Compared to other kinds of vegetables, cabbage is considered to be one of the most popular overall. There are many different types of cabbage that can be cooked. The most popular types are green cabbage, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, and bok choy. However, while all of these types of cabbage can be cooked, the question remains: Can you freeze cooked cabbage? The answer to this question is a resounding “yes.” While you can store cooked cabbage in the refrigerator for some time, to truly prolong the life span of your cabbage, we recommend that you freeze the cooked cabbage. Freezing is the best way to preserve your cabbage for long-term future usage.
Uses of Cooked Cabbage
Cooked cabbage has a variety of uses that make it a very flexible and multi-faceted food option. It can be used in many different types of recipes especially for soups, stews, or to sautéed it in butter or olive oil. A personal favorite of mine is “stuffed” cabbage where you fill your cooked cabbage with rice, meat, or another filling. Red or green cabbage can be eaten raw but can also be used for stir-fry purposes. These two types of cabbage can also be used in soups or their leaves can be used to make cabbage rolls. The same can be said for Savoy cabbage when it comes to stir-fry and soups. Bok choy, the most unique type of cabbage, is often eaten after being steamed and can also be used for stir-fry and soup recipes. The multiple uses of cooked cabbage make it a popular snack, lunch or dinner option. Another advantage about these different types of cabbage is that they all can be frozen well if the necessary steps are taken. How you freeze the cooked cabbage will also depend on how you intend to use the cabbage afterwards.
The Freezing Process
During the freezing process, the texture of the cooked cabbage will not change or become malleable. It will instead stay intact and maintain its density while the flavor and taste of the cabbage will also remain the same. The maximum amount of time that you should leave the cooked cabbage in the freezer would be six months. Any longer period than that of continuous freezing may cause your cabbage to lose its taste, texture, and overall flavor.
For the best results with freezing cooked cabbage, please follow these recommended steps:
- If you have cooked the cabbage in boiling water, make sure to place the cabbage on paper towels to dry the food and let it cool off.
- Next, you will place the cabbage on a baking sheet spread out over a single layer. Put the baking sheet of cabbage in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes until the cabbage becomes hard in its’ texture. This is done to prevent the cabbage from being clumpy or uneven.
- After the 20 minutes, remove the cabbage on the baking sheet from the freezer.
- Then, place the individual servings of cabbage in separate freezer bags. Make sure to remove any excess air or space from the freezer bags before sealing them with the cabbage inside.
- After sealing the bags, label and mark the date on which the bags were first frozen.
- Make sure that the freezer bags contain single servings of cabbage. It is also possible to freeze the cabbage in a tightly sealed container in lieu of freezer bags for the same desired results.
Another way to freeze cooked cabbage that is less commonly used involves cutting and slicing the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. You can then add seasoning and sauté the cabbage before placing the small servings in the freezer. The difference in this method is that the cabbage will be ready to eat right after freezing and thawing it out because it’s already been prepared with the seasoning and sautéing. You can enjoy the cabbage after you freeze, thaw the product out. Heating the frozen cabbage in the microwave or oven directly after the freezing process is also an option.
The Thawing Process
When you decide to thaw the cabbage, take out the desired amount of cabbage from the freezer bags or from the containers and place the cabbage in the refrigerator until the item is completely thawed out. Then, remember to chop, sauté, and/or add the cooked cabbage to the recipe that you are preparing or using. After thawing, it would be advisable to take the cabbage out of the refrigerator and leave it on a counter in your kitchen so that it can cool off at room temperature for a few hours.
Conclusion
Both a tasty treat and a healthy dinner dish, cooked cabbage can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You’ll also never have to worry about the cabbage going bad or sour after freezing it for later usage. Bon Appetit and Enjoy!
References:
http://canyoufreeze.com/cooked-cabbage/
http://www.foodpyramid.com/can-you-freeze-cabbage/
http://www.pickyourown.org/cabbagefreezing.php
