Parsley is an aromatic plant widely used in Italian cuisine. Let’s discover together the tricks to collect it at the right time of year and above all to store it in the most correct way.
Among the most popular aromatic plants of all time, parsley should certainly be mentioned. It is in fact a very tasty food, with a pungent and unique flavor. It can be placed on many dishes to which it can certainly give that extra touch. Obviously, like all things, this one tends to get damaged as the days go by.
Precisely for this reason, it is advisable to learn those preservation techniques that could make this vegetable maintain its characteristics. You should also know that there are the right times to harvest it as it is at certain times of the year that it can give its best in terms of taste and yield. So here is what we discovered about parsley, the timing of the harvest and above all its storage.
Parsley: the characteristics of the aromatic plant
When it comes to aromatic herbs, it is impossible not to mention parsley. This plant is really widespread in every area of Italy. It is very easy to grow and has many health benefits for those who consume it. We remember it for the therapeutic use it manages to exert towards water retention and the accumulation of excess fluids. Its leaves are also detoxifying and taking them regularly could help eliminate toxins that accumulate in the body.
The benefits derive from the presence of all those components that contribute to making parsley a noble food. We are talking about fats, sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, sodium, potassium, calcium and iron, all really valuable elements. According to some experts, parsley is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and can be used to counteract bad breath and promote digestion. It can be eaten both raw and cooked, as each recipe can be enhanced depending on the use of this food. In some parts of Italy it is used for decorating dishes, as its leaves are really characteristic.
When to harvest it: here’s the right time
As mentioned above, there is a time of year when picking parsley is more suitable. In this case, we are not talking about months or seasons but about a phase of growth that occurs in this plant. To benefit from the organoleptic qualities of the product, it is advisable to harvest parsley before flowering. This is because, when the flowers bloom, the taste of the leaves becomes lighter.
It is also possible to harvest it when the new leaves point following pruning, or when the outer parts of the plant are too large compared to the inner ones. These little tricks allow you to identify the best phase for the harvest, not only for what you are going to bring to the table, but also for the new possibilities that will be offered to the plant. The new leaves will thus have a way to expand, while in the presence of the old ones they may dry out earlier than necessary.
How to store fresh parsley?
The same precautions should be taken with regard to the storage of fresh parsley. This plant is really very delicate, which is why it could be damaged if not protected in the best possible way. Parsley can be stored inside a freezer if placed in special bags and thawed at the time of consumption.
As for the refrigerator, however, it is necessary to place the parsley in some plastic packaging or inside a little aluminum foil. In this case, however, the precious aromatic herb will only be good for three days after which it will be thrown away. Many suggest placing the parsley inside a damp cloth to be placed in turn inside a freezer bag. This will release moisture and its leaves will not dry out prematurely.
A classic type of preservation concerns the possibility of storing parsley in water. All you have to do is put the stems of the vegetable in the water, cover everything with plastic wrap and place the parsley in the refrigerator. In this case, the duration of the product should be around a week. Have you ever tried one of these tricks?
