Celery is a rather difficult vegetable to freeze as it is very rich in water. Once thawed, its stems may become limp and lose flavor. However, if you have purchased too much celery and are concerned that it will wilt before use, you can extend its shelf life by placing it in the freezer. The important thing is to blanch it before freezing it so that it retains its flavor as much as possible. You can use it later to flavor soups and stews.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Choose the best stems
If you are going to freeze celery, it is helpful to select only the most beautiful parts. Choose the most tender and crunchy stems as they are more likely to resist freezing.
Avoid larger stems, which are usually very fibrous, as they are not suitable for freezing
Step 2. Wash and clean the celery
Once you've selected the prettiest stems, it's time to wash them thoroughly. Put them under cold water, then scrub them with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt. Rinse them again with cold water, then remove the base of each stem with a sharp knife. If there are any strings hanging down, remove them by pulling them from the bottom up.
Also cut away any discolored or damaged parts
Step 3. Cut it into pieces of the desired length
Once perfectly clean and peeled, you can cut the stems as you like. If you have not yet decided how to use them in the future, it is best to slice them into pieces about 2.5 cm long, a size generally suitable for most recipes.
Cutting celery after freezing can be difficult, so it's best to take the time to slice it ahead of time even if you're still not sure which recipes you intend to use it in
Part 2 of 3: Blanch the celery
Step 1. Boil water in a large pot
Put a large pot on the stove, then fill it with water: you will need to add enough to submerge all the celery you intend to freeze. Use a high heat and wait for the water to come to a brisk boil.
- The advice is to use 4 liters of water for every 500 g of celery.
- If you intend to store celery for no more than two months, it is not mandatory to blanch it before putting it in the freezer. However, boiling it for a few minutes in boiling water will ensure that it retains its flavor longer; you could therefore decide to cook it even if you are sure to use it in a short time.
Step 2. Boil the celery for a few minutes
When the water is boiling, it's time to add the celery pieces. Stir them with a wooden spoon to make sure they are all submerged in water, then let them cook for 3 minutes.
- If you want, you can put the pieces of celery in a metal basket and place it comfortably in the pot; in this way it will be easier to drain them from the water once they are cooked.
- Immediately after putting the celery in the pot, remember to start the kitchen timer so as not to risk overcooking it.
Step 3. Drain it from the boiling water to dip it in the ice cold water
After three minutes, it is time to remove it from the boiling water and transfer it to the bowl full of water and ice to stop cooking. Leave it to soak for another three minutes or so.
If you don't want to fill a bowl with water and ice, you can leave the celery directly in the colander and put it under cold running water to cool it as quickly as possible
Part 3 of 3: Freezing the Celery
Step 1. Drain and dry the celery pieces
Once cool, you can pour them back into the colander to drain them from the water. Shake it vigorously to remove as much of it as possible, then blot the celery with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and dry it thoroughly.
Try to dry it thoroughly as water residues could deteriorate it while it is in the freezer
Step 2. Transfer it to a container suitable for storing food in the freezer
After having drained and dried it carefully, divide it into portions of 250 g each. Place it in one or more freezer-safe containers, such as glass or plastic, or in disposable food bags.
- If you have chosen to use a rigid container, do not fill it completely as celery will tend to expand during freezing.
- If you prefer to use food bags, remember to let out as much air as possible before closing them.
Step 3. Label the container, then place it in the freezer
Once the celery is placed in the bags or containers, you need to add a label to indicate the contents and the date of freezing, so that it is easier to find and use at the right time. At this point, you can put it in the freezer for future use.
