Then, for sure, you grow on it a large number of vegetables and herbs. You can't eat everything at once, so why not keep the plant in refrigerator compartment for the winter? Dill is especially popular - a spicy herb, which they love to add to the first and second courses. Fresh dill does not lose its pronounced smell and taste, which cannot be said about dried herbs.

How to freeze dill in the freezer?

How to freeze dill in the freezer? In this article, we will discuss a few tips to help you keep everything beneficial features product and its aroma.

How to freeze dill - choose the bundles correctly

As you know, in the summer there is no shortage of greenery, it is sold everywhere and is very cheap. But in winter, the situation changes dramatically and the amount of greenery is sharply reduced, causing a rise in value. In addition, dill grown in the garden has many nutrients and vitamins that are not found in greenhouse plants. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to freeze a product, be sure to use it.

Before placing the dill in the freezer, you need to prepare it for this:

1. Choose suitable bundles... Some freeze only the upper part of the fragrant greens, breaking off the shelves and twigs, and some use all parts of the bunch for cooking. It all depends on taste preferences... But in any case, it should be healthy, juicy and freshly plucked bundles.
2. Dry the dill... In no case should you wet and wash the plant, otherwise it can lead to decay and the appearance of black spots on the plant. If the dill is very dirty, you can wash it just before cooking. If you bought an already wet bunch of dill, then you can spread it out on a dry towel and let it dry. Of course, during this time he will lose a little of his original appearance, but the smell can still be preserved.
3. Remove yellow leaves... If there are dry and yellowed leaves on the dill, they must be removed, leaving only bright greens.
4. Cut in small pieces. This step is optional, as some people prefer to use long sticks of dill. But if you are making blanks for decorating the first courses, then be sure to chop the plant finely.

What is the correct way to store dill?

For correct storage dill, different containers are used. If you don't want to store it in the freezer and you know you will be using it for a few weeks, then you can put the herbs in a glass jar and close the lid tightly. In this state, dill will not lose its properties after 7 days. It is not recommended to store it longer, as the plant will begin to wilt.

You can also use plastic bags or wrap to store dill in the refrigerator. The main rule is the absence of air, which must be removed as much as possible. As soon as you need dill, you can take it out of the refrigerator, wash it from dirt, dust and add it to your dish.

How to store dill in the freezer?

Many summer residents like to freeze dill, because only there it retains all its nutritional properties and bright green. Before going to the freezer, you need to divide the dill into small bunches, which you will take out and cut into small pieces. You can use plastic bowls as a container, but many housewives like to wrap greens with plastic wrap, making small sausages.

There is another modern and very convenient option - to use molds for freezing ice. This is practical, because in winter you will only need to take a frozen piece of ice with dill and throw it into borscht or soup. To freeze in this way, you need to finely chop the dill, fold it on the bottom of the ice molds and pour water to the edge. The molds are placed in the refrigerator until freezing. After that, they can be pulled out, freed from ready-made cubes with dill and then used for their intended purpose. The cubes are folded into a plastic bag and placed in the chamber. Well, if you failed to freeze the plant, you should not despair - you can always dry it.

Now you know how to freeze dill in freezer? We hope that our tips will help you preserve your harvest and enjoy its aroma and taste on cold winter evenings.

At the end of summer, when most of the crop has already been harvested and stored, remains in the beds spicy dill... With a little effort, this fragrant greens can be saved for the winter so that on cold days you do not feel a lack of vitamins and do not purchase a bunch of greenhouse dill in the supermarket, because the herbs grown on your own plot are both more aromatic and healthier.

The only difficulty in storing greens is quick loss moisture. Without use little tricks the delicate foliage of dill can only be used for a couple of days, after which it withers, loses its aroma and taste. How to prepare dill for the winter and preserve the aroma of this spice, indispensable in the kitchen.

How to keep fresh dill for the winter?

The main reason for the loss of juiciness is heat and exposure to light. If you put greens in a cool dark place, metabolic processes are inhibited in foliage, and dill can be stored much longer.

Therefore, the washed dill, peeled from yellowed leaves and tough stalks, can be stored in the refrigerator not for two or three days, but for up to three weeks. For this, greens are placed in bags or containers, tightly closed and left at a temperature of 2–6 ° C. If necessary, such dill prepared for the winter is used for cooking both hot dishes and vegetable salads, decorating game, fish, baked meat.

So that excess moisture does not form in the bag or container, and the condensate does not cause rotting of the dill, the greens are laid out on a napkin or paper towel before being placed in a container until the water drops are completely dry. Such dill can be stored both in the form of whole branches and in already cut form, however, in the latter case, the terms are reduced.

