Today we will tell you how to store kale! There are two ways to do it. The most important thing is to preserve the nutritional value of kale, so you can feed your family healthy all the time. In this way, you ensure the duration of your new purchase and enjoy it for a long time. Don’t miss our tips so you can learn how to store kale in the freezer and more!
How to store kale in the refrigerator?
Refrigeration is one of the fastest and most effective methods of storing freshly purchased kale. If you have ever wondered how to store kale in the refrigerator, we will bring you the step by step. Take notes!
- Store the kale in a plastic bag. Ideally, the plastic bag has an airtight seal to prevent more air from coming out or getting in than necessary. If you bought a lot of kale, store it in different bags, so you don’t exceed the bag’s capacity. Otherwise, the leaves could be damaged or bruised.
- Cover with a paper towel. Once your kale is in the bag, use a clean, dry piece of paper to cover them inside the bag. As you close it, make sure you get as much air out as possible. This will prevent moisture from reaching the kale and damaging it sooner than expected.
- Refrigerate immediately: Store cabbage in the crisper drawer; you don’t need to insulate it because it is usually very resistant to flavors or odors. This process will keep your kale fresh for at least seven days. After this time, you can still use it, but the taste may have changed a bit.
- Rehydrate the kale: When you decide it’s time to use the kale, soak it for 10 minutes in a bowl of freshwater. This will restore its soft, pliable texture, as these vegetables tend to wilt quickly.
How to store kale in the freezer?
If what you want is a method to store your kale in the long term, we bring you the ideal step by step. This step also works if you want to know how to store kale chips because freezing prevents the degradation process entirely for at least a year. Take note of the step-by-step! And this method also work if you want to know how to store kale in the fridge!
- Wash the Kale: The first thing you should do is wash and rinse the cabbage by submerging it in a bowl of ice water. With the help of your fingertips, gently rub each leaf to clean and remove any impurities that may be present. If you want a deeper clean, you can mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 gallon of cold water and soak the cabbage for 30 minutes. This will kill any bacteria or germs you may have.
- Blanch and chill the kale: The blanching process will kill the enzymes that cause degradation. To do this, you must submerge the cabbage in a bowl of boiling water for five minutes. After this time, immediately take the cabbage to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Before the blanching process, carefully separate the stems from the cabbage, do not immerse them all together because they could be damaged.
- Dry with clean towels: To dry excess moisture, remove the cabbage from the water and place it on paper towels or napkins. You can also use a lettuce filter and turn it over until it stops dripping.
- Remove the stems: Using a sharp knife, cut the woody stems off all the cabbage leaves. The more stem you cut off, the better stored it will be. Now, place the cabbage on a clean tray and put it in the freezer for two hours.
- Store the cabbage in plastic bags: Since the cabbage will be more pliable, you can store them vertically in a plastic bag. This must have an airtight seal, and before sealing you must remove as much air as possible. We recommend separating the kale portions before freezing them completely so that when you’re going to use them you don’t have to thaw them all at once.