[Explanation with photos! ] A good way to freeze lotus roots and recipes to use them!

Have you ever bought a lot of lotus roots and ended up having some left over because you couldn't eat them all?

If you cannot eat all the food or want to keep it for a long time, we recommend freezing it.
If you freeze lotus root in the correct way, it will retain its crunchiness, so you can enjoy it whenever you like.

You can also use it for lunch boxes by freezing it after cooking.

We will introduce you to a good way to freeze lotus root to make it last longer, how long it will last, and some delicious recipes using frozen lotus root.

How to properly freeze lotus roots

Things to be careful about when freezing

Lotus root is a vegetable that is generally suitable for freezing, as it can maintain its texture if frozen in the correct way.

When storing food in the freezer, it is important to divide it into parts that can be used immediately after purchase and parts that can be frozen, and store the parts that will be frozen as soon as possible.

Lotus root grows in water, so it hates light, air, and dryness. It is a good idea to freeze the food as early as possible and avoid exposure to light and air.

​You can also freeze lotus root after cooking. In that case, seasoning has the advantage of eliminating the odor peculiar to freezing and making it easier for the flavor to penetrate into the damaged cells.

Please note that so-called "new lotus roots" that are shipped from June to early September do not have a long shelf life, so we recommend eating them as soon as possible without freezing them. This is because they are dug up when they are not fully grown, so they do not keep for a long time.

Freezing before cooking

①Peel the lotus root and cut it into thin slices.

② Soak the cut lotus root in vinegar water (1 teaspoon vinegar to 2 cups water) for about 5 minutes.

③ Drain the vinegar water, put it in a heat-resistant container, and heat it in the microwave for 3 minutes.

④Take it out and let it cool down, then put it in a freezer bag and freeze it.

It is important to heat it in the microwave for 3 minutes. This moderate amount of heating will help maintain the crunchiness. You can boil it directly in vinegar water, but we recommend using a microwave oven because it's easier to adjust the heat.

When freezing cooked food

① Cool the cooked food thoroughly.
②Place in a ziplock bag or other freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and close.
③ Just store it in the freezer and you're done.

This method allows you to freeze and preserve basically any food. During storage, when exposed to air, it gradually oxidizes, so it is important to remove as much air as possible to prevent this.

If you want to freeze it as a side dish for a bento box, it's best to portion it into aluminum cups and then freeze it. All you have to do is take out the aluminum cup when you use it, which is very convenient on busy mornings.

Tips on how long to store lotus root and how to defrost it

Source: http://cookpad.com/cooking_basics/5681

Frozen storage period

Lotus roots will last for about a week if stored in the refrigerator. On the other hand, if frozen, lotus roots can be stored for 1 to 2 months. The shelf life depends on the original freshness of the lotus roots, so it is safe to eat them within a month.

How to defrost when cooking

When cooking food by heating, such as simmering or stir-frying, do not defrost the food and just put it in the pot or frying pan.

By storing it frozen, you can use it up without losing the umami that comes from the broken cells. Also, the flavor soaks into the broken tissue of the lotus root, making it even more delicious.

How to defrost for salad etc.

When using lotus root in salads, you want to keep it as crunchy as possible. In that case, defrost it as slowly as possible.

Thawing slowly will prevent the lotus root tissue from breaking down. It is best to transfer it to the refrigerator and thaw it slowly.

>> [Freezing for a long time] 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

Delicious recipes using frozen lotus roots

Toasted frozen lotus root and tomatoes

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/3052167

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍れんこん　250g(15cm)くらい
・トマト　2個
・塩　少々
・こしょう　少々
・ガーリックパウダー　小1/2

<How to make>
1) Defrost thinly sliced frozen lotus root naturally.
2) Wipe off the water that came out when thawing.
3) Arrange the lotus roots on a heat-resistant plate and place the tomatoes cut into bite-sized pieces on top.
4) Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
5) Bake in a toaster for 15 minutes and it's done.

This recipe is easy to make if you have lotus roots and tomatoes. The crunchy texture of the lotus root and the juice from the roasted tomatoes make it an irresistible dish. You can also use curry powder instead of salt and pepper.

Stir-fried frozen lotus root and beer sausage

Source: http://recipe.rakuten.co.jp/recipe/1090015232/

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍れんこん　8枚
・ビアソーセージ　5枚
・料理酒　大２

<How to make>
1) Cut the frozen lotus root into thin slices in half.
2) Cut the beer sausage into 2 or 3 pieces.
3) Add lotus root, beer sausage, and cooking wine to a frying pan and stir-fry to evaporate water.
4) Once the lotus roots are golden brown, they are done.

This recipe is also easy to make if you have lotus roots and beer sausage. The saltiness of the sausage is enough to make it delicious, but if you like, you can add some pepper to give it a punch.

Delicious recipes using lotus roots

Japanese lotus root kinpira

☑材料(4人分)
・れんこん　250g(15cm)くらい
・人参　半分
・鶏ガラスープ　80cc
・砂糖　大1.5
・醤油　20cc
・酢　40cc
・①みりん20cc
・②みりん　20cc
・白すりごま　適量
・サラダ油　適量

<How to make>
1) Slice the lotus root into quarters and expose to vinegar water.
2) Cut carrots into thin strips
3) Heat oil in a frying pan and fry 1) and 2).
4) Add chicken soup, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and mirin (1), bring to a boil, cover with a drop lid, and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
5)② Add mirin and simmer for 3 minutes.
6) Arrange in a bowl and add white sesame seeds to complete.

We introduced recipes using lotus root, which is popular as a side dish for side dishes and lunch boxes. If you want to use it for lunch, just take it out of the freezer and put it in your lunch box.

By letting it thaw naturally, it will be ready to eat around noon. In this case, don't forget to divide it into portions and freeze them.

Fried lotus root scissors

☑材料(2人分)
・れんこん　150g
・豚バラ薄切り(豚バラ肉OK)　250g
・玉ねぎ　1/4個
・青じそ　6枚
・塩　小さじ1/4
・卵　1個
・こしょう　少々
・酒　小２
・しょうゆ　小２
・片栗粉　大さじ１
・小麦粉（れんこんに付ける）適量
・つけ塩（お好みで）　適量

<How to make>
1) Slice the lotus root into thin slices and soak in water.
2) Finely chop the green perilla and onion.
3) Cut pork belly into 1cm pieces
4) Add salt to 3) and mix until it becomes sticky.
5) Add onion, green perilla, egg, pepper, sake, soy sauce, and potato starch to 4) and mix well.
6) Wipe off the water from the lotus roots and sprinkle flour all over them.
7) Sandwich the seeds from 5) between the lotus root and fry in salad oil until crispy.

Fried lotus root scissors is also one of the popular lotus root dishes. We recommend freezing it with bread crumbs on it and frying it when you need it, so you can enjoy it freshly.

Conclusion

If you freeze lotus root in the correct way, you can preserve it for a long time while retaining its crunchiness.

You can freeze the food after cooking it, so by dividing it into small portions and freezing it, you can easily use it for lunch boxes.

We have also introduced a delicious frozen lotus root recipe, so please try it.