In addition to this method, there are others. You can keep the dill fresh for the winter by placing the stalks of herbs in a container with water, and covering the foliage with a plastic bag. To create constant moisture inside, the bag on a jar or glass is fixed with a thread or elastic band.

Bunches of fresh dill in the refrigerator can be stored in wrapping paper or in several layers paper towels... Clean foliage, along with the stalks, are dried and completely wrapped in a towel. In this form, in the vegetable compartment, the greens will not wither within 7-10 days; you can extend the shelf life by additionally placing the bundle in a bag or film.

Experienced housewives assure that dill preparations for the winter are better stored if the greens are not washed before being sent to the refrigerator. Indeed, this is how the natural protective layer is preserved on the foliage, but the advice can be used only if the dill is only cooled, its structure and appearance does not change during storage. Wash required amount product can be immediately before use, but initially spoiled and yellowed parts of the plant must be removed before storage.

If the dill is to be dried, frozen or otherwise processed, the greens must be washed and dried.

Longer use fresh dill A few pieces of onion, put together with herbs in a container or bag, will help. But no matter how fresh and juicy the dill is, it will not work to extend its life for the whole winter. As much as possible, the greens remain fresh only until mid-December. How to save dill for the winter in other ways?

How to dry dill for the winter?

Since the delicate feathery greens of dill quickly lose moisture, it will not be difficult to dry this crop for future use. Moreover, it is possible to dry the grass in several ways, and the dill harvested for the winter without loss of taste and aroma is stored in a tightly closed container for up to a year and can be used as an additive to hot dishes.

Exactly dried dill has the richest aroma and taste.

And you can dry the grass without resorting to any devices and heating. How to prepare dill for the winter, retaining the aroma spicy plant? Portion bunches of clean greens are hung out in a place protected from direct sunlight. Shredded greens are laid out on clean paper and left in the room or in the fresh air.

In both cases, it is important to protect the dill from insects, sun and wind. Before dill is dried, it is washed and sorted. Greens left on the table must be stirred up. Depending on the initial moisture content of the foliage, weather conditions and the layer of greenery, after 2-3 days the dill is completely dry and ready for storage.

The cold actively dehydrates the foliage. At the same time, it does not lose color, taste or smell. How to dry dill in the freezer? If the chopped dill is spread out in a thin layer on a pallet and sent to the freezer for 2-3 days, in winter the hostess will have a vitamin aromatic seasoning for any household delights.

Many housewives prefer to dry the dill in the oven. This is the most quick way but under the influence elevated temperature delicate foliage loses most essential oils, turns brown or yellow, which indicates tissue destruction and loss of beneficial properties.

When drying dill, it is more correct to use special dryers, where the process takes place at low temperatures ah and constant air movement.

How to freeze dill in the refrigerator for the winter?

One of the most common ways to keep greens fresh is by exposing them to low temperatures. You can freeze dill both in cut form and in the form of whole bunches. How to freeze dill in the refrigerator for the winter? The washed and sorted greens are dried, laid out in containers or bags and placed in the freezer.

Large containers should not be used as vegetables and herbs are not re-frozen and should be used as soon as possible.

Frozen dill foliage retains its properties, including taste and smell, for up to 6–8 months. And using this method, you can provide a vitamin supplement to dishes until the next summer season.

Small bundles can be wrapped in plastic wrap. Dill and regular foil preserves well.

Freezing chopped dill in ice cube trays is gaining popularity. How to keep dill for the winter in such an easy-to-use form?

• If the leaves are pre-chopped finely with a knife, then it will help to fasten the green mass in a small volume of the mold plain water, melted butter or vegetable oil... In this case, 2 parts of the herb and one part of the filler are used. After hardening, such cubes are transferred to a bag and stored at sub-zero temperatures for up to 4-6 months.
• If the herbs are crushed into a puree in a food processor or blender, it is not necessary to add water or oil due to the juice that appears. Green cubes are homogeneous, have bright taste and the rich aroma of fresh dill.

It is not necessary to make cubes from only one dill. To flavor broths, stews, sauces and other dishes, you can select compositions from your favorite herbs and spices.

For example, for mushroom soup a spicy-flavored mixture, in addition to dill, may include parsley, basil, and a little thyme. It is good to add a cube to borscht in winter not only with greens of dill prepared for the winter, but also with parsley, chopped and garlic.

How to keep dill salted for the winter?

To preserve the taste, color and smell of the herbs collected from the garden to the maximum, the greens are salted. The old way helps out today. Salted dill- this is wonderful dressing for all hot meals.

