How to prepare dill for the winter: simple methods

Preparation for storage

Greens are always healthy, as they contain vitamins C and P, carotene, iron, and many other beneficial substances. And dill has such a wonderful aroma! That's because it's rich in essential oils and fiber. Eating it frequently will improve your appetite and boost your immunity. It's also an excellent sedative and antispasmodic, an antioxidant, and an expectorant. Dill water helps new mothers produce milk. The key is knowing how and what to do to keep dill fresh.

Video: How to Keep Dill Fresh

This video will show you how to keep these greens fragrant and delicious.

What to store in

You can pickle them in a jar, marinate them in vinegar, freeze them, and dry them outside or in the oven. Each method has its pros and cons.

To preserve herbs for up to a month, use regular jars. Place a bunch of herbs in the jar and seal with a standard lid, or place them in vacuum-sealed containers. The herbs will last for about a week.

You can also pack the greens in a plastic bag or wrap them in cling film. Make sure to poke a couple of holes in the bag to allow the greens to breathe.

Remember to wrap the greens in a paper towel before placing them in the bag.Wash dill in a container of water. Place the greens in the water, let them sit, then shake them dry and place them in a bag.

Ways to preserve dill for the winter

You can try pickling it. This seasoning makes a wonderful soup dressing. It can be added to potatoes, buckwheat, or even salads.

How do you prepare the pickle? Rinse and dry the shoots. Chop the greenfinch and place it in a jar, covering it with salt. Tamp it down and close the lid. Store it in the refrigerator on a high shelf.

This dill can be used throughout the year; it's a long-lasting storage method. Just remember that the dressing is very salty, so be careful when adding salt to dishes you'll be using this seasoning in.

Remember, you only need sterilized jars (some people just use clean jars), dill, and salt (in a 1:2 ratio). First, wash the dill, then shake it, and wipe off any excess moisture with a napkin. Chop the stems! However, if you prefer, you can dry the stems by simply chopping them finely. After you've puréed the herbs, sprinkle the bottom of the jar with salt. Next, arrange the dill sprigs in alternating layers, filling the entire jar in an improvised "zebra." Remember, the last layer should be salt. After that, simply store the jar in the cupboard.

There's also another way you can now learn how to store dill in jars without salt. Specifically, preserve it in vegetable oil. This method is very simple and saves time.

First, wash, dry, and chop the dill. Then, place it in jars and cover with vegetable oil. Then, seal the jars with canning lids.

Thanks to this, the prepared dill retains its beneficial properties, and the oil at the same time acquires a light dill aroma, which makes a wonderful addition to salads.

Pickled dill. This is a very unique dish. To prepare it, you need to gather only the green sprigs, without the stems. Wash the greens thoroughly, place them in a jar, and pour the marinade over them. How do you make the marinade? It's very simple: mix boiling water with salt and vinegar. Then simply sterilize the jar with this liquid. Place the dill jar on top, covered with a lid. Pour water into the pan at the same temperature as the marinade. After 8-12 minutes of boiling, you can seal the jar.

In the freezer

Freezing is one of the most popular ways to preserve greens. Dill can be stored either chopped or whole. To do this, wash it, drain it, and only then store it in containers or bags. There's no need to defrost the greens; they can be added directly to food. These greens retain their flavor for 9-10 months. However, remember that the aroma and flavor are slightly different from fresh ones, so it's best to add them to soups and main courses, rather than risk them in salads. There are several ways to prepare them.

Freezing bunches. Wash the greens, gather them into small bunches, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Store in the freezer.

Freezing finely chopped dill. Wash and dry the herbs. Then chop them, transfer them to a container, and store them in the freezer.

Freeze in foil. Chop the greens very finely. Then make small envelopes out of the foil. Place a couple of tablespoons of dill in each. Leave in the freezer.

You can also freeze dill in ice. Take ice cube trays and fill them 80% full with dill, then add water. Then place them in the freezer. Shake the cubes into a plastic bag.

In dried form

Drying can be done anywhere. You can even dry tough stems. Surprisingly, this is how dill releases its maximum flavor. Simply chop the sprigs carefully with a knife to ensure the dill retains its beautiful appearance. Alternatively, you can grind the dried dill in a coffee grinder.

Method one: Wash the dill and dry it. Chop it finely and leave it in the sun for 2-3 days. After that, you can harvest the dried dill; just make sure to transfer it to a bag and store it in a dry place.

Gather the greens into bunches and hang them by the window. After a couple of days, remove them, wrap them in a linen cloth, and store them in a cupboard. You can also speed up the drying process by finely chopping the greens and microwaving them. The key is not to overdry them.

Store dill in bags or glass jars. Dried dill can be stored for quite a long time. It can be added to soups and to meat and fish. The flavor will differ slightly from fresh dill, so we don't recommend adding it to salads.

You can also dry dill in jars: chop the greens, spread them out, and refrigerate them briefly. Then transfer the seasoning to a resealable bag and refrigerate.

You can dry the dill in the oven. To do this, spread the greens on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. For the first few hours, the temperature should be no higher than 40°C (104°F), then increase it to 70°C (168°F). Keep the oven door slightly ajar. After a couple of hours, the dill will be ready. But keep in mind that this "quick" method of harvesting deprives the dill of all its medicinal properties. The seasoning will have a very weak flavor. However, if there are no other options, use this one.

Video: "An Easy Way to Preserve Dill for the Winter"

This video will teach you the most common secrets for keeping herbs fresh for as long as possible.