Cooking Tip: How to Freeze Basil
How to Freeze Organic Basil
Basil is a highly fragrant tender herb plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Revered by chefs and foodies alike, organic basil has become one of the most recognizable and popular herbs used in recipes today.
Basil is a tender herb that does not grow year around in areas that are colder than a USDA gardening zones 8. Unlike many other fresh organic herbs, basil does not do well if brought inside over the winter. As avid lovers of basil we grow pounds and pounds of organic basil in a multitude of varieties all summer long and then freeze what we don't use to get us through the winter. Here's our tried and true method for freezing organically grown basil:
- Plant a lot of organic basil in several different varieties
- During the harvest months when basil is at its peak growth, harvest bunches of fresh basil leaves.
- Chop basil leaves up into large pieces and rinse chopped leaves in a colander.
- Press chopped basil leaves into ice cube trays and cover with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Freeze overnight. The next day, pop out basil ice cubes and place in freeze bags.
To use; basil is a versatile herb that is used in a variety of recipes including soup recipes, pesto recipes, sauce recipes and pasta recipes. To use frozen basil cubes just drop 1-2 basil cubes into soups, stews, pasta sauce or thaw out to use in salads and spreads. Types of basil:
There are numerous varieties of culinary basil. The most basil used in cooking is Organic Sweet Genovese Basil. Genovese basil produces large, flavorful leaves that are ideal for making pesto or eating fresh. Organic Sacred Basil is an ideal variety for cooks who wish to grow their own basil and who live in colder climate areas. Sacred Basil has the same sweet flavor as Genovese but the tender herb will tolerate colder growing conditions.
Healthy Eating Tips:
Not only does basil taste great, basil is good for you. Add flavor to your pasta sauce or fresh salad while realizing cardiovascular health benefits. Basil has been found to be an excellent source of Vitamin A as an end product of its high concentration of carotenoids including beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the cells of the body from damage caused by free radicals. It is also one of the carotenoids believed to enhance the function of the immune system.
