Methods of freezing chanterelles

Chanterelles are rightly called one of the most useful forest gifts. They are rich in vitamins, amino acids and minerals that improve the condition of the skin, hair, restore vision, remove toxins from the liver, increase immunity and other protective functions of the body. From them you can cook a variety of dishes, as well as make preparations for the winter: dry, pickle, salt, freeze.

In this article, we will focus on the harvesting of chanterelles for the winter through freezing. For beginners, this process may seem difficult, so some questions may arise, for example, how to freeze chanterelles, and how long do they last?

Processing chanterelles before freezing

What is the best way to freeze chanterelles, and is it worth it to heat it before this process so that the mushrooms do not lose their beneficial properties? Consider several options for freezing chanterelles: raw, boiled and fried.

Before you start recipes for freezing chanterelles, you need to study the general rules for their preliminary processing.

• Raw mushrooms should be processed as soon as possible. Such preparations will be much tastier and safer for health.
• Chanterelles are cleaned of forest debris, cut off the tips of the legs, if this was not done in the forest, and washed in a large amount of cold water.
• Before freezing, fresh mushrooms are selected only whole, without damage. Broken and large specimens are best left to boil or fry.
• Mushrooms are laid on a kitchen towel and dried for at least 3-4 hours. Although drying is carried out for a sufficiently long time, it cannot be neglected so that the remaining moisture in the freezer does not turn into ice.

Important: to keep fresh mushrooms longer longer, they can be sprinkled with a small amount of salt before freezing.

What is the best way to freeze fresh chanterelles for the winter?

How to freeze fresh chanterelles fresh for the winter, so that the product is not harmful to health later?

• 3 kg of fresh chanterelles;
• 70 g of salt;
• Plastic containers or plastic bags.

1. After pre-processing and drying, the mushrooms are distributed in food plastic containers and sprinkled with salt a little.
2. You can use plastic bags: pour chanterelles, salt, let out all the air and tie tightly.
3. Put in the freezer and store at a temperature not lower than -18 ° С.

After defrosting, such mushrooms can be quickly salted or pickled for any festivities.

How to freeze raw chanterelles without boiling: step-by-step description

How to prepare chanterelles for the winter by freezing without heat treatment? In this option, we suggest using the blanching process.

• 3 kg of chanterelles;
• 1 onion;
• 1.5 tbsp. l salts;
• Food containers or plastic bags.

How to freeze raw chanterelles, excluding boiling, will show a step-by-step description.

1. Pour water into the pan, let it boil and add onion cut into 4 parts with 1.5 tbsp. l salt.
2. The peeled and washed chanterelles are spread in a thin layer in a colander.
3. Dip in boiling brine for 2-3 minutes and immediately washed under a tap with cold water.
4. Let drain and lay on a kitchen towel, leaving in this position for about 3 hours.
5. Carry out this procedure with mushrooms until they are fully used.
6. After drying, the mushrooms are spread in a thin layer on a spread and placed in a freezer for shock freezing. Set the lowest possible temperature for 2 hours.
7. They take it out, put it in bags or containers and put it in the freezer again, returning the previous temperature.

How to prepare boiled chanterelles for the winter by freezing

Pre-treatment of boiled chanterelles before freezing is carried out in the same way as fresh ones.

Freezing after boiling is considered the most reliable way to prepare mushrooms for consumption. Many cooks use this option to save time: mushrooms are simply thawed and then stewed, fried, marinated or cooked first courses.

How to freeze boiled chanterelles, preserving the aroma and taste of fruit bodies? We offer a recipe that will appeal to you for its simplicity and affordability.

• 2 kg of chanterelles;
• 2 tsp rock salt (not iodized);
• 1 onion;
• 2 cloves.

How to freeze boiled chanterelle mushrooms will show a detailed description of the process.

1. Pour water into the pan so that it is 2 times more than the main product.
2. Add salt, cloves and onion, cut into 2 parts, allow to boil.
3. Immerse the peeled and washed mushrooms in boiling brine and cook for 10 minutes, removing the resulting foam from the surface. If the boiling time is increased, then, when frozen, chanterelles lose their structure.
4. Lean back onto a wire rack, let it drain thoroughly, and then spread a thin layer on a kitchen towel and leave to dry for 2-3 hours.
5. Fold fruit bodies in bags or food containers, squeeze and close.
6. Put in the freezer and store at a temperature not exceeding -18 ° C.

