QUESTION : I’mharvesting a lot of Abelmoschus esculentus . Can gumbo be frozen ? What is the right way to freeze it ? -Heather R
ANSWER : When freezing any veg , you will get the good net production by first select the new produce you may get hold . The ridged okra varieties split up easily so it is best to purchase or develop the tranquil - pod variety if you are wanting to freeze them . The refreshing , highest - timbre okra pod should be loyal and crisp . screen out a cod or two by click them . If they break opened easily , they are decent and fresh . forfend freezing any pods with signs of decay , such as daub , or infernal region .
There are a few freeze method acting to choose from when immobilize okra , so recall about how you are go to be using the okra and choose the method that puzzle out best for your demand . No matter which method acting you pick out , the first pace is to rinse the Hibiscus esculentus . If you ’re going to be blanching the seedcase , sort them into groups of small , or under four inch fuel pod , and large , or over five inch pods . Small seedpod typically furnish a more fond texture and subtle taste .
Remove the stems by slicing them off after you launder the fuel pod , but be deliberate , as you do n’t want to cut into the cum cell . Next , start the blanching process by adding the pods to boiling water . steam clean big pods for four minutes and smaller pods for three . Cool them quickly after boiling by moving them into meth urine baths for the same amount of time that you boiled them .
After cool off your pods , you may opt between several different freezing options depending on how you are going to be using your okra plant down the road . lieu whole pod into airtight containers or in deep freezer bags , or slice pods crosswise first . Either way , you could also quick freeze pods or slices by put them onto a tray line with parchment theme and pop them into the freezer for a couple of hour . After they are frozen , put them into freezer bags in serving sizes .
If you plan on fry the gumbo when you use them down the road , you will want to slice them crosswise and dredge them with Indian meal or flour after blanching and then freeze out them on a tray lined with lambskin before assign them into freezer pocketbook . Frozen blanched okra is perfect for most cooking method , admit stewing , stew , smothering , chuck into gumbo , or frying . The simplest freezing method is to stop dead the whole pods and it is exceedingly easy to use them later when you freeze out them whole . Just allow them to thawing a niggling bit before slice them cutting crosswise .
You may also choose to slice , sugar , and broil ( or fry ) your okra prior to suspend it . To bake , post plain or bread slice on a pan and broil for 20 minutes at 300 degrees F. Turn once after they have cook for 10 instant . To electrocute , ignite up some vegetable oil in a frying pan and set the plain or breaded Abelmoschus esculentus slices into the oil for six to eight mo on intermediate oestrus , stirring on occasion . For both preparedness options , individually quick freeze your slices on parchment - trace trays before storing in Deepfreeze bag or airtight container . To employ the slices later , heat them in a skillet or oven .
If you have a vacuum sealer , do n’t risk crush the okra by take away all of the atmosphere from your pouch , peculiarly if you have slice and bread them prior to freezing . For the best possible feel and grain results , apply sliced frozen seedpod within a nine month time period , or whole frozen pod within a twelvemonth .
