How to Preserve Shepherd's Purse for Long-Term Storage
A method for cleaning, blanching, and freezing shepherd's purse to maintain its texture and vibrant green color over time.
Story
Shepherd's purse is a seasonal wild vegetable that can be preserved effectively by blanching and freezing. This process ensures the greens remain free of grit and retain their fresh flavor.
Ingredients
Fresh shepherd's purse
as needed
Salt
to taste
Cooking oil
a few drops
Water
as needed
Instructions
1
Trim and Clean
Trim off the old roots, leaving a bit of the red root if desired for flavor. Remove any yellow or withered leaves. Place the shepherd's purse in a basin of water and soak, agitating repeatedly to remove all sand and grit. Rinse until the water runs clear.
2
Prepare the Blanching Water
Bring a pot of water to a boil. To help preserve the bright green color, add a little salt and a few drops of cooking oil to the boiling water.
3
Blanch the Greens
Add the shepherd's purse to the boiling water in batches if necessary. Stir gently with chopsticks to ensure even heating. Blanch briefly (about 10 seconds to 1 minute depending on preference), then remove and cool rapidly.
