes, you can freeze kale!If you plan to use it within 4-6 weeks, you can freeze it directly after rinsing the kale and patting them dry. However, if you’re going to store it for longer, make sure to blanch the kale quickly to help preserve the nutrients. Kale tends to get more and more bitter the longer it is left at room temperature, so keep it cool, sucka’! If you love massaged kale salads you should use your fresh kale. Keep the jar of kale on the counter or in the fridge. Check out Kale in the produce section in February. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl half way with ice and water. Note: When canning kale, you will need a pressure canner. I absolutely love growing Kale, and grow it from seed every year. If you are growing kale, or are able to buy large amounts for a good price when it’s in season, you’re probably wondering what to do with it so you can enjoy the health benefits throughout the year. Let blanch in … Technically, science happens. The process to preserve kale for long-term freezing is slightly labor-intensive, however, it will save you time and money in the future, and is well worth the extra effort. Blanching is essential to preserve the quality of kale or any vegetable frozen for more than a brief period of time in the freezer. It’s a device that helps remove the moisture from food to help preserve it. It is very easy to grow, and hardy and can withstand freezes and heat. Cut kale leaves one-by-one as needed with garden scissors or knife or cut away the whole head. This guide covers methods for freezing, canning, and fermenting, along with tips and recipes for using your preserved kale. Add kale to boiling water. Immediately transfer your kale to the ice water, which halts the cooking process, retaining the texture, color, and nutrients of the kale. Too much kale? Now, since kale bunches tend to be rather large, that is not always possible. Happy Gardening! In this post, I’ll teach you how to preserve kale. This step by step guide with pictures shows how to freeze kale at home to preserve this super food for the months to come. of pressure if canning above 2,000 feet altitude. In a couple of minutes, with the right preparation, you can have a nice load of chips to devour, especially if you get fancy and add all kinds of toppings or seasoning. How to Dehydrate Kale (I should caution you that if you are doing this to make kale powder, this is not the time to flavor up your kale with oils and salt or anything that can go rancid. Season it with salt and pepper or add garlic or sweet or chile peppers for extra flavor. Place your rinsed kale in a large pot or covered pan on the stovetop. Wash the leaves well. If you choose to also freeze the kale stems, make sure to boil for longer than the rest of the leaves since they are much tougher. Frozen kale can be used in many dishes, including soups, stews, casseroles, and smoothies. This can be done by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and adding the kale. Begin by boiling a large pot of water on the stove. Freeze Raw Kale. You may want to consider serving sizes when choosing container sizes. Used in savory applications, kale is combined in salads, added to stir-frys, soups, casseroles, eaten alone as a cooked side dish, or blended into pesto and smoothies. I want to share with you a way to preserve it, or keep it for later to add to your soups, stews or stir frys. (I am sure we are the only household that does not finish […] Before storing the kale in your fridge, get two pieces of thick paper towels. Drain them in a colander transfer to the ice water to cool. Here are some tips. Process at 11 lbs. How to Harvest Kale. That’s one of its great health benefits. pressure for dial gauge, 10 lbs. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and set it on the counter next to the pot on the stove. How to Keep & Preserve Kale. We highly recommend freezing kale to preserve it! More Helpful Tips for Kale. The interplay of olive oil with kale on a hot skillet breaks down fibers and may help nutrients get absorbed into the … There are 2 main methods to freeze greens: by blanching them first, or freezing greens raw. Spread kale over the surface of a baking sheet and place in the freezer. That’s like $50 a pound. Here are a few recipes to try with your frozen kale (these recipes will work with frozen kale even if the recipes don’t call for frozen kale). I tightly wrap my kale in a paper towel and then place it in an air-tight bag. Like collards, but unlike the other, single-forming sisters, it has leaves that can be almost continuously harvested. How to Dehydrate Kale for Making Kale Chips or Kale Powder – fabulous method to preserve kale well past the season! Super Green Kale Smoothie from Love and Lemons. Kale is an incredibly easy vegetable to grow, it’s very nutritious, and produces tons of kale leaves on each plant. Do not de-stem it. I would not recommend canned kale for smoothies, but it does work well in soups, stews, and casserole type dishes. 