Easy Orange, Lemon, Lime Zest and Freezing Fresh Herbs Make Your Own Recipe

Thursday, January 13, 2011
Fresher, fabulous zest you can make that lasts for  months!



I use alot of fresh herbs and fresh fruit zest in my recipes. I just wanted to share this method with my viewers. I not only love the freshness in the zest here,  the smell while you making this is a breath of fresh air in your home as well!

Here's the easiest way to make this perfect addition to many of your fabulous meals your making with orange, lemon, lime or actually any herbs as well.

Directions:
Wash your fruit or herbs first. Dry them off.
Take a hand grater and grate the fruit making sure you don't go into the whites of the citrus, this is the bitter part.
Then make your piles of zest, place on wax paper or a freezer proof plate.
Freeze the zest for three weeks. This will dry it out. It is now ready to place in a glass container. Keep in a dry cool dark place in the cupboard or refrigerator. This lasts up to 6 months. Do not get this into sunlight the zest will fade although is still flavorful, it won't look nice.


Mint, basil, parsley, dill, thyme oregano all freeze well~
Herbs
You can follow the same method for all green herbs, however, I freeze it after washing and throw the herbs into freezer bags and freeze until needed.. You can  also freeze the herbs  in ice water in ice cube trays and just use a cube in your stews, soups etc. Leave it in the freezer until needed. I don't dry and bottle the herbs...


Nothing better than fresh from the freezer when it's winter time!
Hope this has been an informative and helpful way to use that citrus up and preserve herbs, your going to use more of it now that you aren't paying so much for these wonderful additions to your cookies, cakes and entree's. Enjoy!

23 comments

  1. I use lots of fresh herbs too. the food doesn't taste the same with the dried ones.
    I usually freeze them in the ice cubes trays and take them out when needed.
    Shall try your way with the zest, thanks for sharing.
    Best wishes,
    Roxana

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  2. Claudia, do you cover the zest piles or leave open to the freezer air, to freeze dry? Thanks.

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  3. That is very informative..I love smell of fresh zest, but I really didn't know that it can be so long in a fridge. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  4. Do U plant your own herb? wow.. that's good.. nothing more healthy than eat what we plant ^_^ I also plant some of herbs of my own.
    thx for the tips.

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  5. I love to have fresh zest and herbs about! Thanks for the reminder that it's easy enough to do . . . just a little planning and time.

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  6. @greengirl yes thats one of the methods of choice ice cubes then drop them in stews. Thats great for herbs. The zest is wonderful, after drying put in a glass screw top jar and refrigerate.
    @Melynda I do not cover the zest in the freezer tray, it dries nicely. This time I poured all three in one jar, made great garnishes in white zinfendel wine, tasted like a mock sangria!
    @Sandra glady you liked this!

    @Indonesian in Turkey yes I plant all fresh herbs lucky to have a screen porch and lots of sunshine in Florida!
    @Rosemary your welcome anytime!

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  7. Great ideas Claudia - frozen is definitely better than dried, if fresh is not possible. Love the first picture - so pretty!

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  8. I do herbs, but never thought about citrus zest, which I love. Thanks!

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  9. Excellent tips, Claudia, thanks!

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  10. You are a genius! I love this, Claudia!

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  11. excellent tip. i going to try now.

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  12. yes this was very informative, I did not know about freezing them first to dry out.... and I call myself a pretty knowledgeable cook...HA

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  13. Beautiful herbs, I think I can smell the basil. Did your mom ever go mushroom picking? Mine did and those were the best Ive had...ever! Visit my blog. Ciao, friend.

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  14. Thanks for the zest info Claudia, I had no idea. Mission accomplish friend!

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  15. I freeze my herbs in ice cubes religiously in September. I love the idea with the zesting - I never do that and it is a grand idea!

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  16. Great looking fresh herbs you have there, I am looking foward to our spring here in a few months and anticipate getting our herbs back in full swing.

    Fresh zest is best!

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  17. Great post! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. You are so right - zest just fills the air with the most amazing fresh scent!!

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  19. Great ideas Claudia! Thank you for sharing your methods with us. Hope you have a great weekend!

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  20. I love fresh herbs and have a rather large garden :) Love the zest tips too :)

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  21. Great tips, Claudia! Once the cold weather arrives it will be great to have a stockpile of herbs and zest :)

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  22. This is such a helpful post, Claudia. I have so many herbs in my garden that I know I won't use before the cold weather hits.

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