The name boletus, or redhead, includes several species of mushrooms from the genus Leccinum. All of them are suitable for eating and various cooking. Fresh mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days. To be able to use the product in winter, it can be frozen.
Nutritional properties of boletus
Boletus is appreciated by both mushroom pickers and culinary specialists. This is due to their nutritional and taste qualities. The calorie content of mushrooms is low - it is only 22 kcal / 100 g.
The same mass of crude product contains 3.3 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 1.2 g of carbohydrates, 6 g of dietary fiber, 88 g of water. The protein, which is part of the boletus, is equivalent in quality to animal proteins in nutritional quality.
Did you know? 1 kg of dried mushrooms contains more protein than a kilo of beef.
As for the vitamin-mineral composition, the following elements are present in the boletus boletus:
- vitamin B1 (1.3% of the daily human requirement);
- vitamin B2 (25%);
- vitamin C (6.7%);
- vitamin E (0.7%);
- vitamin PP (49%);
- potassium (16.2%);
- calcium (0.3%);
- magnesium (4%);
- sodium (0.5%);
- phosphorus (8.8%);
- iron (1.7%).
The product is rich in saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Due to its nutritional value and chemical composition, redheads can have beneficial effects on the human body, the most important of which are:
- strengthening the immune system;
- prevention of anemia;
- elimination of inflammatory processes;
- purification of blood vessels (when used in dried form);
- lowering blood cholesterol.
The product may not be stored for long in the refrigerator - only 2-3 days. To preserve its nutritional qualities longer, it can be frozen. However, this must be done correctly, having carried out the necessary preparation.
Important! Boletus can be harmful if consumed excessively - they increase the load on the liver, kidneys and digestive tract. This product should not be used for children under 6 years old, pregnant women, the elderly.
Preparation for freezing
Before freezing mushrooms, they must be inspected and discarded. It is necessary to get rid of wormy, rotten, moldy, old specimens. The fact that the mushroom is already overripe is indicated by the dark flesh.
For this method of storage, it is worth selecting boletus that meet the following characteristics:
- smooth;
- whole
- medium size;
- strong;
- with a pleasant smell.
Before laying them for storage, they must first be cleaned of dirt, then placed in a colander and washed three times under running water. Such a preparation step as soaking is not necessary for redheads, since after being saturated with moisture they become very brittle.
After contact with water, the mushrooms should be completely dried and only then placed in containers for freezing. It is good to carry out drying by spreading them on a horizontal surface covered with paper towels.
How to store in the freezer
Mushrooms can be frozen and stored in the freezer in ordinary bags, in special vacuum bags with clasps and in plastic containers. The choice of method depends on the availability of containers and the amount of space in the freezer.
When storing in bags, it is imperative to completely release air from them using a straw. Raw mushrooms, boiled and fried, can be frozen.
Raw
Selected, clean and dried mushrooms should be placed on a baking sheet, large dish or chopping board and put in the freezer, in the quick freezing department. After the product freezes, it must be poured into bags or containers. Then the mushrooms need to be re-placed in the freezer for long-term storage.
Did you know? Scientists found the oldest mushroom in Brazil. It is believed that he is about 115 million years old.
It is not necessary to thaw a raw product in water or in a warm temperature. It is better to take it out of the freezer in advance and put it on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. So the thawing process will proceed gradually, and most of the nutrients will be saved.
Boiled
If the boletus is large, they must be cut into several parts. So in the future it will be more convenient to use them for cooking dishes. Sorted, clean and cut mushrooms are placed in a pan with water.
After it boils, you need to add 1 tbsp. l salt and boil the boletus another quarter of an hour. Periodically you need to remove foam from the surface of the water. After the mushrooms are boiled, they must be placed in a colander, let the liquid drain and dry.
Boiled redheads are best stored in containers - so they retain their shape and do not acquire a shapeless mass.
Fried
A fried product is good because it can be consumed immediately after thawing, just warm in a microwave or in a pan. It’s best to fry it with onions.. Before freezing, you need to cut the boletus into pieces and boil in salted water for a quarter of an hour. Then they must be placed in a colander and dried.
Check out
Next, proceed as follows:
- Cut onion in half rings or cubes.
- Preheat the pan.
- Pour in vegetable oil.
- Pour onion.
- Fry until half cooked.
- Put mushrooms in the onion.
- Close the lid.
- Fry until soft.
- Cool.
- Place the fried product in bags or containers and refrigerate.
Shelf life in the freezer
Fresh mushrooms after freezing are suitable for six months. The boiled product has the same shelf life. Fried boletus can be consumed for two months. If the product is subsequently subjected to heat treatment, then it is not necessary to further defrost it.
Thawed product must not be re-frozen. After defrosting, it must be used immediately for cooking.
So, boletus is easy to freeze at home. There are several ways to do this. It is important to properly prepare the product and not subject it to repeated freezing. Cook mushrooms on the stove in the future should be, without first defrosting.