How to save basil for the winter: 6 ways

Aromatic spicy herbs are an excellent complement to the culinary masterpieces of any housewife. Basil refers to spices that are widely used in the kitchen of modern people. The grass has not only a pleasant taste and aroma, but also has many useful qualities. The essential oils and trace elements that are part of the beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach. The bactericidal properties of the product help get rid of viral infections, including colds. They use basil in fresh, dried and frozen form as a seasoning for dishes. To preserve a healthy spice for the winter, without losing its beneficial properties, you need to know some rules for harvesting.

Useful properties and contraindications

The regular use of spices can have a beneficial effect on the human body. The plant slows down premature aging of tissues, strengthens the immune system, helps to normalize sugar levels in diabetes. Cooked gruel from basil leaves helps with skin diseases, relieves irritation and swelling.

Medicinal infusions are prepared from seeds and dried leaves, which help even with oncological diseases. Experts recommend the use of basil for people suffering from heart disease. Due to the content of certain components, grass can help get rid of kidney stones. Spice has an analgesic effect. With the help of grass, you can relieve headache or toothache.

But, despite all the advantages of this type of useful plant, it is necessary to note some contraindications. It is not recommended to use basil:

1. People with serious heart conditions.
2. Women in position.
3. The period of treatment with preparations based on basil should not exceed a certain period, otherwise the opposite effect on the body will go.

In any case, before you start to use funds from basil for medicinal purposes, you should consult a doctor.

Harvesting Methods

Drying
This is a long term storage method. Spice can not lose its qualities until two years. The only drawback is the partial loss of aroma. For drying, it is better to choose varieties with purple leaves - they retain their smell better.

Drying basil is recommended in the spring, before the plant begins to bloom. During this period, the leaves exude a strong spicy smell, the stems are young and unrooted. After collecting the plants should be washed in water, remove weeds and debris. Separate the leaves from the shoot and chop finely. Whole leaves can also be dried. It is recommended that you prepare a suitable place in advance. It should be warm, well ventilated and not let in sunlight. A barn or pantry is perfect.

Lay out cut grass on a special tray or paper. Try to tidy up the green mass regularly. After the basil has dried, it must be collected put in bags of dense material or a special container with a lid. Keep the spice in a dry, dark place. Ready seasoning crumbles easily when rubbing between the fingers. So it can be checked for readiness after drying.

Freezing

After cutting from the garden, it is best to soak the grass in cool water with the addition of salt for about half an hour.After that, rinse the greens well with running water. The basil branches need to be laid out briefly on paper towels so that it dries. Then, separate the leaves from the stems and place them in plastic bags or bags. Let the air out of the bags and tie it well. Cooked bags are placed in the freezer. In this form, you can store valuable seasoning until a new crop. If you want, then basil greens can be finely chopped before freezing.

Blanched freeze
A common problem associated with freezing is the loss of a beautiful plant color. If you want basil to be preserved not only as a useful and valuable product, but also to have an attractive appearance, then it must be treated with boiling water before freezing. Spice blanches for a short time - just a second 3. Long-term thermal exposure is not recommended, otherwise not only color will be lost, but all useful substances will disappear. Enough grass just pour over boiling water and dry. Only then put in bags and in the freezer.

Pickling
When preparing basil in this way, thermal effect is not required, which will positively affect the nutritional value of the product. First you should prepare a container where greens will fit. Small glass jars that are pre-washed and sterilized are suitable. 400 grams of basil herb will require about 200 grams of salt. Leaves of spicy herbs are laid in layers on the bottom. Each layer is sprinkled with salt. After filling the cans, the container is sealed with a lid and sent to a cool place.

Cooking pasta

This method of long-term storage is quite interesting. You need to take basil leaves, rinse well and remove weeds. One sprig of the plant will require approximately 50 grams of olive oil and a little (to taste) salt. All ingredients are placed in a blender or a special mortar for grinding. It turns fragrant paste of dark green color. For storage, paste should be laid out in banks and rolled up. An original way of storage is to put the mass into molds and freeze it. Such a product can always be added to any dish, especially in the winter. Any food will become much tastier and healthier.

Canning
To get a tasty and healthy seasoning for the winter, you can preserve basil herb. To do this, cut branches need to be sorted out, rinse well and scald with boiling water. After that, the greens are crushed using a meat grinder or a blender. The resulting mass must be heated on fire, add salt, sugar and vinegar. The mixture is decomposed into the prepared glass jars and sterilized. The process can be performed in the oven. Then it should be rolled up and put away in a cool place. The value of minerals and vitamins is of great importance in canning. Therefore, the product should not be subjected to heat treatment for a long time.

Wonderful aromatic spice is widely used not only for cooking. Due to the content of useful trace elements and vitamins, spicy herb is actively used in folk medicine. So, if you provide your family with this amazing herb for the winter, then get rid of many health problems.

Video: harvesting basil for the winter