Nature, food, landscape, travel/getty images
Tips for Preserving Fresh Celery
If you want to enjoy fresh and crisp celery for your soups, stocks, and snacks, it is important to know the best ways to store it.
Celery may seem like a simple vegetable, but it plays a significant role in many dishes. Whether used as part of a mirepoix in a soup, cooked with a pot roast, or as a garnish for a Bloody Mary, celery is a versatile ingredient. However, it is common to buy a bunch of celery for a recipe and then forget about it until it starts to lose its freshness and color. Here are some tips on how to properly store celery to prolong its shelf life.
Selecting Quality Celery
Elena Noviello/Getty Images
When choosing celery, look for stalks that are pale green, firm, and tightly packed. Avoid celery with bruises or discoloration. If you are concerned about not using the entire bundle, there are plenty of recipes that call for celery, and you can even regrow celery from the scraps.
Storing Whole Celery Stalks
After bringing celery home, remove it from its plastic bag to prevent the accumulation of ethylene gas, which can cause the celery to ripen quickly. To retain moisture and freshness, wrap the whole celery tightly in aluminum foil, leaving the ends open for ethylene gas to escape. Store the wrapped celery in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, where it can stay crisp for two to four weeks.
Preserving Cut Celery
Liudmyla Chuhunova/Getty Images
Once celery is cut, it loses moisture more quickly. If you need to prep celery in advance for snacks or recipes, submerge it in water, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. This method will help the celery retain its crispness for several days. If you want to remove the stringy bits, you can peel the celery before storing it.
Freezing Celery for Future Use
If you have excess celery that you want to preserve, blanching and freezing it is a great option. Blanching celery helps maintain its texture, color, and flavor. To blanch celery, boil chopped celery for 2-3 minutes, then transfer it to an ice bath for another 2-3 minutes. After cooling and drying the celery, store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Frozen celery is best used in soups and stews, as it will have a softer texture when thawed.
By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your celery stays fresh and ready to use whenever you need it.
Original Release Date: March 06, 2024