• Before preserving dill for the winter with table salt, select fresh young dill without hard petioles and shoots.
• The raw materials are washed, dried and placed in glass jars, sprinkling with salt layer by layer.
• The contents of the containers are sealed, and when the released juice covers the greens, they are closed with lids.
• The pickles are kept cold and used as needed to add flavor and aroma to soups and side dishes.

If desired, greens with salt are crushed and mixed in a blender before being placed in jars, after which the mass is laid out in clean jars.

Dill is an irreplaceable spice when housewives pickle cucumbers, tomatoes and mushrooms. But secondary greens are worthy of becoming an independent dish... To pickle dill, only juicy greens are selected without umbrellas and coarse stems. Vegetable raw materials are washed, placed in small jars and poured with hot marinade. After sterilization, the jars are closed and sent to a cool storage place. You can serve a snack with fried meat and game, mushrooms and other marinades. Such preparation of dill for the winter will add piquancy to vinaigrette, pickle, bean and potato dishes.

Harvesting dill for the winter - video

Young dill is now in its very juice: it's time to think about harvesting for the winter - and freeze it! There is different ways harvesting: drying, canning, but freezing is the most reliable way preserve beneficial properties, vitamins and minerals. But here, too, there are some nuances: on how well the greens are prepared, its taste and useful qualities... Therefore, I want to tell you a proven method of how to quickly, simply and practically prepare dill: and at the same time keep it as healthy and tasty as possible. Join us!

Ingredients:

• dill greens;
• plastic cups, molds for freezing.

How to freeze dill for the winter. Step by step recipe

1. For freezing, it is best to take young dill: until the moment it releases its umbrella and blooms. In this form, it is softer and tastier.
2. Soak the greens in cool water and leave to lie down for 15-20 minutes.
3. After rinsing, we remove possible impurities of other plants, sticks and so on.
4. Lay out on a towel and dry slightly.
5. Before chopping in a blender, chop up bunches of dill 2-3 centimeters long and put in a bowl for whipping. This is so that during whipping, it is evenly chopped.
6. Beat with a blender until fine crumbs. But do not overdo it so that the greens do not let the juice go, and you do not get gruel.
7. As molds for freezing, you can use plastic cups, yogurt molds, or make mini cubes in ice molds.
8. We tamp the chopped dill tightly into prepared molds, cover each mold with a small piece cling film and send it to the freezer for a day.
9. Tip: if you have a freezer that maintains a temperature of 18 degrees, then it is better to use it for freezing. Since with a quick, shock freezing, more is saved useful vitamins and trace elements.
10. We try to quickly remove the frozen greens from the molds (it is convenient to do this by pressing on the bottom of the molds), we pack 3-5 such blanks in plastic bags and send them back to the freezer. Try to prevent the dill from starting to defrost during this time, since the properties of all products are lost during the defrosting and re-freezing process. It is best to initially take out molds with herbs in small batches to avoid defrosting.

1. Frozen dill can be stored for up to 1 year (until the new harvest) in a tightly closed plastic containers or a plastic bag so that it does not wind in the freezer.
2. It is best to store it packaged in small portions, so that when you take it out of the freezer, you do not expose the whole mass to excess contact with warm air.
3. Use frozen greens without prior thawing.

In winter, it is very convenient to use frozen dill in this form: after all, you can throw one such bar (or half of it) into the soup without getting your hands dirty. And the taste and aroma will be as if you were using fresh herbs picked from the garden. In addition, such small crumb dill. Join us, follow our recipes - and don't miss the season of harvesting greens, vegetables and fruits for the winter. Bon Appetit!

On one of my husband's birthdays, and he was born in January, I was struck by the price of a bunch of dill. It is a pity to give such money in the winter, for what in the summer at the dacha - a cart and a small cart. I propose to figure out together how to prepare greens in the summer in order to save money in the winter.

Timing and 3 ways to store fresh dill

I have long solved the riddle of how to prepare dill for the winter, keeping it fresh long time... On average, well-prepared greens can be stored for 3-4 weeks at a temperature of + 1… + 6 ° C, as in a refrigerator.

Image	Dill storage
	Method 1. Plastic bags Rinse and clean fresh dill from stalks and old leaves. Leave the grass on the paper for about half an hour before laying it to get rid of excess moisture and condensation. Place the greens in small bundles in bags and close tightly. Containers with tight-fitting lids can be used as containers.
	Method 2. Paper towels Wrap the dill and roots in 2 layers of paper towels, 5-7 twigs each. For reliability, wrap the bundles with cling film or pack in a plastic bag.
	Method 3. Natural environment You can keep the dill fresh by placing its stalks in a jar of water. Place a thin bag over the foliage. At the point of contact between the container and the bag, secure the structure with an elastic band.

