Green onions are available all year, although they are particularly plentiful during the cooler months. That’s why green onions and scallions are great additions to soups and stews!
Green onions grow so quickly in the garden that you’ll have enough of them in just a few weeks. Is there a method to save extra green onions for later use, like, if you have too many? Is it possible to freeze green onions?
Spring onions have a rather limited shelf life. Green onions should keep in the refrigerator for about a week. At this time, your onions in the “vegetable crisper” are most likely no longer crisp. Instead, you’ll probably find mushy, slimy, and weak onions fading away in your refrigerator.
Instead of throwing away extra green onions, you may freeze them to increase their shelf life. Green onions may be stored in the freezer for up to a year!
In fact, any part of the onion, including the green stem, maybe frozen. However, the green stem might be touch-sensitive. This implies that, while frozen green onions can be stored, textural changes are unavoidable. After thawing, the scallions may become softer and less aromatic. Despite the textural changes, scallions can still be used in cooking.
But why do people freeze green onions in the first place? Gardeners have an abundance of these delectable tiny onions and will need to find a use for them before they go bad.
Another reason to freeze green onions is that you end up with much too many when you buy them. Anyone who has purchased a bushel of scallions will attest that they come in a quantity far too enormous to consume in a timely manner. Most persons, farmers, and buyers of green onions will end up giving away or discarding half of their crop.
Other reasons people freeze onions include stockpiling while the crop is still in season, keeping green onions for future use, and purchasing in bulk for special events. If you want to have a regular supply of green onions all year, freezing them is the best option.
Anyone would hate to squander their meals, and hence their money, for whatever reason. Freezing your onions is a totally reasonable alternative for preserving them so that you can make the most of them.
Some individuals may be hesitant to freeze green onions for fear of destroying the product. In reality, the only thing that will happen to the onion is that part of its crispness will be lost. As a result, you should only use frozen onions in meals that do not call for fresh, crisp onions.
The following is a step-by-step tutorial on how to freeze green onions:
How to Freeze Green Onions?
Please keep in mind that green onions are highly pungent. The scents are most likely caused by inadequately packed green onions. As a result, seal the green onions well before freezing.
Flash-Freezing Green Onions
Although green onions do not need to be blanched, flash freezing them will keep them fresher for longer. It’s also possible to freeze the bulb and stems together, although it’s ideal to do so separately.
Although flash freezing is an additional step, it improves the texture of the green onions after defrosting. To begin, prepare the veggies by washing the green onions to eliminate dirt and debris. The veggies should be fully dry before freezing, so pat them dry. After you’ve cut the green onions into appropriate bits, you’re ready to flash freeze them.
Place the chopped green onions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking tray in the freezer for one hour, or until firm. Remove the baking dish from the freezer once the green onions have frozen and divided the veggie into single-serving portions. Place the veggies in a snack-sized resealable plastic bag and freeze.
Read also: Can You Freeze Tomatoes? Now Answered
Freezing Fresh Green Onions
It’s alright if you don’t want to flash freeze the green onions. Simply wash the green onions and onion bulb well to remove any pieces of dirt that may have gotten lodged in the crevices. Then, using a paper towel, blot the green onions dry. To protect the integrity of the vegetable while freezing, the green onions should be as dry as possible. Leftover moisture will freeze into ice crystals, destroying the texture and taste of the green onions.
After the veggies have dried, take out your knife and cutting board and begin slicing the green onions into desirable bits. Spoon the green onions into a sturdy plastic container with an airtight cover or snack-size resealable plastic bags. To avoid bruising, do not overfill the container. Close the lid or seal the plastic bag, then use a marker to write the storage date.
Whatever method you use to freeze your onions, will be a wise decision. Just make sure you use a large enough container to avoid cramming the onions in too tightly. Remember that onions are quite pungent veggies. Their fragrance will discolor your freezer and everything around it. To avoid this, make sure the scallions are firmly packed. You may even bag it twice or three times. Keep the scallions separate from other dishes as much as possible.
How to Defrost Frozen Green Onions?
There is no need to defrost the green onions unless you did not divide them into single-serving amounts. Green onions will thaw while cooking. However, if you need to defrost frozen green onions, just shift the container from the freezer to the refrigerator. Allow the green onions to defrost overnight before using.
Read also: Can You Freeze Ginger? Now Answered
Summary
Stir-frys, sautéed meals, soups, and stews benefit from the taste and crunch of green onions. Now that you know how to freeze green onions, you can extend their shelf life for future use!