How to freeze boiled chanterelles for cooking first courses

How to freeze chanterelles for the winter after boiling, if they will be used to prepare the first dishes? Mushrooms are frozen with liquid, pouring everything into an airtight food container.

• 2 kg of chanterelles;
• 2 tsp salts;
• 2 l of water;
• 2 pcs. bay leaf and cloves;
• 5 peas of black pepper.

1. After cleaning and washing, the mushrooms are poured with boiling brine.
2. Brine: salt and spices are combined in 2 l of water, allowed to boil and boil for 5 minutes.
3. Mushrooms are cooked in brine for 15 minutes over low heat and turn off the stove. If you want to reduce cooking time, then mushrooms should be cut into pieces.
4. Allow to cool completely and prepare for freezing.
5. A plastic bag is placed in a plastic food container.
6. Mushrooms are laid out in it, poured with broth and, without covering, are cleaned in the freezer.
7. After complete hardening, the bag with frozen tiles is removed and placed in the freezer.
8. From the resulting semi-finished product in winter, you can very simply cook aromatic mushroom soup or stew potatoes with chanterelles in the broth.

How to freeze fried chanterelles for the winter: a step-by-step description

There are many recipes for preparing chanterelles for the winter through freezing. However, if you do not have enough time to preserve mushrooms, use frying and subsequent freezing.

How to consecutively freeze fried chanterelles for the winter will show a step-by-step description of the recipe.

• 2 kg of chanterelles;
• 100 ml of vegetable oil;
• 3 onions;
• 3 tsp salts;
• ½ tsp ground black pepper.

1. The peeled and washed chanterelles are cut into small pieces.
2. Pour 1/3 of the oil into the hot pan and spread the mushrooms.It is better not to use animal fats, otherwise such mushrooms are stored frozen for no more than 1-1.5 months.
3. Fry until all the liquid has evaporated.
4. Add the rest of the oil, add onion chopped into cubes and fry for 10 minutes.
5. Add salt, add pepper, mix and continue to fry for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the stove, leave to cool completely and distribute into food containers.
7. Press down so that air comes out, close the lids and send to the freezer.

How to freeze chanterelles without spices at home

This recipe for cooking chanterelles by freezing for the winter does not include the addition of any spices and vegetables. Even the amount of vegetable oil should be limited. The main advantage of this method is that mushrooms do not need to be boiled.

• 2 kg of chanterelles;
• 50 ml of vegetable oil.

How to freeze chanterelle mushrooms for the winter can be found in the step-by-step description.

1. The peeled and washed chanterelles are spread in a dry hot pan and fried until the liquid evaporates.
2. Add vegetable oil and fry for 15 minutes over low heat.
3. Allow the mushrooms to cool slightly and lay on paper towels to drain all excess fat.
4. Mushrooms are packaged in a convenient way and sent for storage in the freezer.

After thawing, such a preparation can be used for pizzas, pies, and fried potatoes or meat.

The recipe for cooking chanterelles for the winter by freezing in sour cream or cream

Sometimes, when frying (without boiling), the mushrooms may be slightly bitter. How to freeze chanterelles at home so that there is no bitterness in the dish?

We suggest using a recipe for preparing chanterelle mushrooms for the winter by freezing in sour cream or cream.

• 2 kg of chanterelles;
• 200 ml of 30% cream or sour cream;
• 3 cloves of garlic;
• 4 tbsp. l vegetable oil;
• 2 tsp salt.

1. After preliminary cleaning, chanterelles soak for 1 hour in cold water.
2. Boil for 10 minutes in salted water, constantly removing the foam.
3. Let drain on a wire rack and fry in oil until golden.
4. Pour cream and salt, stir, continue simmering over low heat for as long as the cream evaporates to half.
5. Add the chopped garlic and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Remove from heat, allow to cool and then put into plastic containers.
7. Put in the freezer and store no more than 3 months. Such an interesting semi-finished product can surprise your guests and delight loved ones.

It is worth saying that the duration of storage of frozen mushrooms will depend on which method you choose.

• For chanterelles, frozen fresh, it is recommended no more than 10 months of storage in the freezer.
• For boiled chanterelles, the maximum shelf life is 3-4 months.
• Fried mushrooms should be stored in the freezer for no more than 3 months.