HOW TO KEEP CILANTRO FOR THE WINTER, THE BEST WAYS TO HARVEST CORIANDER

Cilantro is a herbaceous plant, as it is often called - coriander. In everyday life, we used to use it as a spice. The plant has many useful properties, so consider the various possibilities of its storage and use.

How to properly store cilantro seeds

By following simple rules, you can keep cilantro grains fresh for a long time.

Seeds should be collected when they are finally ripe, that is, at the end of August. Otherwise, even after drying, they will have an unpleasant pungent smell.
Choose a suitable dry and sunny day and tear off umbrellas with seeds. Dry them in a dry ventilated area, where the sun's rays do not fall.
Umbrellas fray in the hands, separating the seeds.
We pour the seeds into any suitable container - be it a canvas bag or a glass jar.
Store cilantro seeds in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place for no longer than four years.

How to dry cilantro

One way to keep the cilantro fresh for the winter is through regular drying. After drying, the aroma of cilantro dissipates a little, and therefore, in order to really properly dry cilantro, you need to create certain conditions.

Important! Cilantro can not be dried in the sun, as the sun's rays have a detrimental effect on all the nutrients that are in it.

Natural drying process

Drying in a natural way is one of the ways to preserve cilantro for the cold season and leave all the important vitamins in it.

For starters, cilantro should be rinsed well, so that there is no land and blade of grass on it.
We lay out paper towels or newspaper and lay out the plant. All water should be absorbed into them.
When the leaves are dry, cut them, but not very small, because during drying they dry out even more.
Put the sliced cilantro in the container, which you have prepared for its storage.
For further storage of cilantro for the winter we remove it to the balcony or to the kitchen. The main thing is to be dry and the sun does not fall.

How to dry the cilantro in the oven

The method of drying the cilantro in the oven is more expensive, but generally simple. The main thing is that with this method, the nutrients remain in the cilantro, if properly heat the oven.

As with the natural way, we have to rinse, dry and chop the cilantro.
We preheat the oven to 40-45 degrees, at higher temperatures, the nutrients will not be saved.
Put the sliced cilantro on a baking sheet and send it in the oven for 4-5 hours.
After that we get and check whether the grass is dried properly. It should be green and crumble in the hands, but not turn into dust. If all is well, then pour it into a bag or glass jar.

Harvesting cilantro does not necessarily have to be only for the winter. Under the right conditions, it can be stored for a whole year. Dried coriander is used as a seasoning for many dishes - meat, fish, soups, pies, sauces.

Did you know? Cilantro can be used not only as a seasoning, but also as a medicinal plant. It can prevent diabetes. This is an excellent remedy for eyes and skin, it has a lot of vitamin K and it has antibacterial properties.

Cilantro freezing methods, how to keep cilantro fresh

The low temperature helps not only to keep the cilantro fresh for a longer time, but also saves all the active substances and vitamins in its composition. Many gourmets want to eat greens all year round, and there will be actual information for them on how to keep the cilantro fresh for the winter, leave its nutrients and do it with minimal time.

How to freeze cilantro in a package

Prepare cilantro for the winter, you can use freezing. Freezing in a package is considered the easiest way, as it is fast and convenient.

Cilantro need to wash, remove all the bad twigs and shake off the water.
Put it on a towel for complete drying.
Preparing packages. It is possible to take both usual cellophane, and special hermetic.
Sprigs of cilantro can be folded both whole and cut. The second option is more convenient for further use.
Close the package and send it to the freezer. You must ensure that the rest of the workpiece is not crushed cilantro.

Important! Before you use coriander for medical purposes, be sure to coordinate the treatment with your doctor. Despite the many beneficial properties of cilantro, it still has some contraindications for eating.

Freeze cilantro in vegetable oil

There are a few more options for how to freeze cilantro for the winter. If the method of conventional freezing in the package is too simple for you, then you can freeze the coriander before processing it with vegetable oil.

Cut the cilantro in 3 cm pieces.
Fall asleep in a blender or food processor.
Pour vegetable oil in the calculation of 80 ml of oil per 50 g of chopped cilantro. Stir until the oil is green and cilantro is crushed to a puree.
Take the ice molds and place the slurry in them. Do not fill the molds completely, as during freezing the volume will increase.
Put the molds in the freezer on a flat surface so that they do not overturn. Give them a few hours to freeze.
Fold the frozen cubes in a special package for freezing.
Mark on the package the date of freezing and the name of the greenery inside.

Freeze cilantro in butter

Cilantro can be frozen not only in vegetable but also in butter.

Per 100 g of soft, but not melted butter, cut 1-3 tablespoons of cilantro and pour it into an empty and dry bowl.
Cut the butter at room temperature in small pieces and add to the cilantro.
Next, simply mix the oil with cilantro or, if desired, add a clove of garlic, salt and pepper, lime zest.
Mix everything quickly until the butter has melted.
Shift the resulting mass onto a sheet of parchment paper or wrap it in foil and put it in the fridge to harden it.
When the oil becomes solid, move it to the freezer, before folding it in a sealed bag and writing the date of the freeze.

This recipe for freezing cilantro for the winter with the addition of various ingredients is just one option. In a similar way, you can freeze cilantro with butter, adding any other spices you like.

Did you know? Coriander is a natural aphrodisiac that is used in India to increase libido.

How to pickle cilantro for the winter

Salted cilantro can be stored for 10 months, while maintaining its taste and all the vitamins. The recipe is quite simple:

Mine and dry the cilantro.
Take the usual salt at the rate of 250 g per 1 kg of grass.
Prepare jars and mix in salt and grass. Top sleep still salt.
We press down to the selection of juice, cover with lids and place in the refrigerator.
A day later, the greens in the bank will settle a little, and you can still add greens.

Salting is a good option for storing cilantro for a long time without worrying about spoiling it. With this method, the grass will retain a maximum of useful properties. However, when added to dishes it is important not to overdo it with salt.

How to keep cilantro in marinade

It is easy to make and cilantro in marinade. The plant must be washed and dried, finely chopped and put in glass jars. Next, pour the marinade and let it brew for some time. Top for long-term storage, you can pour a little vegetable oil. For the marinade will need 0.3 liters of water, 1 tbsp. spoon 9% vinegar and a pinch of salt.

This is only part of the recipes. By following them, you can indulge yourself with summer vitamin greens all year round.