If you are wondering how to freeze rhubarb you are in the right place. Freezing rhubarb is incredibly quick and easy and a great way to keep it fresh all year round.
Rhubarb is always the soul of the dish when preparing jams, pies, crisps, and cobblers. It adds a divine flavor to the dish and transforms it completely!
If you have a single crown of rhubarb, you will sort for the entire spring and summer!
However, most people struggle with storing rhubarb for a longer duration since it has chances to get stale pretty quickly.
Thus, to enjoy fresh rhubarb all year long, here is a complete guide on how you can preserve your rhubarb for longer durations effortlessly! Let’s get started.
Everything about rhubarb
Rhubarb is a perennial plant, the leaves are poisonous, but the stalks are safe and contain vitamins and minerals.
Rhubarb is high in fiber and a good source of vitamin K, which is excellent for bones.
It also has natural antioxidants and has very few calories. For example, a cup only has 26 calories.
Rhubarb has a slightly sour taste, but you can sweet or mix it with other ingredients and get a delicious balance.
Buy rhubarb fresh and crisp. And look for the stalks bright red. If the stalks are green, the rhubarb is not ripe, so that it will be more sour.
Can rhubarb be frozen?
Yes. You can freeze rhubarb sourced either from your garden or bought from the local store.
Freezing rhubarb will instantly extend its longevity and maintain its freshness for a prolonged duration without any hassle. In addition, the frozen rhubarb does not attract any external odor as well.
The tart flavor and the bright color stay even after freezing for months. The best part is you can always pair up the frozen rhubarb with all your other fresh ingredients like parsley, coriander, etc. It will still taste as perfect as it was on the first day!
How to freeze rhubarb?
Step 1: If your rhubarbs have leaves, discard them.
Step 2: Wash well and slice the rhubarb into thin pieces.
Step 3: Add the sliced rhubarb into a freezer bag or airtight container.
Step 4: Press the rhubarb flat to remove the remaining air and spread it evenly.
Step 5: Place the freezer bag onto a small baking sheet
Step 6: Place it into the freezer and let it freeze.
FAQs about freezing rhubarb
Is blanching the rhubarb necessary before freezing?
No. it is not required to blanch out your rhubarb before freezing.
How can I use frozen rhubarb?
You can use frozen rhubarb in pretty much any recipe, or you can throw some in any chutney!
How long can I store frozen rhubarb?
You can easily store frozen rhubarb for at least 6-12 months.
Is removing rhubarb leaves necessary?
Yes. Rhubarb leaves are highly poisonous. Hence, it is recommended to discard them before freezing them.
Implements and equipment you need to freeze rhubarb
Freezing rhubarb is not rocket science. Here is the easiest way to freeze rhubarb.
- One bunch of fresh rhubarb
- One freezer bag or airtight container
- Baking sheet(optional)
How to thaw rhubarb?
It is not necessary to thaw rhubarb before adding it to your dishes.
However, suppose you prefer softening your frozen ingredients. In that case, you can place the container or freezer bag on lukewarm water and let it warm up for 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can keep the frozen rhubarb at room temperature for the same duration.
This way, the rhubarb will gradually come back to the original temperature and keep the freshness intact.
Don’t warm it for more than 10 minutes; else, it might attract bacteria. Use it fresh to your veggies, fruits, meat, or pretty much anything, and enjoy!
What can you make with frozen rhubarb
You can use rhubarb in many desserts, jam for breakfast, in a barbecue sauce, or chutney. Let see some ideas:
- Rhubarb crumble.
- Rhubarb and strawberry pie.
- Rhubarb and vanilla jam.
- Pork chops with rhubarb BBQ sauce.
- Rhubarb and date chutney.
- Rhubarb and strawberry smoothie.
- Cinnamon and rhubarb muffins.
Want to learn more about freezing your favorites?
- Check this post about how to freeze cupcakes the right way!
- Read how to freeze asparagus easily and in no time
- Save this post about how to freeze peaches and keep it on hand
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