If you love artichoke, but you don’t want to have to run to the grocery store to buy some every week, you may wonder if there’s a way you could have fresh artichoke hearts all year round. There is a way: freezing them. It’s really simple to freeze artichoke hearts and use them over a few months.
Can you freeze artichoke hearts? Of course! You can safely freeze and consume artichoke hearts for over 7 months. Raw artichokes become brown after thawing. So the good idea is to blanch your artichoke hearts before popping them into the freezer. This locks in their nutrients and flavor.
You can consume artichoke hearts even beyond 7 months if kept at a constant freezing point. Artichoke hearts freeze well and can even be refrozen after thawing. So they can even be reused over time. Let’s see how!
Do Artichoke Hearts Freeze Well?
Artichoke hearts, for the most part, freeze pretty well. But, they are a bit mushy after thawing. So, it’s good to freeze artichokes if you plan to use them in recipes as purees or dips.
Blanched artichokes retain their texture and flavor after defrosting. For better flavor retention, freeze marinated artichokes. The longer you store them, the less firm they become. Their nutritional value is also reduced.
Moisture also reduces the shelf life of frozen artichokes. And so, water-packed or canned artichoke hearts have a blander taste and are less firm.
How To Freeze Artichoke Hearts
Most people blanch or marinate artichoke hearts before freezing them. Raw artichokes turn brown in the freezer and lose nutrition and color. Make sure to choose fresh, green artichokes before freezing them. They must have a proper firm shape and texture with tight leaves. Now, you can follow the freezing process:
Step 1: Prepare the Artichoke
Assuming you have fresh store-bought artichokes, you need to prepare them first. Pluck out their leaves and scoop out the choke from the center. You are finally left with the yummy artichoke heart.
Step 2: Rinse and Drain
Wash the artichokes well under running water. Soak them for a while and drain out all the excess water once done.
Step 3: Blanch The Artichoke Hearts
To blanch the artichoke hearts, prepare a blanching mix with some water and the juice of half a lemon. Once the water is hot, drop the hearts in for a few minutes to blanch them. Medium artichokes need 5 minutes and small ones, 3 minutes. For larger artichokes, cut off the stems and trim 1 inch off the top.
Step 4: Cool
Take out the blanched artichokes and quickly put them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Dry them using a towel.
Step 5: Flash Freeze
First, flash freeze the artichoke hearts. Do this by placing them on a baking tray and into the freezer for around 2 hours.
Step 6: Freeze
Now, place the frozen pieces into separate containers or freezer bags. You can take out as many as you need from these bags in the freezer to use.
How Long Can You Freeze Artichoke Hearts?
You can freeze artichoke hearts for 6 to 10 months maximum. They last even beyond 10 months if frozen properly. Water-packed artichokes may last 5 to 6 months due to moisture content. Raw artichokes that are frozen in airtight containers last only for around 3 months.
How To Defrost Artichoke Hearts
Some of us may need to use the frozen artichokes immediately. Others may need them the next day. Whatever the need, you can thaw frozen artichokes in different ways.
- In a microwave:
Thawing artichokes in the microwave is quick and needs to be done carefully. Excess and uneven heat may even cook the artichokes.
- Keep the artichoke hearts in a microwave-safe tray and cover them with plastic wrap.
- Select the defrost option and microwave the artichoke for a couple of minutes.
- In normal water:
It takes around 30 minutes to defrost artichokes in cold water.
- Keep the frozen artichokes in resealable bags to prevent water from entering.
- Place the bag in a mixing bowl.
- Pour cold water into the bowl and leave it for half an hour.
- In the refrigerator:
This method takes around 6 hours. It is great if you want to use your frozen artichokes the next day.
- Take the required artichokes out of the freezer.
- Place them in a bowl or a plate and keep them in the refrigerator.
Can You Refreeze Artichoke Hearts?
The consistency and flavor of artichokes change over time if we refreeze them. The nutritional value also reduces. It may get a bit tricky. You can, however, refreeze artichoke dips and recipes. They retain the flavor pretty well on thawing.
Freezing Different Variations Of Artichoke Hearts
We can freeze artichoke hearts in different ways. But they are mostly blanched or slightly cooked beforehand. Let us see some of the different ways of storing artichokes:
Can You Freeze Marinated Artichoke Hearts?
Yes, you can freeze marinated artichoke hearts just like blanched ones. Simply pack the marinated hearts in individual portions. Place them in vacuum-sealed freezer bags or air-tight containers and freeze them.
Can You Freeze Cooked Artichoke Hearts?
You can freeze artichoke hearts used in recipes or baked for a few weeks. You can even freeze dips using artichoke hearts in portions. Seal them into individual portions in freezer bags and pop them in the freezer. They will be good for a solid few weeks or months.
Can You Freeze Jarred Or Canned Artichoke Hearts?
In case your jar or can of artichoke hearts are not opened yet, you don’t need to freeze them. Just place them in a cool, dry place like the pantry. They will remain fresh for a very long time.
But, if the cans are opened, simply take out the artichokes and seal them in airtight freezer bags. Label the bags with the freezing date and freeze them for a few months.
Can You Roast Frozen Artichoke Hearts?
Roasted artichoke hearts are the best. They are delicious and make good snacks. Simply defrost your frozen artichoke hearts in cold water for half an hour. Drain the thawed hearts and place them on baking trays. Roast them in the oven for 20 minutes. They are crispy, almost like freshly roasted artichokes.
By the way, you can also freeze roasted vegetables.
Best Tips For Freezing Artichoke Hearts
Freezing artichokes for the first time? Albeit simple, it can be a bit confusing at first. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Always check for the freshness of the artichokes before prepping the. Bad artichokes go rancid pretty fast on freezing.
- Try and freeze artichokes in individual portion sizes. This way, there is less refreezing involved.
- Flash freeze every time before the final freezing process. This prevents individual pieces from sticking to each other after freezing.
What Do You Do With A Bag Of Frozen Artichokes
There are some delicious recipes out there to try with frozen artichokes! The best ones are blending them in dips or sauces for their mushy texture.
- Keto Roasted Artichoke Hearts:
Thaw the frozen artichokes in the fridge for a few hours. Now place them on a baking tray and garnish with your favorite spices and lemon juice. Bake the artichokes for 15 minutes at 425 F.
- Tangy Artichoke hearts with herbs:
Defrost the artichoke hearts in cold water for 30 minutes. Slice them up and toss them into a pan with heated oil for 10-15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
Conclusion
Artichokes are fun, delicious veggies used in unique ways. This delicious vegetable is used in dips, baked or fried dishes, and even salads. Freezing them makes it easier to use them all year round. Now no more frequent trips to the grocery store! They are even marinated and frozen for months. Do leave us a like and comment if you liked our tips and methods on freezing artichokes.
