Freezing and preserving herbs

thriftlady_2

I just resign myself to not using mint and other soft leaved summer herbs in the winter. I use a lot of rosemary, bay and dried thyme instead.

However, you can freeze them. One way is to chop them and put them in a plastic tub. I've done this with parsley and just scooped out a handful when I need it, crushed it and added it to my dish.

Another way is to freeze chopped herbs in ice cubes.

Lady_Aitch

Thanks thriftlady. I am off to the garden with my scissors, it seems such a shame to waste the mint etc

HariboJunkie

I sometimes freeze the herbs in bunches and pull off what I need but a better way is to whizz things like coriander, basil and mint with olive oil and then freeze in ice cubes to use as herb oil in lots of dishes. With parsley I just sow more now and they do ok through the winter. Oregano and thyme dry well enough not to need freezing.

Butterfly_Brain

I just put mine in freezer bags and freeze - have got lots of sage, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives and mint this year so I have loads to see me through the winter. and I managed to grow garlic this year from a bulb that was a bit papery. I just planted it in a bit of compost in a pot and I now have fresh garlic

northwest1965

I really didnt know where to post this so sorry if I'm in the wrong section.

I have loads of Rosemary & Sage.

Basically, should I dry it, or put it in the freezer. ?

vij

freeze the sage in single leaves on a baking tray then bag up. crush the bag in your hand as you take it out the freezer to use it for the easiest way of chopping the leaves ( and freeze it in usable quantities just in case you get a little drfrost and they stick together)

dry the rosemary

northwest1965

Thanks for that:beer:

Another question for anyone who knows.......when should I cut back my sage plant?

Pink.

Hi northwest,

There's an earlier thread on freezing and preserving herbs that may help so I've added your thread to it to keep the suggestions together.

Sage should be pruned after flowering when the flowers have died.

Pink

harvestmoon

I'm growing parsley(curly leaved) and thyme and have got MASSES of both!Wondering how to store - will it freeze? If so, any particular method? Or is there a better/more successsful way?
Any tried and tested advice would be much appreciated.

Pink.

Hi Harvestmoon,

Most herbs can be either frozen or dried. There's an earlier thread with lots of advice and tips on preserving them that should help so I'll add your thread to it to keep the suggestions together.

Pink