One of the easiest ways to freeze spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, or any kind of leafy green is to steam it, blend it, and freeze it in cubes. You can use the leafy green cubes in smoothies, soups, or stew.
Does spinach freeze well for smoothies?
Can You Freeze Spinach For Smoothies? Yes, absolutely. While freezing can cause a small loss of nutrients, the loss isn’t significant enough to worry about. Freezing spinach is a great way to have greens on hand any time you need them.
Can you put raw frozen spinach in a smoothie?
Freeze 4 to 6 hours, or until the spinach is in solid “pucks”. Store in a zip-top bag in the freezer. Add 1 smoothie puck to any smoothie for a boost of good-for-you greens with lots of absorbable calcium!
What happens if you freeze spinach without blanching?
If you plan to use the frozen spinach within a few weeks, there is no need to blanch it first. But unblanched spinach left in the freezer too long will turn brown because of enzyme actions which will change the texture, flavor, and coloring.
How long can you freeze spinach for smoothies?
Freeze: Freeze for up to 1 month. Smoothie-time: You can add frozen spinach to your smoothies with no need to thaw so enjoy spinach on demand even if it’s out of season or unavailable in the store.
Can I freeze raw spinach?
Can you freeze spinach? You definitely can, and the result serves fabulous flavor when you start with freshly picked leaves. You won’t be able to serve the thawed product in fresh salads, but frozen spinach is versatile in the kitchen.
Can you put frozen kale in a smoothie?
The kale can be used directly from the freezer for the smoothie – no need to thaw. You can also use it soups and other recipes straight from the freezer. … The texture of the kale, spinach, or greens changes once it is frozen and then thawed. Other than that it is good to go.
Is kale or spinach better for smoothies?
The Bottom Line. Kale and spinach are highly nutritious and and associated with several benefits. While kale offers more than twice the amount of vitamin C as spinach, spinach provides more folate and vitamins A and K.
Can you freeze kale?
You can freeze kale without blanching, but plan to use it within four to six weeks. … For frozen kale that lasts eight to 12 months, blanch leaves and stems. Blanch leaves for 2.5 minutes, covering the boiling water pot with a lid to steam-heat floating leaves. Blanch stems for 3 minutes.
Is frozen spinach as good as fresh?
One cup of frozen spinach has more than four times the amount of nutrients, such as fiber, folate, iron and calcium, than a cup of fresh spinach, so if you want to power up, do it with frozen spinach.
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Does blanching spinach remove nutrients?
Spinach is most nutrient-dense when you eat it raw, but it retains more vitamins with some cooking methods than with others. … For maximum vitamin retention, use quick-cooking methods that do not include water, such as sauteing, stir-frying or blanching, to reduce the amount of nutrients lost from cooking.
How do you thaw frozen spinach?
The best way to defrost frozen spinach is to warm it in the microwave for a few minutes or warm it over low heat on the stove in pot and strain excess water with a mesh sieve or colander. Depending on your grocery store’s freezer section, you can typically find frozen spinach either chopped or as whole leaf.