Chive flowers are a popular garnish for salads, soups, and other dishes. They are also edible, adding a garlic onion flavor to any dish. Chive flowers can be used both fresh and frozen.
Fresh chive flowers are usually added to a dish just before serving, whereas frozen chive flowers can be added straight into a recipe as a garnish or flavoring.
In this article, we’ll discuss the various ways chive flowers can be frozen and their general culinary uses:
Chive Flowers
Chive flowers are edible flowers that can add a mild onion-like flavor to dishes. They grow from the chive plant, which belongs to the Allium family and is related to garlic, onions, and shallots.
The chive plant produces clusters of flowers on stems that can grow up to 1 foot tall and, when clustered together, form a stunning pink or purple hue. The flowers have a subtle yet distinctive aroma and are becoming increasingly popular with chefs who use them to present meals or as a garnish.
Chive flowers will keep their flavor longest if added just before serving. However, they can be frozen for future use in salads, sandwiches, and soups.
When separating the stalk from the flower head, ensure you preserve as many petals/florets as possible. Immediately cover with oil or liquid and freeze seasoned accordingly.
Fresh chive blossoms will last up to one week after being harvested. Still, they should be stored in very high-humidity areas like the refrigerator with prepared paper towels dampened lightly at least twice daily during storage.
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Different Types of Chive Flowers
Chive flowers come in various shapes and colors, ranging from the deep purple petals of the common chives to the delicate, saw-toothed garlic chives.
There are also more exotic varieties, such as Siberian Chives with star-shaped blooms and Chinese Chives with tiny golden blossoms. All chive flowers offer a mild flavor, but some varieties may have a slight oniony taste.
The bloom’s shape, size, and color will differ with each type of flower, but all varieties share one similarity – they are edible. Chive flowers add flavor to salads, dips, dressings, and vegetables.
They can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. The flavor is relatively mild, so it’s best to add them near the end or after cooking to preserve their flavor.
Chive flowers are also used for decoration, either fresh or dried. They look cheerful, scattered on roasted vegetables or salad greens, and can be used to brighten up creamy dishes like soups or cheese sauces.
Edible flowers make attractive garnishes for almost any meal – from appetizers to pizzas!
Can Chive Flowers Be Frozen?
Chive flowers can be frozen for future use in seasoning dishes, decorating plates, and dabbing onto cooked meats or fish fillets before serving as an artistic flourish!
To freeze them, you will need clean flower heads (snip off the green leaves) that have only been lightly washed (do not soak them).
Then arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure they are spread out flat with no pieces overlapping on top of one another – this way, they will freeze individually without sticking together when put into zip lock bags afterward.
Ensure they are well frozen before transferring them into airtight containers, which they should keep in the freezer for up to six months!
Benefits of Freezing Chive Flowers
Harvesting chive flowers can be a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals throughout the year. While using them fresh, freezing them can provide more convenience and ensure access to an abundant supply of chive flowers.
Freezing chive flowers also helps preserve their nutrients, making them an even better addition to your meals.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of freezing chive flowers:
Longer Shelf Life
An advantage of freezing chive flowers is that it extends their shelf life significantly. Fresh chive flowers can last for a few weeks if stored correctly, but freezing them can extend their lifespan to several months.
This will allow you to store large amounts of the herb and use it throughout the year.
When freezing chive flowers, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry before placing them in an airtight container or plastic bag for storage.
This will help prevent freezer burn and keep the flavor intact for extended periods. For added protection, adding a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap between individual servings can also create an extra barrier against air.
Freezing chive flowers is a great way to increase the shelf life while locking in flavor and nutrition when chopping fresh herbs isn’t an option.
The convenient storage option saves time while simultaneously providing superior-quality flavors during cooking!
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More accessible to Store and Transport
One of the most significant benefits of freezing chive flowers is the ease with which they can be stored and transported.
Unlike fresh chive flowers, which can quickly wilt and become less desirable due to their water content, frozen chive flowers last much longer without any degradation in quality. Freezing keeps the delicate blooms intact and usable for much more extended periods.
Chive flowers that are frozen will stay fresh as long as they are kept well-sealed in airtight containers. Besides allowing for extended storage periods, freezing also makes it easier to transport chive flowers from place to place without worrying about them going wrong.
Many stores that sell these delicate blooms only receive them in frozen form and keep them refrigerated until needed – this helps minimize spoilage and ensures customers have access to the freshest product available.
Frozen blooms also travel well since they don’t require special packaging or cooling; they can be moved long distances with relative ease due to their durability when frozen.
How to Freeze Chive Flowers
Freezing chive flowers allows you to add color and flavor to your dishes all year round. Whether you are using them for their slightly oniony flavor in an omelet or as an accent in a salad, freezing chive flowers is a simple way to keep them on hand.
Let’s look at the steps needed to freeze chive flowers properly:
Choose Fresh Flowers
When selecting chive flowers for freezing, choose young, fresh flower heads. Fresh chive flowers will taste better after being frozen than those older ones. The tiny white flowers with four petals should be picked before full blooming; at this stage, the flower stalks will be pretty short.
