Drying and Freezing Mushrooms: Step-by-Step Instructions

Porcini mushrooms are very popular. They can be pickled, salted, boiled, and fried. Drying and freezing are two excellent and easy ways to achieve excellent results. The most important thing is to prepare the product and follow all the procedures correctly.

Drying or freezing?

Porcini mushrooms can be prepared by drying or freezing. Each method has its own characteristics and advantages:

• Freezing – the product retains all its beneficial properties and vitamins in full. After this procedure, the mushrooms will not have an unpleasant bitterness. The taste of the frozen product is practically indistinguishable from the fresh one.
• Drying This is the easiest method of preservation. The product retains all its beneficial properties. It can be stored in an airtight container in a kitchen cabinet without any special conditions.

Porcini mushrooms are also prepared using the salting method:

• With vinegar The mushroom mixture is poured with vinegar essence, mixed, and packaged into prepared jars. The jars are sealed with lids and stored in the refrigerator or other cool place.
• Dry salting The mushrooms are sliced ​​and salted, placed in containers, and covered with weights. After a few days, juice appears.

Freezing Features

The best way to preserve all the beneficial properties of mushrooms is freezing. Exposure to high temperatures does not alter their composition. Both fresh and pre-cooked mushrooms are suitable for freezing.

It's essential to strictly adhere to all key principles of preparing wild fruits for freezing. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in an unpleasant bitterness in the taste and the wild fruits will lose their shape.

Preparing porcini mushrooms for freezing

Store-bought produce is usually free of dirt or insects, so preparation is very simple. Simply wipe off any minor dirt with a clean cloth, and you're ready to begin the freezing process.

If you foraged porcini mushrooms from the forest yourself, they may be contaminated with dust, sand, forest debris, and sometimes even insects. Therefore, prepare them as follows:

1. Clean the product from dust and grass.
2. Fill a bowl with water and drop in the mushrooms.
3. Rinse the produce quickly, but don't leave it in water for too long. Mushrooms are like sponges, instantly absorbing moisture they don't need.
4. Place the mushrooms on a paper towel. The paper will absorb any excess moisture.

What are the methods of freezing?

There are several methods for freezing porcini mushrooms—raw or cooked. The choice depends on the specific situation.

Can you freeze raw porcini mushrooms?

Freezing fresh produce is the easiest and fastest method of preserving. Follow these steps:

1. Sort the mushrooms – freeze the small ones whole, and cut the larger ones into cubes or strips.
2. Place the fruiting bodies in an even layer on a dry baking sheet. Make sure they don't stick to each other.
3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer compartment.
4. After 2-3 hours, when the product is completely frozen, place it into containers.
5. Close the containers tightly and place in the freezer compartment for storage.

Only fresh and recently picked mushrooms are used for freezing. If you use mushrooms that have been refrigerated for some time, they will be less tasty.

Preparing boiled porcini mushrooms for the winter

Most frozen mushroom recipes require boiling the mushrooms first, which makes the prep process time-consuming.

However, you can pre-boil the product before freezing, which will make it much easier to use, and after defrosting it will be practically ready to eat.

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the product: wash it, cut large specimens into random pieces, leave small ones whole.
2. Bring water to a boil and add lightly salt.
3. Place the prepared product into the boiling liquid.
4. Boil for exactly 15 minutes, skimming off the foam periodically.
5. Place the cooked mushrooms in a sieve, then on paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
6. When the liquid has drained and the product has cooled, distribute it into containers.
7. Place in freezer compartment for storage.

The remaining mushroom broth can be simmered until it thickens. Then, pour into containers and place in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. This makes a wonderful base for various sauces and soups.

How to fry porcini mushrooms for the winter?

You can pre-fry the product before freezing. After defrosting, the mixture can be used to prepare a variety of delicious dishes. It makes an ideal base for vareniki and pirozhki.

The mushrooms are prepared as follows:

1. Wash the fruiting bodies, salt and fry in a preheated frying pan with oil for about 25 minutes.
2. Stir constantly to prevent them from burning.
3. Place the finished product in a sieve to cool and drain off excess fat.
4. Place the product into prepared containers or portioned bags.
5. Close the containers tightly and place them in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

How to store and defrost mushrooms properly?