Winter blanks

As we found out, greens are stored for no more than a month. However, nobody canceled New Year's salads... To decorate them, you need to be able to make preparations for the winter from greenery.

I must say right away that there are several options - salting, drying, freezing and pickling. Before you get acquainted with each of them, I will voice general recommendations:

1. Pre-wash and clean the greens from roots and sluggish leaves.
2. Slice the product.
3. Leave the blanks on the paper to get rid of excess moisture.
4. Prepare in advance the storage location and all the necessary appliances that are required for harvesting dill for the winter.

How to dry dill - 3 ways

If you ask me how to dry dill at home, my answer is as easy as shelling pears. Since greens easily lose moisture, they simply do not have time to wither.

There are three main methods of drying known among the people:

Image	Drying instruction
	Method 1. In bundles Remove the roots and collect small bunches of grass. Tie them at the base with a tight thread. Hang down foliage until completely dry at room temperature. Protect foliage from sunlight, insects, wind and odors while drying.
	Method 2. On paper Lay out the prepared herb on paper. Leave to dry completely at room temperature. Do not forget to stir the workpiece every day - this way, the product will dry evenly.
	Method 3.Using technology Put the prepared greens on a pallet in a thin layer and send them to the oven or electric dryer. Each dill dryer will choose the time and temperature itself, but keep the herbs in the oven at a low temperature for 5-6 hours. Let the workpiece cool down.

How to freeze dill - 3 ways

I learned how to freeze dill for the winter from my grandmother. This process is no more difficult than drying.

The advantage of freezing is that finished products can be used in the same way as fresh:

Image	Freezing instructions
	Method 1. In bundles Divide the prepared product into small piles. Wrap them in plastic wrap. Foil can be used as a wrapper. Arrange in the freezer in the vegetable drawer.
	Method 2. Cut Pack the finely chopped product in airtight bags. Place all herbs in the freezer.
	Method 3. In ice cube trays Finely chopped grass in equal shares place in ice cube trays. Pour greens with water or melted butter in a ratio of 2: 1 (spice-liquid). Freeze for 24 hours. Put the product prepared for the winter in bags and store at a low temperature.

How to pickle dill - grandma's recipe

I really love to cook, so I've tried hundreds different recipes, including for creating a marinade. However, the most delicious was my grandmother's pickled dill.

Secrets delicious recipe I will share with you. You will need:

Image	Ingredient
	Dill: 300-500 gr.
	Lemon acid: 20-25 gr.
	Garlic: 2-3 slices
	Bay leaf: 2-3 pcs.
	Sugar: ½ teaspoon
	Salt: tea spoon
	Sunflower refined oil : 250 ml.

Cooking instructions:

1. Remove excess moisture from the prepared greens with paper or a towel.
2. Peel the garlic and cut each wedge into 4 pieces.
3. In a deep skillet, combine citric acid, butter, sugar, salt, garlic, bay leaf.
4. Boil the mixture for 7-8 minutes, then cool it.
5. Put the dill in pre-disinfected jars and fill it with hot marinade.
6. Sterilize the jars for 5–7 minutes in a deep bowl of boiling water.
7. Get out and roll up the cans.
8. Cool the workpieces.

How to pickle dill - an old recipe

As soon as salt appeared in Russia, people learned to use it in all their dishes. Also, from the shadow of the centuries, a recipe has come down to us on how to pickle dill for the winter.

Ingredients:

1. Dill: 300-500 gr.
2. Salt: glass.

Cooking instructions:

1. Lay dill and salt in layers of disinfected jars, alternating between them.

The grass should be separated by 1–2 tablespoons of salt.

1. Compress the contents until the greens give juice.
2. Screw the lids on the jars and store in a cool place.

Summary

For those who are especially curious, I present a video in this article - about the beneficial properties of greens.

Dill is one of the most popular with us spicy herbs, which is very convenient to store for future use. In the cold season, dill will replenish the diet with vitamins, will allow you to enjoy fresh and aromatic food even with a limited set of vegetables. And the most qualitative way of harvesting is to freeze dill for the winter. Distinctive feature dill - full preservation of aroma and even texture when frozen. Frozen dill is no different from fresh dill, and even useful composition is lost only to a small extent. If, during drying, the aroma of dill hopelessly changes, then freezing it retains it completely. And your favorite soups, salads, hot dishes or snacks, even on the coldest day, will delight you with a bright summer character.

