Preserving cilantro for the winter is practiced by many summer residents. This plant is valued for its beneficial properties on the body. It is used as a spicy seasoning for dishes. The second name for cilantro is coriander.
How to properly store cilantro seeds?
To keep plant seeds fresh for as long as possible, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- umbrellas with seeds are collected on a dry sunny day;
- washed seeds are dried in a dry place, inaccessible to sunlight;
- umbrellas are ground by hand, and the seeds are carefully separated;
- the seeds are poured into a special container; glass containers are best;
- Cilantro seeds are stored in a dry, well-ventilated place for no longer than 4 years.
Methods of preparing for the winter
There are several ways to preserve cilantro for use in the winter. It all depends on individual preferences.
Fresh coriander is not intended for long-term storage in the refrigerator.
Therefore, it will not be possible to use the plant all winter in its original form. But there are other ways to preserve not only the rich taste and aroma of greens, but also the beneficial substances in its composition.
Drying
This is one of the most popular methods. If you follow all the recommendations when drying coriander, then its crushed leaves will delight you with taste and aroma all winter. Dried cilantro is used as a seasoning for hot dishes and for preparing sauces for meat.
Let's consider the correct algorithm for drying cilantro:
- leaves and stems are torn off in dry, sunny weather;
- washed and cleaned of damaged parts;
- dry well.
Since cilantro has a pungent odor, it is best to chop it before drying. In this case the smell will become softer. Finely chopped greens are laid out on a clean baking sheet and placed in a dry, well-ventilated area. The sun's rays should not hit the greenery.
After the greens are ready, they are transferred to a glass container, which is tightly closed with a lid. You can also use ceramic dishes. Store greens in a cool, dry place, but not more than 1 year. At the same time, it retains its beneficial properties, taste and aroma.
In this form, cilantro is used as a seasoning when baking bread, and added to sauces and meat dishes.
Freezing
The question of whether it is possible to freeze cilantro for the winter interests many of its lovers. Frozen cilantro has a much shorter shelf life than dried cilantro. Nevertheless, this method allows you to preserve all the beneficial substances in its composition. In addition, this method of preparation leaves the aroma and taste in its original form. The easiest way is to freeze it in a bag.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- the greens are washed, damaged areas are removed;
- lay out on a towel or thick fabric until completely dry;
- bags are prepared (cellophane or sealed);
- It is better to cut the branches of the plant, this will simplify their further use;
- The greens are placed in a bag and sent to the freezer.
Pickling
Pickled cilantro also retains its taste and all its beneficial elements.
The recipe for making it is very simple:
- the greens are washed with cool water and dried;
- placed in a glass container and covered with salt (for 1 kg of grass - 250 g of salt);
- press the cilantro until juice forms, then close tightly with a lid and place in the refrigerator;
- After the contents in the jar have settled a little, you can add a little more greenery to it.
In this form, cilantro can be stored for up to 10 months. When adding pickled cilantro to dishes, it is important to reduce the amount of salt added to them, otherwise the food will turn out over-salted.
Canning
The preservation method is less popular than freezing or drying, however, it is no less interesting. To do this, take fresh cilantro, wash it and grind it in a blender with the addition of 2 cloves of garlic and 1 tbsp. l. olive oil.The resulting mixture is poured into glass jars and closed with plastic lids, after which they are stored in the refrigerator. This method of storing cilantro allows you to use it as a seasoning for meat. Pickled cilantro is also suitable as a seasoning for spaghetti and other dishes.
Preservation in marinade
Many cilantro lovers prefer to store it in a marinade. For this you will need:
- a pinch of salt;
- 300 ml water;
- 1 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar;
- vegetable oil.
The water is brought to a boil, after which salt and vinegar are added to it. Pre-washed and chopped greens are placed in glass jars. There is no need to compact it strongly. Then the cilantro is poured with the marinade, and after it has cooled a little, 1 tbsp is added to each jar. l. vegetable oil. The jars are closed with plastic lids and stored in the basement or refrigerator.
In oil
Many summer residents prefer to freeze cilantro, pre-treating it with vegetable oil. The greens are cut into small pieces (no more than 3 cm) and poured into a blender. Add vegetable oil in the proportions of 80 ml of oil per 50 g of greens. Everything is mixed until a green puree is formed. Next, fill the ice molds with the contents and place them in the freezer. After the contents are frozen, they are transferred to special freezing bags and stored for no more than 2 months.
Note! When placing forms with greens in the freezer, you need to make sure that they are on a flat surface. Otherwise, the contents of the molds will spill.
Freezing in butter
Another way to freeze cilantro. Only instead of vegetable oil they use butter.
Pour 3 tbsp into a dry bowl. l. cilantro, after which 100 g of chopped butter at room temperature is added (it should not be melted). The contents of the plate are mixed well; if desired, you can add garlic, pepper, salt and lemon juice. The resulting mixture is transferred to parchment paper and placed in the refrigerator until hardened. The contents are then transferred to the freezer for storage. To do this, it must be folded into a sealed bag.
Useful properties of cilantro in winter
Our ancestors also extracted a lot of beneficial properties from coriander. Eating cilantro in winter will increase the body's resistance to colds, strengthen the immune system, and improve the general condition of the body. But the beneficial properties of greens do not end there.
The value of cilantro is determined by the following factors:
- has an antiseptic effect, eliminates inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and bleeding gums;
- normalizes women's hormonal levels, alleviates pain during the menstrual period, improves reproductive function;
- reduces the level of glucose and bad cholesterol in the blood;
- remove excess fluid from the body, preventing swelling;
- improves the functioning of the nervous system;
- has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and liver.
Scientists have proven that regular consumption of cilantro improves immunity and has a healing and calming effect on the body.