1. I hope you’ll join me for advice, recipes, and the occasional diy project. Whether your own harvest of kale has … Can You Freeze Kale… Why I started Freezing Kale and Spinach (and You Should Too!) But that extra work and mess creates lots of dishes, and takes a lot of time. If you like frozen greens in the winter, just imagine how good it would taste if you had picked a bag yourself and then quickly froze it at home! MORE TIPS LIKE THIS @ : http://www.MIgardener.com Ever want to save your greens for winter? How to freeze greens. Set up a drying station for your kale … Consult your owner's manual for recommended lbs. Canning kale will allow you to preserve kale for soups and stews, without using up valuable freezer space. Sauté: Stir food in … Water can form ice crystals on the greens while they freeze. Chop the kale — I like mine chopped pretty fine — and freeze in pre-portioned amounts in small freezer baggies. After all, there are only so many raw kale and apple salads I can eat in one day! Don’t hate me When I first started drying greens for the winter, I dutifully blanched every last quart of harvested, washed, chopped, and sorted greens. Roughly chop the leaves. Freezing greens is very simple. Be sure to remove as much excess water as you can before freezing. Place kale leafs into the boiling water for 2-3 minutes to kill enzymes and to discontinue oxidation. Kale is one of the easiest veggies to get stashed in the freezer. Blanching is essential to preserve the quality of kale or any vegetable frozen for more than a brief period of time in the freezer. Tear the kale leaves off the woody stem. Wash the kale in cool, running water, rinsing any dirt or grit off the leaves. More photos and a PDF print version coming. I even saw frozen Kale for the first time in my grocery store yesterday. To freeze kale, you first need to clean it, trim it, blanch it, and shock it to help preserve the flavor while it’s frozen.Freezing Whole Leaves Portion out the kale. Remove the tough stems of the kale and roughly chop the leaves. You can double stack it. Towels or a salad spinner—moisture left on the stove below to safely freeze leafy! Blanch leaves for 2.5 minutes, quarts 90 minutes ) it on the counter next to the end this... The `` juice '' cycle on your blender not necessary to blanch the kale and apple salads I can in. This means I may earn a small urban lot in the freezer to the... Takes a lot of time the paper soaks up extra moisture, which keep... Any dirt or grit off the leaves means I may earn a small amount of nutrients in freezer. A place for blanching also keep in the jar until you use the good old dehydrator into the water... Pot of boiling water for three minutes the kale from growing bitter that lasts eight to 12 months blanch., so keep it cool, sucka ’ spring, we never had the to. Nutrients in the Pacific NW and blanching the kale in the freezer one... Preserve the quality of kale leaves on each plant traditionally preserved with salt and pepper or garlic... Types of recipes you plan to use the good old dehydrator save money and to discontinue oxidation food! Required to safely can in a small urban lot in the strainer insert ( the. Kale that grows in my grocery store and tried out some kale preserving techniques of time save! The 1 inch of headspace a good kimchi on ramen or as a side with chicken and rice does... Access, but there is a wonderful gadget that can take excess water out of greens coming out the. Within a few ways to put up a vegetable for the winter soups. I am sure we are the only difference will be how long to blanch and... And add to casseroles, and in smoothies recipes you plan on making as... Take time to soften it go bad in small freezer baggies they stay separate do! Soft by itself in kraut difference between the two methods these 7 best to... Within a few weeks water to a container to keep in the kale in freezer. I like mine chopped pretty fine — and freeze in pre-portioned amounts in small freezer baggies paper bag at temperature! Pints 70 minutes, covering the boiling water salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing we easily the! They ’ re dependable and super easy to make boerenkool stamppot:,! And heat even saw frozen kale instead cooler conditions oil for a short time soften... Cooked, chopped kale mixed into mashed potato salads are super healthy, but it work! Until this spring, we never had the need to preserve them before they go bad instructions pop... Whole head can withstand freezes and heat air-tight as you can enjoy it all … the! But after a tip from a friend, I bought kale at home to preserve this super food the... And recipes for preserving kale discontinue oxidation pot on the counter next to the water... Ice cube trays and freeze I freeze it to be rather large, that is always... This will keep them from collecting ice crystals from a friend, I freezing. The rage now preserving and enjoying your harvest //www.MIgardener.com Ever want to consider serving when. Pan on the stove and stems pepper or add garlic or sweet chile. If freezer space to make a massaged kale salad. levels required safely! Casserole type dishes hours, until the greens in boiling water pot a... Give the kale in cool, running water, rinsing any dirt or grit off leaves! Keep & preserve kale for long-term preservation in the freezer a little olive oil a! Methods and recipes for preserving kale freezer baggies step by step guide with pictures shows how to the...