There are several options for defrosting porcini mushrooms - one is quick, the other takes longer, but is considered the right way.

If you need to defrost the product as quickly as possible:

1. Remove the mushrooms from the freezer.
2. Fill with cold water, then leave for 10-15 minutes.
3. After this time, the mushrooms are completely ready for further use.

The second method is considered technically correct, but takes more time:

1. Place the mushrooms in the refrigerator (preferably on the top shelf).
2. Wait 2-4 hours.
3. Once the mushrooms have thawed, use them for further cooking.

The product can only be stored in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. Containers must be hermetically sealed.

Drying Features

Drying mushrooms is an old, tried-and-true, and simple method of preserving them for the winter. Dried porcini mushrooms take up virtually no space and, if properly stored, can be stored for several months. This product contains more protein than mushrooms prepared using other methods.

Which mushrooms are suitable for drying?

Porcini mushrooms are ideal for drying. Before drying, carefully sort and clean the mushrooms. Any specimens with signs of damage are discarded, as they won't keep for long.

Preparing for drying

Avoid washing mushrooms with water before drying. They easily absorb moisture, which will negatively impact the quality of the finished product and significantly prolong the drying time.

Using a sharp knife, the fruiting bodies are cleaned of debris, grass, moss, and other contaminants. They are then wiped with a clean, damp cloth or sponge to remove dust and dirt. They are sorted by size: small specimens are dried whole, while larger ones are cut in half.

How and where can you dry mushrooms?

There are several options for drying this type of mushroom. The choice of method depends on the conditions available and your preference. For example, you can dry the mushrooms in the open air or use a microwave oven.

On the street

Drying mushrooms outdoors is the easiest and most accessible method of preserving mushrooms. It's important to have sunny and dry weather. A hot day is ideal, but avoid exposing the mushrooms to direct sunlight.

The procedure is carried out as follows:

1. Thread the prepared and cleaned fruiting bodies onto a thick thread (fishing line or twine will do). Make sure they don't come into contact with each other.
2. You can use another method: spread the product in an even layer on clean paper.
3. Under suitable conditions, drying takes 5-7 days.

In the oven

The most popular drying method is using an oven. The procedure itself is as follows:

1. Place the prepared product on a parchment-lined baking sheet (in a single layer), turning occasionally. Use a wire rack to ensure proper air circulation.
2. Keep the oven door open at all times.
3. Set the temperature to +45 ˚С.
4. When the mushrooms have lost some of their moisture and are less sticky than at the beginning, raise the temperature to +70 ˚С.
5. Dry the product until fully cooked – this process takes 1-2 hours.

In the microwave

A microwave oven is ideal for drying a variety of foods, including mushrooms. Follow these steps:

1. Cut the prepared product into petals.
2. Place the workpiece on the grill in one row.
3. Dry the product for about 20 minutes, setting the power to 150-170 W.
4. Drain the liquid released by the mushrooms and leave them until they cool.
5. Repeat the procedure several times until the product is completely dry.

In a dehydrator

This option is suitable for situations where mushrooms are being harvested in large quantities. If you have a dehydrator, drying is quite easy. This device ensures uniform heating and distribution of air.

The prepared product is placed on the grill, and the device is turned on. Gradually, the raw material begins to lose moisture, but simultaneously retains all its beneficial and nutritional properties.

Where and how long can dried mushrooms be stored?

Dried mushrooms can be stored for up to 2-3 months under the right conditions. Use paper bags, canvas bags, cardboard boxes, or glass containers, but don't seal the lid tightly. Store in a dry place, such as a kitchen cabinet.

Mushrooms can be ground and the resulting powder used as a flavoring in various dishes. Mushroom powder is often added to flour for making meat and fish pies or dumplings.

Freezing or drying mushrooms is a straightforward process. With proper preparation, they can be stored for several months. Both frozen and dried mushrooms retain their flavor and nutritional value.

Frequently Asked Questions