About Sage
Sage is a plant that has been known for decades as an herb for medicinal and culinary purposes. Its name, Salvia officinalis, originates from the Latin term “slavere” which translates to “to be saved.” This evergreen subshrub has woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue and purple flowers. It can be described as a highly distinctive herb with a natural flavor and can be purchased fresh or dried and whole leaf or rubbed.
Refrigerate Fresh Sage
Its recommended that fresh sage leaves are not eaten raw, as their flavors are harsh. Rather, sage, known as faksomilo to the Greeks, should be cooked or minced to use in meals that involve squash, poultry, stews, and more. Fresh sage leaves should be aromatic and have no soft spots or dry edges.
To store, simply wrap the sage leaves in paper towels and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Make sure to use the leaves within four to five days. Fresh leaves that are covered in olive oil can be stored for much longer in the refrigerator, about three weeks. Use the flavored oil to your advantage to sauté sage with other ingredients. For example, consider a dish like butternut squash with pasta and sage leaves.
The complete guide to FREEZE-DRYING HERBS: basil, parsley, dill, sage, thyme, rosemary
Can Sage be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze sage in ice cube trays. Start by finely chopping or mincing the sage leaves. Fill each compartment of the ice cube tray with the chopped sage, then add a small amount of water or oil to cover the leaves. Freeze the tray until the sage cubes are solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
Can you freeze sage leaves?
For example, consider a dish like butternut squash with pasta and sage leaves. If you don’t want to refrigerate your fresh sage, you can always freeze the leaves. To do so, wash and pat them dry, remove the leaves from the stems, and pack them loosely in freezer bags for up to one year.
Can you freeze Sage without flash freezing?
Yes, you can freeze sage without using the flash-freezing method. Instead of arranging the sage leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet, you can place them in airtight freezer-safe bags or containers directly. However, be aware that without flash freezing, the leaves may stick together when frozen.
Can you use dried sage instead of fresh?
If you are using dried herbs, only use one-third of the fresh amount required in the recipe. If your recipe calls for 1 Tablespoon of fresh sage, you can use one teaspoon of dried sage instead. Can you dry sage leaves fast in the microwave?