Its time to freeze some fennel! Learn the top 5 rules and get the most out of your fennel harvest!
Fennel, pennel, kennel, mengel, prengel, pringle. Love every single fennel, prengle in my garden. Let’s freeze some fennel, kennel, pennel. This is the fennel freezer song. Let’s read some more and sing along!
It’s time to freeze some fennel! Did you grow a bunch of fennel in your garden or just bought a lot because there was this crazy promotion or fennel is in season and you want to preserve some for winter? No matter how the fennel came into your kitchen (please, don’t kill anyone to get some fennel, that would be too much), you are getting ready to freeze it for later! Watch the video with visual explanations
Freezing fennel isn’t too hard, but it is recommended to follow certain steps, to preserve as many nutriments as possible. Read the steps below or watch my video on freezing fennel for a two minutes overview or a longer take on freezing with some fun aspects and a short cameo of Dionysse, my cat.
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Wash the bulb, removing stalks and leaves.
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cut the bulb into lengthwise quarters or crosswise 1-inch slices. …
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Transfer the fennel pieces to a bowl of ice water until cool. …
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Store in sealed bags or containers; freeze for 6 months.
Rule 5: Choose wisely on what you’re keeping
You can use any part of the fennel, from the root to the leaves, watch Jamie Oliver’s video on different uses. But if you don’t have a habit of using all the parts, I wouldn’t freeze it all. You can try out some parts freshly if you want to experiment, but it is useless to stack your freezer with plants you’re not going to use. If you want to preserve different parts, I’d recommend to put them in separate bags or in different smaller portions. The process is mostly the same as preparing the bulb.
Chopped, you can mix the leaves in a pesto or in a cold sauce or in a vinaigrette. They serve as a herb. I they’d be also delicious with some cold smoked salmon. Raw, fennel, so without blanching and without freezing, your fennel bulbs are magnificent in a salad with small potatoes. Remember that your fennel is never getting crunchy again after you froze it. So take advantage of fresh fennel when you have it and give raw fennel your first choice of preparation when they are in season. Cooked, there is a big diversity of uses for the bulb: plain, boiled with vegetable stock; with pasta, salmon and a white sauce; a friend of mine pours maple syrup on it and cooks it in the oven; mash it with potatoes etc. The stems can be used in stocks and the roots may also have a use!
How to freeze fennel?
- Cut the leaves and the bottom (roots) of the bulb
- Wash the fennel bulb
- Cut the fennel in smaller parts, if necessary, take out the heart
- If necessary, but normally not, wash again
- Boil the fennel for 30 seconds and immediately after cool in ice cold water
- Dry the pieces and put them in small plastic bags
- Push out as much air as possible and close the bags completely
- Open the freezer and stack your fennel inside!
How to freeze fennel
How do you freeze fennel?
Comprising bulbs, stalks, and fronds (leaves), each part of the fennel brings a unique texture and flavor to your dishes. Its bulbs are crunchy, the stalks are fibrous, and the feathery leaves are aromatic. To freeze fennel, first clean and chop the bulbs and leaves. Blanch bulbs in boiling water for three minutes, then cool in an ice bath.
How can one eat fennel seeds?
Fennel seeds can be eaten on their own as a sautéed or processed snack. They can also be mixed with other seeds, in preparations or as decoration.
How do you store frozen fennel?
Here’s how to store your frozen fennel packages effectively: Choose a Suitable Location: Select a location within your freezer that maintains a consistently low temperature. Avoid placing your fennel packages near the freezer door or in areas that are susceptible to temperature fluctuations when you open the freezer.
Can you freeze Fennel after blanching?
Blanching is an essential step in the process of freezing fennel, and it plays a crucial role in preserving the color, texture, and flavor of this versatile vegetable. By following this step, you are taking a proactive approach to ensure that your frozen fennel will maintain its high quality even after freezing.