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In the culinary arts, oyster mushrooms are considered one of the most common mushrooms. Their versatility is confirmed by many chefs and mushroom lovers. And this is no coincidence, because these fruiting bodies can undergo a variety of processing processes. They can be boiled, pickled, fermented, fried, stewed, dried, salted and frozen. These mushrooms are used to make salads, fillings for pies and pizzas, prepare first and second courses.

As already mentioned, preparations for the winter are made from oyster mushrooms. The simplest and fastest way many people recognize freezing. Recipes for freezing oyster mushrooms for the winter are very simple to prepare, and the process itself takes place "in one go." The main factor for proper freezing is compliance with some recommendations. The most important thing to pay attention to is that the fruit bodies should be fresh, without severe damage, spoilage and mold. If you make mistakes in this case, throw out your entire workpiece. Thus, for this workpiece, you need to take elastic and young mushrooms.

How to pre-cook oyster mushrooms for freezing

How to freeze oyster mushrooms at home in order to preserve them for a long time? It should be said that frozen mushrooms retain more nutrients than salted, pickled and fermented ones.

However, before you start freezing in the freezer, you need to know how to pre-prepare oyster mushrooms for freezing. Be sure to revise each copy: are there any yellow spots on the cap and under it, are there any cracks. Such "defective" mushrooms are by no means suitable for cooking and freezing - they are stale. If you defrost them, then the taste and smell will be unpleasant. Therefore, all mushrooms should be grayish blue with a uniform shade.

If you do not have time to immediately prepare oyster mushrooms for freezing for the winter, you should put them in the refrigerator for several days. At the same time, it is better not to wash or cut them - this way you can prolong the freshness of the mushrooms for a longer time. I must say that in a frozen state, oyster mushrooms can be stored for up to 12 months and not lose their nutritional properties.

How to freeze oyster mushrooms at home

So, how to properly freeze oyster mushrooms for the winter so that the mushrooms retain their taste? To freeze oyster mushrooms at home, you need to select fresh and young specimens, without mechanical damage. It is important to remember: if the mushrooms look good before freezing, then they will remain so after thawing.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with simple and effective recipes showing how to freeze oyster mushrooms for the winter.

To do this, it is necessary to "inspect" all mushrooms: damaged, rotten and dry should be discarded.

Rinse the oyster mushrooms under running water, put on a kitchen towel to drain the liquid well.

Cut the mushrooms into slices or wedges, lay on the surface in an even layer and let dry a little more.

Transfer to a baking sheet or cutting board and place in the freezer for 4 hours. This is done to prevent the mushrooms from sticking together into one solid piece.

After the specified time, transfer the oyster mushrooms to plastic bags or plastic food containers with lids and send them back to the freezer.

How to freeze fresh forest oyster mushrooms in the freezer

To understand how to freeze fresh oyster mushrooms, you need to know a few more recommendations. Freezing should take place at a temperature of -18 ° C. You need to defrost the fruit bodies only in the refrigerator. If you do this at room temperature, they will taste worse.

It should be said that mushrooms should not be re-frozen.That is why they need to be divided into portions in order to further prepare the intended dish and take as many fruit bodies as required for the recipe.

There are many ways to freeze oyster mushrooms on the Internet, which are commonly bought in the store. And if it comes to oyster mushrooms: how to freeze them?

In this case, before freezing, the mushrooms are cleaned of forest debris and leaves, and then wiped with a dry cloth. Only very dirty oyster mushrooms should be rinsed under running water and allowed to dry on a towel.

Small mushrooms can be frozen whole, large caps can be cut into pieces.

Cover trays or other suitable surface with cling film, spread the oyster mushrooms evenly and place in the freezer.

Turn on the enhanced freezing mode for 2 hours.

After this time, put the mushrooms in bags and put them back in the freezer.

Freezing boiled oyster mushrooms for harvesting for the winter

How to prepare oyster mushrooms for the winter by freezing, if you boil them first?

For this we need the following products and spices:

• oyster mushrooms - 2 kg;
• salt - 2 tbsp. l .;
• bay leaf - 5 pcs.;
• citric acid - ½ tsp;
• allspice and black peppercorns - 4 pcs.

Put a pot of water on the stove and let it boil.

Peel the mushrooms, cut them and put them in boiling water.

Let it boil for 15 minutes and add all the spices, include salt and citric acid.

Stir well and leave for another 15 minutes, so that the mushrooms boil with spices.

When the oyster mushrooms settle to the bottom, use a slotted spoon to remove them into a colander to allow the water to drain.

Excess liquid in frozen mushrooms is not allowed, as it gives them more volume.

Put the drained mushrooms on a wooden board and let dry well.

Transfer to a tray lined with parchment paper or just a plastic bag.

Place in the freezer for 3 hours at -18 ° C.

After the mushrooms are frozen, transfer them to bags, dividing them into portions.

Before cooking anything from frozen mushrooms, they must be transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator.

If oyster mushrooms are planned to be used for soup or pizza, then it can still be frozen in a frying pan.

Recipe for freezing fried oyster mushrooms

We suggest you find out how you can freeze oyster mushrooms in a fried state. For this we need the following products and devices:

• oyster mushrooms - 2 kg;
• salt to taste;
• vegetable oil;
• pan;
• wooden spoon.

Peel the oyster mushrooms, rinse and cut into small pieces.

Heat oil in a frying pan and add all the mushrooms there.

Add a little salt and fry until all the liquid has evaporated in the pan.

Allow the mushrooms to cool completely and distribute in portions in plastic containers.

Place in the freezer until completely frozen.

Shock freezing of oyster mushrooms

Are there other ways to freeze oyster mushrooms in the freezer? Many housewives have recently become more and more interested in shock freezing for oyster mushrooms.

First, you should find out what shock freezing is. This is a popular modern way of preserving food, which does not cause changes in the structure of food and its chemical composition. Therefore, when using this method, frozen food after defrosting practically does not differ from fresh one. Their structure is not destroyed by freezing and retains all its original nutritional qualities.

During shock freezing, oyster mushrooms retain all their properties and vitamins even during long-term storage. A similar method can be freely used at home. To do this, switch the freezer to full power and keep the mushrooms in it for about 1 hour. Normal freezing means a temperature of 18 ° C for 3 hours.

Now, you already know how to freeze oyster mushrooms. It remains only to buy mushrooms or collect them in the forest, and then start preparing the desired blanks.