How to store saffron mushrooms in the freezer

Among lovers of "silent hunting" mushrooms are considered to be very tasty, fragrant and nutritious fruit bodies. In the collection season, they are arranged for a real "round-up". Having gathered a large crop of such a delicacy, many are wondering what to do with saffron mushrooms. For example, many people like to harvest these mushrooms for the winter, freezing them.

Can mushrooms be stored in the freezer and how to prepare mushrooms for freezing?

Is it possible to store saffron mushrooms in the freezer and how to do it? This question can be answered positively, however, so that with further defrosting the mushrooms do not have bitterness, it is necessary to correctly carry out the initial processing process.

To begin with, it should be noted that not everyone is involved in the processing of mushrooms immediately after harvest. The main reason is tiredness after a long walk through the forest. Therefore, in order to increase the shelf life by several times, it is necessary to pour the mushrooms with cold salted water and refrigerate. Fresh saffron mushrooms are stored in this condition for no more than 24 hours.

To prepare the mushrooms for freezing, they are cleaned of forest debris, cut off the tips of the legs and washed in cold water several times.

This procedure is used only if the mushrooms are not frozen raw. They are wiped with a damp kitchen towel or dishwashing sponge.

Next, the mushrooms are sorted by size and density. Strong and small specimens should be frozen in whole fresh form, this will preserve the beautiful appearance of saffron milk cap. Large fruiting bodies are best frozen after heat treatment. In this article, you can learn about how to freeze mushrooms in the freezer.

How to freeze fresh mushrooms?

For many, freezing fresh saffron mushrooms for the winter in the freezer is an unexplored method. In this regard, a great opportunity is missed all year round to enjoy such gifts of nature. Often, one mistake is made by mushroom pickers: fruit bodies are washed, distributed in bags and put in the freezer. This option is completely unsuitable for freezing fresh fruiting bodies.

To maintain an attractive appearance and useful properties, you need to know how to process and store mushrooms in a freezer.

Keeping saffron mushrooms fresh should not exceed 10-12 months, provided that the mushrooms were not re-frozen.

How to freeze blanched mushrooms?

Some mushroom pickers prefer to blanch mushrooms before freezing. How to store mushrooms mushrooms in the freezer so that they do not lose their appeal?

• To do this, after cleaning, the fruit bodies can be washed, rinsed with boiling water, then put on a kitchen towel and dried.
• Spread the mushrooms on a tray so that they do not touch each other.
• Send to the freezer and turn on the equipment option for “maximum freezing”.
• After 10-12 hours, everything will depend on the selected temperature, get the mushrooms out of the freezer.
• Transfer to prepared plastic containers and return to the freezer again.

Note that it is best to defrost saffron mushrooms in a natural way: transfer the mushrooms to the lowest shelf of the refrigerator and leave overnight. Blanched saffron mushrooms are stored in the freezer as much as fresh frozen ones - for 10-12 months.

Storage of salted saffron mushrooms in the freezer

The ideal option for harvesting mushrooms is their salting, and then freezing. How to store salted mushrooms in the freezer so that the maximum amount of nutrients remains in them? The positive aspect of this option is that mushrooms can be eaten immediately after thawing without being processed. In addition, with this method, mushrooms never sour or spoil.

Salting mushrooms for freezing is carried out in a cold way, but without a large amount of salt.

• Prepared mushrooms should be laid out in layers in an enamel container, pouring each layer with salt and bay leaves (for 1 kg of mushrooms take 1 incomplete tablespoon of salt).
• Squeeze in pressure and send to the refrigerator for 2 days (it is not recommended to keep the mushrooms in the refrigerator for more than the specified time - there may be a transfusion).
• Pack mushrooms in plastic bags or food containers and send to the freezer.

It is worth recalling that you need to pack mushrooms in one or two servings, as repeated freezing of fruiting bodies is not allowed. The optimal shelf life of salted frozen mushrooms does not exceed 6 months.

Is it possible to store boiled mushrooms in a freezer and how to prepare boiled mushrooms for freezing?

Many mushroom pickers prefer to make preparations from boiled fruit bodies. Can boiled saffron mushrooms be stored in the freezer and how long is it allowed to do this?

Boiled mushrooms for storage in the freezer are prepared as follows:

• Large specimens of mushrooms are cleaned, cut most of the legs and cut into pieces.
• Water is poured into an enameled pan and brought to a boil.
• Pieces of mushrooms are poured into boiling water and boiled for 15 minutes over low heat, constantly removing foam from the surface.
• Throw back into a colander and leave all the liquid to the glass.
• Cooled mushrooms are distributed on a tray or tray covered with cling film.
• They put it in the freezer and turn on the equipment at the lowest possible temperature.
• Leave for 12 hours, and after the indicated time, the mushrooms are distributed in plastic bags portionwise.

As already noted, it is recommended that the packages indicate the date of procurement and store the product for no more than 6 months. After thawing, mushrooms can be used as an additional ingredient in salads or sauces.

Is it possible to store fried mushrooms in the freezer for the winter?

Another popular way of harvesting is to freeze fried saffron mushrooms in the freezer for the winter.

• Mushrooms cleaned from forest debris are washed in a large amount of water.
• Spread on a wire rack for full drainage and cut into pieces.
• Fried in vegetable oil until golden brown.
• Allow to cool completely and distribute into food containers.
• They put in the freezer and leave until the moment of demand.

Fried mushrooms can be stored in the freezer for no more than 4-5 months. It is recommended that each container with mushrooms be marked with the date of freezing and do not re-freeze the product.

How to freeze caviar from mushrooms?

Is it possible to freeze mushrooms as caviar for the winter in the freezer and how to do it right?

• For cooking, you need carrots, onions, mushrooms, salt and vegetable oil.
• All products are overcooked separately at the plant site, combined and crushed by a blender.
• They are salted, mixed and fried again for 10 minutes over low heat.
• After complete cooling, the mass is distributed in plastic containers and placed in the freezer on demand.

Storage of saffron milk cap in the freezer as caviar can last no more than 3 months.