Nourish
How to Blanch Vegetables
What is Blanching?
Blanching is a culinary technique used to partially cook vegetables or fruits by immersing them in boiling water for a short time and then submerging them in ice water to stop the cooking process.
The boiling process will help the veggies retain their colour and texture, while the cold water stops the cooking process.
Blanching your vegetables before freezing them is essential because it helps preserve vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene. It also keeps the texture of the vegetables after they're frozen.
What Vegetables are Good for Blanching?
Vegetables that do well with this technique include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, peas, leafy greens, and asparagus.
How to Blanch Vegetables
Step 1: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil
The first step is to fill the pot with water and put it on the stovetop. You will need enough water so that when you place your vegetables into the pot, they are entirely submerged.
Step 2: Add your desired vegetable and cook for the appropriate amount of time
Prepare your vegetables (clean, peel and cut) and add them to the boiling water.
Tip
Generally, vegetables should be pre-boiled for at least 2 minutes. For some vegetables, you may need more cooking time. Use the guide below to make adjustments accordingly:
broccoli - 2 to 3 minutes
cauliflower - 2 to 3 minutes
carrots - 2 to 3 minutes
green beans - 2 minutes
peas - 2 minutes
leafy greens - 1 - 2 minutes
asparagus - 3 minutes
Step 3: Drain the hot water from the pot and rinse with cool water or iced water.
After cooking your vegetables, run them under cold water or put them in an ice bath. This step will stop their cooking process, and the vegetables will still be nice and vibrant in colour.
Step 4. Prepare for storage
Pat dry with paper towels before transferring them into an airtight container or zip-lock bag for storage in the freezer.
How long do Blanched Vegetables last in the Freezer?
Blanched vegetables that are frozen can last up to a year in your freezer! But you should keep tabs on these vegetables and ensure they stay frozen.
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