Freezing excess basil

[judydawn]

I tried 2 different ways today.

1st method - Freeze fresh, unwashed leaves in small zip-lock bags (2 or 3 flat layers).  Squeeze the air out and freeze immediately

2nd method - Basil & Olive Oil puree.
Remove leaves from the plant, wash and shake in a sieve then dry with paper towels.
Place 3 large handfuls into the TM bowl with 2 - 3 tblspns olive oil.
Press turbo button twice, scrape down sides and repeat.
Place roughly 100g into small ziplock bags, express the air and seal.
Will last 12 months.
You can snap off the amount required.

[judydawn]

More photos.

[judydawn]

And another.

[fundj&e]

JD  i do the same plus i make pesto.

[judydawn]

Why is it that the herbs you hardly use go berserk and the ones you want more of are a little slow 
I also made a huge batch of pesto last week fundj and gave it to my DD.

[fundj&e]

I know what you mean I can never grow enough parsley 

[Nay-nay]

Oh man!! & I grow too much parsley & mint and no way near enough basil!! 

[hools003]

We have loads of mint, basil and oregano but the coriander died!!! Grrr. Apparently it's best grown from seed cos it doesn't like to be transplanted. We are going to try and plant in pots, every 3 weeks!
We are a bit light on the parsley too.

[cookie1]

No matter what we do our basil goes mad. I just can't keep up with it.The more I trim the flowers off the more it grows. My oregano and thyme are lovely ground covers under the roses. I manage to keep the parsley under control. I think I will plant some coriander, I don't like it but it really adds to several recipes.

[Shayla]

Has anyone tried freezing the pesto? Someone gave me a huge bag of basil and it made about 2kg of pesto - now I don't know what to do with it all - I did give 1 kg back to the person who gave me the basil but still three large jars and it is very expensive to make and I don't want it wasted.
Shayla

[fundj&e]

I Freeze mine flat in a zip lock bag, just snap off what you need. I still have last years in the freezer.

ciao

[Shayla]

Thank you - sounds wonderful - I will freeze it that way and look forward to using it and not wasting it.

[cookie1]

I freeze mine in ice cube trays and then pop them out into plastic bags.

[earth mumma]

Thanks JD for this thread.  I have been looking at my basil and thinking I really need to do something with it before it goes completely to seed or the first frost gets it.  Now I'll make some pesto to freeze and also freeze a little freah to add to pasta sauces and for pizza toppings.
 

[Twitterpated]

My purple basil plant fell over today from too much rain. Won't be able to save it so I am pleased to see JD's comments about freezing in a ziplock back. Thanks for all the great ideas JD.