Is it possible to freeze ginger in the freezer - the most “delicious” ways to store the root

Spices and seasonings are usually used in small quantities. In this regard, the question may arise whether ginger can be frozen in the freezer to preserve for later use. In stores, the root is sold not only fresh, but also in pickled form. In addition, ginger can be included in the mixture along with chopped lemon. In each case, an individual storage method is used, but in general, we can answer that the spicy root can be frozen.

Does ginger lose its beneficial properties when frozen?

Of course, the most beneficial is fresh ginger root. When any spice is processed, some of the beneficial substances are lost. Freezing in this sense is the most gentle way to preserve the root. A small proportion of ascorbic acid is destroyed during the freezing process. Vitamin C is retained in the product by 80-90%.

But essential oils, useful minerals, and biologically active compounds do not disappear anywhere. For example, gingerol contained in ginger does not disappear during freezing.This plant alkaloid has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic effects, promotes weight loss by accelerating metabolism.

How to properly freeze ginger

Before you put ginger in the freezer, you need to inspect it carefully. Regardless of the form in which the root is frozen, it must be without signs of spoilage. If ginger has gone bad, it may change smell, color and consistency. At room temperature, the spice loses its fresh appearance within a week.

A high-quality root is hard to the touch and has no traces of mold. A wrinkled surface indicates that the ginger has begun to lose moisture, which means its properties have already deteriorated. The smell emanating from the root should be pronounced, ginger and nothing else.

Fresh

To freeze fresh, you need to choose the right ginger. It is desirable that the root be smooth, without a large number of shoots.

The preparation procedure looks like this:

1. The ginger is washed under cold water and cleaned of adhering contaminants.
2. Then the root is dried with a paper towel.
3. The product prepared for freezing is cut into small pieces that can be used at a time or into thin slices.
4. It is better to cut off the skin before the root ends up in the freezer.

Ginger should be stored in an airtight container. Fresh root is placed in small plastic containers with a lid. You can use ziplock bags or vacuum packaging.

To prevent the slices from sticking to each other, first lay them out on a tray in one layer and place them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.The product is then transferred to suitable containers for final storage. You can cut the spice not only into slices, but also into small cubes. However, the root retains its properties best if it is divided into relatively large parts.

With lemon

A mixture of crushed ginger and lemon is used as a preparation for a useful potion. In combination, both products successfully complement each other, representing together a vitamin and biologically active bomb. Ginger with lemon is taken during a cold, for vitamin deficiencies, and during the recovery period after a serious illness.

This mixture activates the immune system and adds strength. A cube of the frozen mixture can simply be added to tea at any time, enriching its taste.

Preparation and freezing process:

1. First you need to wash and cut the lemon into pieces, freeing it from the seeds.
2. The ginger is also washed, dried, peeled, and cut into slices with a knife.
3. Then both products are placed in a blender and crushed. If you don't have a blender, you can use a meat grinder.
4. The ratio of ginger and lemon is arbitrary, it is a matter of taste.
5. The resulting aromatic mixture is placed in ice trays, frozen for 2-3 hours, and then poured into a plastic bag and put in the freezer.

In folk medicine, both products are often combined with honey. However, you should not add such an additive in advance. It is better to put honey in a cup immediately before drinking the drink so that it retains its properties.

Marinated

If you bought pickled ginger and are fed up with the product, you can also freeze it. Even when treated with vinegar in the refrigerator, the root does not last long.Since the product is frozen along with the marinade, dividing it into parts later will be problematic.

The ginger is immediately divided into portions. Small plastic sour cream jars with a lid are suitable as containers. Ginger slices are placed in each of them, which are then filled with marinade. With this method of freezing, you must be prepared for the fact that the root pieces will partially lose their elasticity. The degree of spiciness of the spice may also decrease.

Grated

Grated ginger can be considered a universal seasoning. In this form, the root is added to various dishes, sauces, and drinks. Ginger gives off its flavor better when grated. Root preparation is carried out as in other cases. It is washed, wiped with a napkin, and peeled. After this, the ginger is grated on a fine grater.

You can prepare the spice this way in any quantity. Then the chips are packaged as convenient. You can use ice molds, embossed inserts from Assorted sweets, or immediately put chopped ginger root into small bags in portions. For ease of storage, after freezing in molds, the cubes are transferred to a common container.

Shelf life when frozen

Ginger can be frozen for storage for quite a long time. Over the course of a year, the spice will definitely not lose its taste and beneficial properties. According to nutritionists, the product can be stored in the freezer for a longer time - up to 3 years. However, you need to understand that the longer ginger is stored, the less benefit it retains.

How to defrost correctly

Before using frozen ginger, it is not always necessary to let the product settle.For example, when preparing hot foods and drinks, cubes are added to other ingredients during the cooking process without defrosting.

If you need to add a spice to a sauce or cold appetizers, take it out of the freezer in advance and put it in the refrigerator. Here the thawing process will proceed smoothly, and the product will retain its original appearance as much as possible. According to the generally accepted rule, the defrosting process in the refrigerator lasts one day.

If the preparation is needed urgently, the root can be thawed in the microwave by setting the appropriate mode. During the thawing process, check the product so that it does not overheat, especially if the portion is small. Another way is to defrost in cold water. It is suitable for cases where the ginger was frozen in a bag. The entire package must be immersed in a bowl of cold water, keeping it sealed.

Where can you add frozen ginger?

It is useful to keep a preparation in the form of frozen ginger root in the house in case of a cold. At the first symptoms of the disease, a great solution would be to drink a cup of ginger tea. This often helps to stop the further development of the disease.

Fans of Asian cuisine add spices to sauces and spicy soups, thereby providing a spicy taste to the dish. The preparation can be used to add to marinades for meat and fish. Some people like to use ginger as an additive to alcoholic drinks.

Pieces of spice are added to mulled wine and wine cocktails. Baking with ginger has a recognizable taste and aroma. The spicy root is suitable for sweet confectionery products - muffins, cookies, gingerbread. The spice can be used to make an excellent salad dressing by combining it with garlic, aromatic herbs and olive oil.

Housewives may wonder why they need to prepare the spicy root for future use if it is always available in the store. In fact, there is a reason for this. You may need a spice at the most unexpected moment, or you simply forgot to buy it when you decided to cook this or that dish. This is where the product from the freezer will come to the rescue. And in general it is very convenient. Chopped and frozen ginger is essentially a semi-finished product that can be quickly used without any preparation.