Flowers with rapidly wilting petals, brown spots, or a harsh smell should not be chosen as these can indicate age and reduce the quality of the product after freezing.
Blanch the Flowers
Before freezing chive flowers, it is best to blanch them in boiling water. Blanching will help to lock in the flavor and color.
To begin, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil on the stove. Drop the chive flowers into the boiling water and leave for 1-2 minutes.
Remove from the heat immediately and plunge the flowers into a bowl of cold water for another 1-2 minutes. This shock process helps maintain its freshness and vibrant color when frozen.
Once cooled, drain any excess liquid from the flowers before placing them into an airtight freezer bag or container for freezing.
It’s essential to store them at as close to zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17°C) as possible to maintain optimum quality over time. Make sure there’s no air left in your bag or container before sealing for freezing – this will help prevent freezer burn or changes in flavor over time.
You can use frozen raw chive flowers just as you would fresh!
Dry the Flowers
Once you have harvested the flowers, it is essential to dry them as soon as possible. This will help reduce bacterial growth during storage. You can dry the flowers on a paper towel and let them sit in a cool, dry area for several hours or overnight.
You may need to turn the paper towel occasionally to ensure all parts of the flowers are exposed to air.
Ensure no moisture is present on the flowers, as this can cause mold or rot. Once the chive flowers are dehydrated, you can begin freezing them for future use.
Package the Flowers
It is possible to freeze chive flowers, but they must be adequately prepped and packaged. This can help maintain their crisp texture and flavor and ensure they are safe to consume later.
Start by gathering the chive blossoms as soon as possible after picking them from the plant. Shake each flower gently to remove any dirt or debris from the blooms. Gently wash each one with cold water and place them on a clean kitchen towel for drying.
Once dry, separate stems that have multiple flowers attached. Place these stems in an airtight container lined with parchment paper or waxed paper at the bottom of the container. Please ensure the flowers are not touching; do not stack flowers on top of one another, or they won’t freeze effectively.
To freeze the chive flowers, follow these steps:
- Use a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag and label it with the contents and date of freezing.
- Push as much air out as possible before sealing.
- Place in the freezer for up to 6 months for optimal storage time.
Recipes Using Frozen Chive Flowers
Chive flowers are delicate, edible flowers that offer a mild onion, delicate, and sweet flavor. When frozen, the flavor becomes more subtle and is often used in various recipes.
This article will discuss ways to use frozen chive flowers in recipes. We’ll begin by looking at how to freeze the flowers and then discuss how to use them in different recipes:
Chive Flower Pesto
Chive flower pesto is a unique twist on the traditional classic combination of basil and pinenuts. The delicate beauty of chive flowers can easily be frozen, preserving their mild onion flavor to provide a delicious addition to pesto sauces.
This recipe will make ample pesto sauce that pairs well with pasta, meats, seafood dishes, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (about 6 ounces) of freshly picked chive flowers
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese
- Salt to taste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Thoroughly wash the chive flowers under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Place a single layer of chives onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and freeze for at least three hours until completely frozen.
- Once frozen, you can remove the chives from the cookie sheet and put them into an airtight container or zip-closure bag for storage for up to two months.
- To make the pesto put the frozen chive flowers into a food processor along with the remaining ingredients except for salt and pine nuts if using them; pulse until the mixture is pureed chiefly but still slightly textured for interest in each bite.
- Add salt and pine nuts if desired; pulse briefly until everything is blended nicely but not over-mashed/pulverized, as you don’t want it too finely blended like smooth butter consistency either!
- Stir in additional salt if desired, then serve immediately over cooked pasta while hot – store any leftovers in an airtight container within your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Chive Flower Salad
Chive flowers are edible and possess a mild onion-like flavor. They are often chopped and sprinkled on salads, pasta dishes, and roasted vegetables. Chive flower petals can also be frozen for future use.
Using the ingredient, a fresh chive flower salad is an easy recipe. The petals are detached from the bulbous base and added to a lettuce mix with cut tomatoes, cucumber slices, and other vegetables are desired.
To finish the dish, toss it with your favorite store-bought or homemade dressing – such as a balsamic vinaigrette – for optimum flavor!
Those who’d like to save some chive flower petals for later use can be frozen in airtight containers or bags without blanching or cooking beforehand.
With frozen chives flowers, you’ll still be able to enjoy the same classic flavors months later! For even more creativity in the kitchen, consider adding these summery petals to sauces such as salsa verde or pesto when ready to use them. Enjoy!
Chive Flower Soup
Chive flower soup is a delicious way to use the vibrant flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. This delicately flavored dish can be frozen to preserve the flavor and used throughout the year.
A simple chive flower soup can be made with frozen chives by combining the following:
- Two cups of frozen chive flowers;
- One cup of chicken or vegetable broth; and
- Two tablespoons of crème fraîche.
Heat the ingredients in a saucepan until cooked through. Remove from heat and then purée with an immersion blender or food processor until smooth.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then serve garnished with additional fresh or frozen chive flowers, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or freshly chopped herbs like Italian parsley or chives for a flavorful finishing touch. Enjoy!
