Parsley is a widely used aromatic plant in Italian cuisine. Let’s discover together the tips for harvesting it at the right time of year and, above all, for preserving it properly.
Collect the parsley
Among the most beloved herbs of all time, parsley is certainly one to mention. It is, in fact, a very tasty food, with a pungent and unique taste. It can be added to many dishes to which it will certainly give that extra touch. Of course, like anything else, it also tends to deteriorate over time.
It is precisely for this reason that it is advisable to learn the preservation techniques that can help this vegetable maintain its characteristics. It is also important to know that there are favorable times to harvest it, as it is at certain times of the year that it is capable of giving its best in terms of flavor and yield. Here is what we discovered about parsley, harvest times , and especially its preservation.
Parsley: the characteristics of the aromatic plant
When talking about aromatic herbs , it is impossible not to mention parsley. This plant is truly widespread in all regions of Italy. It is very easy to grow and has numerous health benefits for those who consume it. We remember it for the therapeutic use it can exert against water retention and the accumulation of excess fluids. Its leaves are also detoxifying and their regular intake could help eliminate toxins that accumulate in the body.
Parsley
The benefits come from the presence of all the components that contribute to making parsley a noble food. We’re talking about fats, sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron— all truly valuable elements. According to some experts, parsley is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and can be used to fight bad breath and aid digestion. It can be eaten both raw and cooked, as each recipe can be enhanced according to its use. In some regions of Italy, it is used to garnish dishes, as its leaves are truly characteristic.
When to harvest it: here is the right time
As mentioned above, there is a time of year when it is best to pick parsley. In this case, we are not talking about months or seasons but about a growth phase that occurs in this plant. To benefit from the organoleptic qualities of the product, it is advisable to harvest parsley before flowering. In fact, when the flowers bloom, the flavor of the leaves becomes lighter.
Parsley
It is also possible to harvest it when new leaves emerge after pruning, or when the outer parts of the plant are too large compared to the inner parts. These little tricks allow you to identify the best phase for harvesting, not only for what you will bring to the table, but also for the new possibilities that will open up to the plant. This will give the new leaves the opportunity to develop, whereas if the old ones are present, they could dry out sooner than necessary.
How to keep parsley fresh?
The same precautions should be taken when storing fresh parsley. This plant is very delicate, so it could be damaged if not protected in the best possible way. Parsley can be stored in the freezer if it is placed in special bags and thawed just before consumption .
However, when it comes to the refrigerator, it is necessary to store parsley in plastic wrap or a piece of aluminum foil. In this case, however, the precious aromatic herb will only be valid for three days, after which it should be discarded. Many suggest wrapping the parsley in a damp cloth and placing it in a freezer bag. This way, it will release moisture and its leaves will not dry out prematurely.
A classic way to preserve parsley is to place it in water. Simply place the stems of the vegetable in water, cover with plastic wrap, and place the parsley in the refrigerator. In this case, the product should last about a week. Have you ever tried any of these tricks?