Quick Answers
Yes, you can absolutely freeze fresh spinach to use later in smoothies. Freezing spinach is a great way to preserve it when you buy or grow more than you can use right away. Frozen spinach locks in the nutrients and makes it easy to throw into smoothies for a nutritional boost down the road.
Some key points about freezing spinach for smoothies:
– Wash and dry fresh spinach thoroughly before freezing
– Blanch the spinach briefly in boiling water or steam to help it freeze better
– Let spinach cool completely before freezing
– Pack spinach loosely in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible
– Frozen spinach lasts 6-12 months in the freezer
– Use frozen spinach straight from the freezer in smoothies without needing to thaw
– Combine frozen spinach with fruits, milk, yogurt, juice, protein powder, etc for a healthy smoothie full of nutrients
So go ahead and stock up on fresh spinach when you see a good deal or have a productive harvest. With proper freezing techniques, you’ll have easy access to spinach for smoothies long after the fresh stuff is gone.
How to Prepare Fresh Spinach for Freezing
Freezing spinach to use later in smoothies is easy. Here are some steps to follow for preparing fresh spinach for the freezer:
1. Wash the Spinach Thoroughly
Start by washing your fresh spinach very well. Spinach often has dirt or sand clinging to the leaves, so you want to rinse it under cool running water to remove any grit. Swish the spinach around and inspect the leaves to make sure they are clean.
2. Dry the Spinach
After washing, you need to make sure the spinach leaves are very dry before freezing them. Wet spinach will turn to mush when frozen. Spread the clean spinach out on some clean kitchen towels and pat dry. Allow it to air dry completely, which usually takes about an hour.
3. Blanch the Spinach
Blanching involves quickly plunging the spinach into boiling water or steam to help stop enzyme actions that could diminish texture, color, flavor and nutrition.
To boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and boil for 1-2 minutes until the spinach is limp and bright green. Drain the spinach and immediately plunge it into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Pat very dry again.
To steam: Place spinach in a single layer in a steaming basket or colander. Steam over boiling water for 2-3 minutes just until wilted. Plunge into an ice bath, drain well and pat very dry.
4. Allow Spinach to Cool Completely
It is crucial that spinach cools to room temperature before freezing it. If you freeze warm spinach, it will turn mushy and lose quality. Spread out the blanched, dry spinach in a single layer and allow it to cool completely before packing for the freezer.
5. Pack Spinach for Freezing
You can pack cooled spinach loosely in freezer-safe zip top bags or plastic containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This prevents freezer burn. You can also vacuum seal blanched spinach for the best preservation.
Label bags or containers with the type and date before freezing. Frozen spinach is good for 6-12 months in a 0°F freezer.
Freezing Raw Spinach
While blanching is recommended for best texture, color and nutrient retention, you can also freeze raw spinach. Here’s how:
– Wash spinach very well, dry thoroughly
– Remove any thick stems or imperfect leaves
– Spread leaves in a single layer on a tray and freeze solid
– Transfer frozen spinach to bags/containers, removing air
– Use within 2-3 months for best quality
The texture of raw frozen spinach can become more limp and cellular breakdown occurs faster compared to blanched. But the convenience of skipping blanching may outweigh the small drop in quality for some smoothie-makers.
Thawing and Using Frozen Spinach in Smoothies
Using frozen spinach in your smoothies couldn’t be easier. You can skip any thawing and just throw the frozen spinach right into your blender!
Here are some tips for incorporating frozen spinach into smoothies:
– Add 1-2 cups of frozen spinach per smoothie
– Combine with sliced frozen banana, frozen berries, pineapple, mango, etc.
– Also add yogurt, milk or a dairy substitute like almond milk
– Use orange juice, apple juice, or other fruit juices as the liquid base
– Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, dates, or a bit of sugar if needed
– Sprinkle in some vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder for extra flavor
– Top with chia seeds, sliced almonds, granola or shredded coconut
The frozen spinach will blend up easily into a cold, thick and nutrient-packed smoothie without diluting or icing down the drink. Kids who turn up their noses at cooked spinach often gobble up these “green” smoothies without even realizing the healthy ingredients.
So grab those bags of frozen spinach and get creative with smoothies the whole family will love!
Nutrition Benefits of Spinach in Smoothies
Enriching your smoothies with frozen spinach adds a big punch of nutrition. Here are some of the top nutrients you’ll gain:
Vitamin A
Spinach is absolutely loaded with vitamin A, providing over 50% of the recommended daily intake in just 1 cup raw. Vitamin A supports immune function, eye health and cellular communication.
Vitamin K
Important for blood clotting and bone health, spinach delivers over 600% of your daily vitamin K needs per cup. Use its natural thickening powers in smoothies.
Folate
The generous amount of folate in spinach helps metabolism and cell growth. Folate is especially important for pregnant women to support fetal development.
Antioxidants
Spinach contains two key antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, that boost eye health and reduce inflammation. Blend them into your smoothie for protection.
Iron
The iron content of spinach helps deliver oxygen to muscles and the brain. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, which smoothies with spinach can help counteract.
Magnesium
This mineral in spinach relieves muscle cramps and tension. It also promotes calmness, focus and quality sleep – perfect for starting your day with a spinach smoothie!
Vitamin C
Adding citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, peppers or other vitamin C sources to spinach smoothies enhances iron absorption for an extra nutrient benefit.
With all these powerful nutrients, spinach is one of the most nutritious ingredients you can add to smoothies. Drink up for better health!
Storing Fresh Spinach to Freeze Later
When you come across a good sale on fresh spinach or have a productive harvest, you may get more than you can use right away. Here are some tips for properly storing fresh spinach to freeze in batches over time:
1. Store in Perforated Plastic Bags
Poke some small holes in a plastic bag and put dry spinach leaves inside. The perforations allow air flow so the spinach doesn’t get slimy.
2. Refrigerate
Keep the bagged spinach in the refrigerator, ideally in the high-humidity drawer, if your fridge has one. The cold plus moisture helps keep it crisp.
3. Use Within 5 Days
For best quality, use or freeze the fresh spinach within 3-5 days. The leaves will gradually wilt and degrade beyond that timeframe.
4. Rinse Right Before Use
When ready to freeze a batch, pull out the needed leaves and rinse off any accumulated moisture or debris before patting dry and blanching.
5. Check for Damage
Inspect the leaves and discard any that are slimy, wilted or discolored before freezing. Damaged leaves can decay and ruin the whole batch.
6. Don’t Wash All at Once
Washing removes the natural protective barriers on spinach. Only wash directly before use or freezing, not your whole stash at one time.
Follow these tips and your fresh spinach should retain quality and nutrients for quick freezing in multiple batches for months of green smoothies ahead!
Conclusion
Freezing spinach to use later in smoothies is an easy way to preserve fresh spinach while retaining nutrients. Blanching spinach before freezing helps it hold texture and color. Raw spinach can also be frozen but may degrade faster. Thawed frozen spinach blends perfectly into smoothies without dilution for an easy nutrition boost. So save money and simplify your smoothie routine by freezing spinach when you have a surplus crop or find a great deal at the market. Just a few bags of frozen spinach can fuel hundreds of healthy, homemade smoothies your whole family will love drinking!
