Can You Freeze Fig Leaves? – Tips to Freeze Fig Leaves – Thawing Fig Leaves

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Can You Freeze Fig Leaves?: Fig leaves are big and green leaves with a nutty flavor. They are full of essential minerals, so you may incorporate them into your recipes frequently. However, if you are currently not in the mood of using leafy ingredients, then it is advised that you store them up properly before they go bad; especially perishable items like leaves tend to deteriorate fast. No worries, by the end of reading this article, you will know A to Z of storing fig leaves in the freezer for better shelf life.

Can You Freeze Fig Leaves

Can You Freeze Fig Leaves?

Undoubtedly, Yes. Although the process of freezing fig leaves is quite tedious, it is completely worth it as you can enjoy green leafy dishes all year. There are a lot many ways to freeze fig leaves, for instance, by blanching them or leaving them in a syrup that can be canned later. Lastly, you may also roll them up and place in an airtight freezer bag. You can opt for any of these methodologies based on your needs and portion requirements.

How Long Do Frozen Fig Leaves Last?

Below is the table depicting the shelf life of fig leaves when kept in different storage conditions. Have a look at the following table and understand how long does frozen fig leaves last and what can be done post this date to extend their shelf life.

Type of Fig Leaves At room temperature In the refrigerator In the freezer
Canned/ In syrup fig leaves 1-2 days Up to 10 days 4-6 months
Natural and raw fig leaves – 5-8 days Up to 6 months

‘-’ means that it is not meant to be stored there

How To Freeze Fig Leaves?

Freezing big and leafy green vegetables can look like a daunting challenge, more so in the case of actual leaves. Fortunately, freezing fig leaves is an extremely easy and rewarding task, given you do it the ‘right way’. No worries, by the end of this section, you will be equipped with all the information that you need to know before freezing your fig leaves like a pro.

  • Wash your bundle of fig leaves in cold running water and place fresh wax paper or parchment paper in a baking tray. Now, leave those wet leaves on the tray so that they dry up completely. ‘
  • If you are more inclined towards blanching your fig leaves, then you may have to first boil them in hot water for at least 3-4 minutes. Immediately after that, place them in ice-cold water so that they are blanched, but not cooked brown.
  • After drying them up as much as possible, divide them into manageable portions and put them in airtight freezer bags.
  • If you are storing fig leaves just for garnishing purposes, then you may also roll them up and then leave them inside the freezer.

Tips To Freeze Fig Leaves

Now that we have explored the ways to store your stack of fig leaves in the freezer, it is essential that we touch upon a few points that must be addressed while you freeze these leaves. Remember these tips when you are about to freeze your fig leaves-

  1. Dry the wet leaves as much as possible as even a small amount of leftover moisture may lead to excessive and early spoilage in them.
  2. Try to store them in useful proportions only as it will be pretty hard to refreeze the leftovers.
  3. If you have a space crunch in your freezer, which is perfectly normal, then you shouldn’t hesitate to roll up those leaves and then leave them in a stack in the freezer.
  4. While sealing fig leaves in airtight freezer bags, make sure that you have removed all the air from that bag. Any contact with the atmosphere, especially oxygen, can lead to the oxidation of leaves.
  5. Feel free to label these freezer bags with the day of packaging, so that you know when to use them. Don’t consider consuming leaves that have been frozen for more than 6 months as they would have gone bad by then.

Find Out:

Do Fig Leaves Freeze Well?

Practically speaking, No! Fig leaves aren’t particularly well at being frozen as they tend to harden up and lose their texture when frozen for a long time. However, if you are simply stocking on fig leaves because you wish to have a lot of smoothies and healthy drinks, then preserving texture must not be one of your worries. So, Go ahead and put those leaf bundles in your freezer.

Can You Refreeze Fig Leaves?

Absolutely Not !! Those stacked fig leaves in your freezer are already poised to lose their texture and essence over time. Taking them out, using them, and then trying to refreeze them will only exacerbate the damage. Therefore, it is better if you freeze them only in manageable proportions, so that you are left with no leftovers to refreeze.

How Can You Thaw Fig Leaves?

Froze your fig leaves smoothly and is now confused about unfreezing them? Well, thawing big leafy items isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. Any wrong step and you might end up wasting away all your hard work and money. Therefore, in this section, we will be telling you everything you should possibly know about unfreezing a bundle of freshly frozen fig leaves.

  • If you are looking to make a healthy smoothie or soup, then don’t bother thawing your leaves. Simply take them out of the freezer and crush them with a powerful blender. After all, using frozen fig leaves in your smoothies will only add a rich, creamy texture to them.
  • However, if you wish to make a scrumptious salad, then you may have to take some time out to gently soften up your fig leaves.
  • Just leave them in the refrigerator overnight if you are not in a hurry to use them. On the other hand, if it’s some emergency, then you may cook them gently in a preheated pan with some olive oil.
  • Placing them on the kitchen counter for just a couple of hours will also do the trick.

Wanna know about interesting updates on several fruits like dates do refer to the guide on Can you Freeze Dates and clear your doubts.

FAQs on Can You Freeze Fig Leaves

1. How do you preserve fig leaves?

If you wish to preserve fig leaves for a shorter period of time, then simply pack them in a paper towel and leave them in the refrigerator. Whereas, if you are looking for long-term solutions, then you should freeze them in airtight cans or freezer bags.

2. What can you do with fig leaves?

Fig leaves are big, green, and nutrient-rich leaves that can be easily incorporated into any of your beverages and salads. Green smoothies, colorful bobas, healthy soups, and gently sauteed salads, fig leaves can be used anywhere.

3. How long do fig leaves last?

Depending on the type of storage conditions, fig leaves can last up to 6 months in the freezer, given that you have packed them in airtight cans. However, if you have simply left them on the refrigerator shelf, then fig leaves will probably go bad in just 10 days.

Final Thoughts

We hope that this article helped you out with every aspect of storing fig leaves in the freezer. Right from washing them to blanching and packing them, freezing fig leaves for a complete season can get tricky. However, none can deny that it is completely worth it as these leaves are packed with all the fiber and nutrients that we need. For more such interesting articles about your favorite food items and beverages like Can you Freeze Cucamelons, keep scrolling.

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