The mushroom season begins and we head into the forest! So that collectors can enjoy their harvest all year round, it is possible to freeze mushrooms.
At this moment, a variety of mushrooms emerge from the forest floor at full speed. The warm but rainy climate allows the mushrooms to enter the peak season (September to October) early. When collecting mushrooms in the forest, certain points must be taken into account. Of course, poisonous mushrooms should be avoided at all costs. But when processing and cleaning mushrooms, chanterelles, etc., it is also necessary to follow some tricks to preserve their flavor.
How do you freeze mushrooms correctly?
Even if you’ve collected too many mushrooms, there are a few things to consider when freezing these delights. In fact, the different types of mushrooms are very demanding and even require individual treatment. However, there are some tips from mushroom experts that are generally valid.
Tip 1: Freeze whole mushrooms
If you want to avoid a bitter taste when defrosting, it is best to freeze the mushrooms whole. This is especially true of small mushrooms. It is best to cut larger mushrooms into small pieces.
Tip 2: Cut the mushrooms into small pieces.
If you can’t help it and have to use a knife, it should definitely be the sharpest knife in the kitchen. Sometimes this may be necessary, since mushrooms should always be frozen in small portions. Therefore, it is obviously more practical to cut them into small pieces. They also freeze and thaw faster.
Tip 3: Freeze raw mushrooms
Champignons and oyster mushrooms are among the types of mushrooms that can be frozen both raw and cooked. Even if you need to freeze them raw, some precautions should be taken. In fact, you should definitely clean them carefully before freezing them.
Tip 4: Freeze after blanching
Chanterelles should only be frozen when they are cooked so that they do not taste bitter afterwards. This tip is especially useful for chanterelles. To avoid this, blanch them in boiling water with a little lemon juice for a minute before freezing them. Once they have cooled, you can cut them into small pieces. Because after defrosting them they tend to be soft and difficult to cut.
Tip 5: Defrost the mushrooms well
To defrost mushrooms, under no circumstances should they be slowly warmed to room temperature. Mushrooms that are still frozen should be processed immediately and placed directly into the pot or pan. It is essential to brown them over high heat. This causes the pores to close and the ice water to evaporate. Additionally, all preparation steps should be done before freezing so that the mushrooms are exposed to heat as quickly as possible. You can also microwave the mushrooms to at least 70 degrees.