Preparing dill for freezing

For freezing any product, including herbs, you should choose high-quality greens. Young dill, fresh, freshly harvested from the garden and not wilted, will allow you to achieve a truly complete preservation of its characteristics. Never use overripe dill that has begun to wither, or greens plucked from bushes after flowering. If you grow your own dill, harvest it during the morning or at noon.

Otherwise, preparing dill for freezing is very simple:

1. Go through the greens and remove the roots, cut off the coarse stems, leaving only young leaves and twigs.
2. Rinse the dill thoroughly, let the water drain.
3. Spread the herbs on towels and dry them slightly (but don't let them fade).

Methods for freezing dill

Freezing dill for the winter is easy, the main thing is to properly prepare the greens and choose the best freezing method for you. The best ones can be called freezing whole dill in the form of bunches and freezing it in the form of ice (for example, in cubes): these are the methods that will allow you to preserve both nutrients and color with aroma.

Freezing whole dill

This method of freezing allows the most complete preservation of the smell and taste of greens, the most "reliable" and productive. Dill, frozen in bunches, is chopped in the same way as fresh herbs.

In order to prepare dill for the winter in this way, you must:

1. Prepare the dill and arrange it in small bunches, just enough to be used one or more times. The smaller the tufts, the easier it will be to separate and use the dill. If you do not have time, freeze the dill in large bunches: it will break more, but it will still separate well.
2. Cover the compartment for quick freeze cling film or wrap a large board, plate, pallet with it. Spread out the bunches of dill on the base and place in the freezer.
3. After freezing, fold the dill into separate bags or wrap it in plastic (you can transfer it to a container, layering with culinary parchment).
4. Close containers and bags tightly and place in storage compartment.

Features of use: it is easy to separate a few branches from frozen dill or cut a piece from the whole bunch for use and slicing.

On a note: dill can be frozen not separately, but immediately in bags or containers, where the bundles need to be stacked more tightly. This will preserve the aroma even more strongly.

Freezing chopped dill

The main advantages of this method relate to the subsequent use of greens. Pre-chopped dill does not need to be chopped, it is ready to be added to any dish. But with this method of freezing, much more nutrients are lost, and the dill itself becomes less tasty and only partially retains its aroma.

The freezing technique is a little more complicated:

1. Prepared dill is finely chopped or chopped in a blender (not until gruel).
2. A portion of dill, sufficient for 2-5 times of use, is poured into a strip on a piece of cling film, then the "sausage" is tightly wrapped in several layers of film, creating a briquette.
3. The finished dill briquettes are placed in the freezer in the quick freeze mode.
4. After freezing, the greens are transferred to paper bag, box or container and sent for storage to other sections of the refrigerator.

On a note: dill can not be wrapped in film, but poured into a container or use plastic bags for freezing (small size), tightly tamping chopped greens into them.

Features of use: chopped dill is already ready for consumption and culinary experiments. It is enough to cut off a piece of briquette and add the dill to the dish.

Freezing ice with dill

This method perfectly preserves the color and aroma of dill, allows you not to lose a drop of essential oils and juice. And storage of ice with greens does not require much space. But the process of freezing dill using this method will take more time.

The technology for freezing ice cubes with dill is very simple:

1. Prepare your herbs by skipping the drying step.
2. Chop the dill finely or use a blender to chop.
3. Divide the moist greens into the ice-freezer tins.
4. Fill the molds drinking water to the brim.
5. Freeze the ice.
6. Remove the dill ice from the molds and place in a tight bag or storage container.

Use dill ice cubes in the same way as chopped dill.

Storage rules

For the best preservation of frozen dill, you need to remember a few simple rules:

• never leave greens unpacked;
• do not store dill in the quick-freezer compartment;
• to preserve the aroma and taste, use hermetically sealed containers or plastic bags, film, be sure to wrap the greens in several layers (optimally, in 3 layers or bags);
• wrap the dill in cooking parchment for layering or portioning.

How to use frozen dill

Never defrost dill that has been frozen for the winter. Greens must be obtained from freezer just before adding to the dish and use without defrosting. During the thawing process, you will lose most of the aromas, and the frozen greens will not affect the taste, temperature and consistency of food. Dill thaws literally in seconds, there is not a lot of water in it (only ice with dill will increase the amount of liquid in the dish and take longer to cook).

Dill frozen for the winter is similar to fresh dill in everything. It can be used for decoration too ready meals, and in the process of preparing hot and cold appetizers, salads and side dishes, hot dishes of meat, fish and seafood, soups and borscht, as well as in smoothies, juices and vegetable cocktails.