Punkinelly Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 What is the best way to preserve chives? I just got our first harvest and I want to preserve them. I don't want them to get brown. I do have a dehydrator. Does that work and still keep them green? Thanks for any help you can offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I don't have a dehydrator so I've never tried it. I usually just chop them up and freeze them. Seems to work well. They're not quite as green as they would be if they were fresh, of course, but they still add flavor and look nice. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philothea Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 We were serious chive people growing up. Dad tried to preserve them in various ways, he found that freezing them when fresh and green brought out a better flavor. He would just cut them up so they were ready to use and put them in a container in the freezer. They do last quite a long time in the freezer. Recently, I read that putting them into kind of an ice cube might be better for protecting them against freezer burn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelroper Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I freeze. I throw a bunch in a canning jar, pull out what I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea 4 Three Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I have read that you chop them up and put them in ice cube trays and fill with water. When the ice is frozen, you put the cubes in a freezer bag. To use, thaw the ice and drain. Disclaimer...I haven't tried it yet.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montana Peach Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I tend to freeze chives too. For herbs in general, I simply put then on a colander to let air circulate and set them on a shelf in the kitchen for a few days. This is the method we use at the herbalist's practice I worked with for years too. Heat, such as oven or dehydrator, can cause some loss of flavor, color and potency she said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaid Dad Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Recently, I read that putting them into kind of an ice cube might be better for protecting them against freezer burn. This is what we do. Works like a charm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Recently, I read that putting them into kind of an ice cube might be better for protecting them against freezer burn. Yes, I recall reading this in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. I *think* (I'd have to go look to be sure) they recommended boiling them in a little water for a short bit, allowing to cool, freezing in an ice cube tray, taking the ice out and putting them in freezer bags to store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelroper Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Yes, I recall reading this in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. I *think* (I'd have to go look to be sure) they recommended boiling them in a little water for a short bit, allowing to cool, freezing in an ice cube tray, taking the ice out and putting them in freezer bags to store. blanching??? boil maybe 1 min then throw in ice water then freeze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 blanching??? boil maybe 1 min then throw in ice water then freeze? There ya go! That's the word I couldn't pull out of my brain earlier today. Phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelroper Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 There ya go! That's the word I couldn't pull out of my brain earlier today. Phew! It took me a moment--parboil was in the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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