Parsnips are a root vegetable that people either like or hate. For those that enjoy eating parsnips, they will be rewarded with a lot of nutrition. Parsnips are very versatile and can be boiled, mashed, fried, or oven-roasted. If you bought parsnips, you’ll need to store them to keep them for later use. Can freezing parsnips be one of the methods for storage?
Can you freeze parsnips? Yes, you can freeze parsnips. To make sure they remain fresh in the freezer, you’ll need to blanch the vegetable first. This will help preserve the taste, texture, and nutrition of the parsnips while it’s frozen.
Does Parsnips Freeze Well?
Like other root vegetables such as jicama and beets, parsnips freeze well, but it has to be blanched first. Not blanching the parsnips first will cause them to become soft and mushy when it’s frozen.
To make sure parsnips freeze well and stay fresh for a long time in the freezer, always blanch them first and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
How To Freeze Parsnips?
Freezing parsnips is simple, but will require a bit of time prepping them first. You’ll want to blanch the parsnips first to ensure they will retain their texture and taste while frozen.
Below are the steps to freezing parsnips:
- Start by peeling the skin of the parsnips.
- Cut the vegetables into small pieces or your preferred size.
- Put water into a pot and turn the heat high.
- Once the water boil, place the parsnips into the pot.
- Blanch the vegetables for about 3 minutes.
- While it’s being cooked, prepare an ice bath. Simply fill cold water in a container halfway full and add ice to fill the container.
- After 3 minutes, drain the hot water from the pot and transfer the parsnips to the ice bath right away. The ice bath will stop the cooking process.
- Leave them in the ice bath for about 10 minutes.
- Then drain the water and place the parsnips into a colander and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- With a clean dry paper towel, dap the vegetable to remove any excess moisture from it.
- In a freezer bag or an airtight container, place the parsnips in there.
- If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air from it before sealing it.
- Seal the bag or container tight and label it with the freezing date.
- Place it into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Parsnips?
Parsnips is one of the vegetables that can last quite a long time in the freezer. This is only possible if it’s been prepped and properly stored.
If the parsnips have been blanched, it can last for up to 9 months in the freezer. Blanching helps preserve the flavor and texture of the parsnips when it’s frozen.
On the other hand, parsnips that are not blanched will last for no longer than a month. Freezing unblanched parsnips will cause ice crystals to damage the texture of the vegetable. This will result in a loss of texture and flavor when you thaw them.
How Do You Defrost Parsnips?
When it comes to defrosting parsnips, you have two options. This will depend on what you’ll be using them for.
If you don’t need to use parsnips right away, you can thaw them in the fridge. Simply remove the number of parsnips you need and place them into a bowl. Then put the bowl into the fridge and let it sit for a couple of hours to thaw. If you are not ready to use it yet, you can keep them refrigerated for another day before they go bad.
For making soups, stews, or any recipes that require cooking, there’s no need to defrost parsnips. Take the number of parsnips from the freezer and add it directly to the pan while it’s cooking. The heat will instantly melt the parsnips without needing to defrost them first.
Can You Refreeze Parsnips?
Refreezing parsnips is possible and can only be done under certain conditions. Refreezing parsnips should be done if the vegetable hasn’t fully thawed yet and it’s thawed in the fridge.
As the parsnips begin to thaw, some of the water will begin to leak from them. This will cause the parsnips to become soft and mushy. If you freeze it once more, you’ll end up with a vegetable that’s not firm and full of flavors like it should.
If you need to refreeze parsnips, make sure that it’s being thawed in the fridge. Never let it thaw at room temperature. Doing so will cause harmful bacteria to contaminate it. Bacteria grow rapidly once thawed, and refreezing parsnips again will cause the bacteria to freeze with it.
Therefore, to refreeze parsnips, make sure the vegetable is not completely thawed and that it’s being thawed in the fridge.
Other Questions about Parsnips
Can parsnips be frozen without blanching?
Yes, parsnips don’t need to be blanched before freezing them. However, the vegetable will lose its quality quickly in the freezer. For that reason, you’ll need to use them within 2 months for the best result.
Can you freeze parsnip soup?
Yes, you can freeze parsnip soup. Due to the amount of water content in soup, it will freeze very well. Wait for the soup to cool to room temperature and place it into an airtight container. Seal the lid tight to prevent any air from getting in. Label the container with the freezing date and place it into the freezer.
Parsnip soup stored in the freezer can be kept for up to 3 months.