How to keep arugula for the winter

Arugula means a green plant with special taste. They are somewhat similar to the flavor of walnut and mustard combined. Often this greens is mixed into salads, and also consumed in an independent form and composition of drinks. Spice is valued for its chemical composition, which is why many experienced hostesses try to keep it for a long time. In order to enjoy arugula during the winter season, it is necessary to process it. Let's analyze the main aspects in the next order.

Arugula value

1. In common people it is called bitter grass, because the taste of arugula slightly bitter. Valuable qualities are considered in terms of input substances. The basis is minerals, vitamins, organic acids, dietary fiber, pectin, tannins and other no less valuable compounds. All of them are simply necessary for the human immune system.
2. If you systematically consume a plant, a person will be able to increase all metabolic processes in the body. Also, the composition of the blood will improve, its circulation will increase. The product carries out the prophylaxis of anemia and raises hemoglobin as it concentrates a lot of iron. When a plant is introduced into a basic diet, problems associated with the digestive tract will go away.
3. Of particular value, greens bring the human circulatory system, strengthening the blood channels, increasing the gaps in their cavity, preventing serious pathologies in the form of thrombophlebitis. As for the health benefits of people with diagnosed diabetes, they simply need this greenfinch, because it can reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood.
4. The low calorie content and the fact that the grass is a natural type of antioxidant, make many people enter it into diet food. The cavity of the internal organs and all systems are cleaned of toxic substances, slagging, poisons of any nature, radionuclides, etc. Due to the content of vitamin K, osteoporosis is prevented, wounds heal faster.

Storage Features

1. It is very convenient to harvest the plant for a long time, so that later you can use it in your culinary masterpieces. If the crop turned out to be extensive, then preparatory measures should be taken to preserve as many valuable compounds as possible in the composition of the raw materials.
2. If you are unable to cope with the consumption of a large amount of greenery, then do not let it rest. Immediately select the appropriate workpiece option and proceed.
3. In order to keep the grass in fresh form, you do not need to be very sophisticated. Collect filtered clean water in a container. Tie the vegetation in bunches, but not too tight. Dip into the liquid in the same way that the flowers in the vase stand. In this form, the bitter grass will stand for about 5 days, maybe even more. To extend the period, a basin with plants and water is placed directly in the refrigerator.
4. If you need to preserve the plant for a long time, then it makes sense to resort to freezing. No need to be upset, the low temperature regime will practically not affect the valuable composition of raw materials. You can send greens in a bag or chop, and then freeze.
5. Now about the expiration date. If we are talking about fresh greenfinch, then its shelf life is about 10 days. To achieve this, you need to remove the grass in a bag or place in a basin, and then cover with a film. You can use airtight containers or other containers. The main thing is to make sure that the greens are not weathered.
6. If you plan to pamper your household with fresh herbs year-round, then it makes no sense to keep the vegetation fresh in a basin with water or a refrigerator.Consider other, more practical methods of preservation. There are variations with salt, as well as drying or exposure to cold. In each case, the expiration date varies.

Storage methods

To date, not so many variations have been invented as to how to preserve vegetation in the winter. However, they are all effective in order not to lose most of the benefits. Choose one or more variations for yourself.

With salt

1. Many housewives are used to pickling tomatoes and cucumbers. It is worth noting that a similar procedure can be carried out even with arugula. Do not worry, the end result will make you very happy. Such a workpiece can be included in various salads and other light workpieces.
2. To do this, it is necessary to sort through the plant and choose exclusively green, intact and elastic leaves. Rinse the raw materials with cool water and remove excess moisture. Make sure that nothing is left on the leaves.
3. To eliminate excess moisture, it is enough to lay the product on a towel and leave for a while. As a result, water drains and evaporates. If the leaves are too large, chop them. Leave small copies unchanged.
4. Put the arugula in the jars. On 100 gr. raw materials account for 20 grams. salt. Pour the required amount. Shake the container to mix everything. Close the lid tightly.
5. The advantage of such storage is that the plant does not lose its taste and beneficial qualities. In addition to this arugula in this form can be stored up to 1 year. Jars with contents are recommended to be kept in a cool place.

Drying

1. Alternatively, you can use another no less popular way to store the greenery in question. In this case, it will be enough to dry the arugula. All moisture will evaporate from the leaves, and the shelf life of the raw materials will increase significantly.
2. It is worth noting the only negative. With such greens, you will not be able to cook a fresh salad. As an alternative, the raw materials will be used as a spice in the preparation of various dishes.
3. In this case, you should use exclusively whole and best leaves. After washing and drying, grind them as desired. You can leave it in its original form. Cover the baking sheet with parchment and lay the leaves on it.
4. Make sure that the leaves do not come into contact with the metal, otherwise oxidation will occur. Therefore, if necessary, grind the raw materials. You can dry the plant in a warm and dry room. It will take a whole day or two.

In the dryer

1. If you have an electric dryer, consider yourself very lucky. With its help it is possible to dry not only greens, but also vegetables, fruits. The advantage of this method is that the arugula is even more saturated with valuable enzymes.
2. Set the necessary parameters on the device. The whole process will take about 12 hours. You can chop greens or leave as is. Store in a dry sealed container.

Arugula is a very useful plant. It is worth noting that phytoncides are present in its composition, so some people may develop an allergic reaction to raw materials. Keep this in mind when including a product in your diet. Also, caution when taking arugula should be shown to individuals who suffer from gastritis with increased acidity of the stomach.

Video: what is arugula useful and what to cook from it