Can polenta be frozen? (+13 steps to freeze store polenta safely)
In this article, we will answer If polenta can be frozen, and how to defrost frozen polenta along with its different types.
Can polenta be frozen?
Yes, polenta can easily be frozen. The best way to do it is to let it completely cool down first. After cooling, cut it into small pieces and wrap them individually into foil. Place them inside sealable plastic bags to prevent the crystal formation. You can store these for up to three months.
What is polenta?
Polenta is boiled cornmeal made from flint corn. It is either served warm as a porridge or it can be cut into smaller chunks, tossed with herbs, spices, flavors, and then grilled, stir-fried, or baked in the oven. Traditionally, polenta was made with wheat, chickpea, chestnut, and millet grains. Polenta is lightly blended for a grainy and firm texture. Fine corn grains make a more rich and creamy polenta.
How to freeze polenta safely?
If you made polenta in large amounts and it will take months to eat it, freezing is a great option to preserve its freshness for 1-3 months. However, if you have leftover polenta in smaller amounts, refrigerate it and it will be good to use for another 2-3 days. Follow the steps below to freeze store your polenta.
- Cook your polenta to your personal preference.
- Take out all the polenta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap, using a spatula.
- With the help of a spatula, press and spread the polenta uniformly across the pan.
- After the polenta has lost some of its heat, toss it in the refrigerator. Let it set and solidify.
- Take the polenta out of the fridge. Turn the pan upside down and carefully take out the polenta on the counter.
- Cut the polenta into shapes and sizes of your personal preference.
- Wrap each polenta piece with a plastic wrap tightly. Surround this wrap with an aluminum wrap for each piece separately.
- Toss all the individually double wrapped polenta pieces into a freezer bag or a heavy-duty plastic bag.
- Put the bag in the freezer.
- If you want to store your polenta in bulk, then cook the polenta and place it into a container lined with plastic. Make sure the plastic overflows the container edges.
- Place the cooked polenta in the container and let it chill and solidify in the fridge.
- Take out the chilled polenta. Wrap it tightly once with the plastic wrap and again with the aluminum foil. Wrap and fold the foil around the corners as such that the polenta maintains its shape.
- Place the double wrapped polenta in an airtight container or a freezer bag.
Effects of freezing on polenta
Polenta responds well to freezing unless other perishable ingredients like milk and cream are not added. If the polenta has been cooked with milk and cream, it deteriorates the quality to some extent when the polenta is thawed because the milk solids solidify and form grains on freezing. They separate out from the milk liquid upon thawing.
Bulk frozen polenta will suffer greater textural changes as compared to the smaller chunks especially if it had been cooked with dairy ingredients. When bulk polenta is thawed, it leaves you with milk and oil separation.
Other FAQs about Polenta which you may be interested in.
How to thaw frozen polenta?
Always thaw your frozen polenta in the refrigerator. This would help make sure that your polenta suffers minimum textural damage. Take out as many pieces of the polenta from the freezer, remove the double wrap, and put it in a plate to defrost in the fridge.
Keep an eye on your polenta and pat dry the pieces with a paper towel if they look wet. Removing the wrap is important so that you do not end up with the pieces having water inside them.
Use thawed polenta for desserts, stir-fry it with cheese, and serve with meat. Bake or grill it, top with cheese and serve with a dip.
What are the different types of polenta?
Bramata polenta
It is made with stone-milled corn flour and has medium-sized grains. It has a rusty. It is a very popular Italian polenta and is boiled and fried with butter for a rich taste.
Fioretto polenta
It is a very creamy polenta with a golden hue to it and is perfect for baking.
Bianca polenta
Bianca polenta has a white creamy texture and a delicate flavor hence goes well with the seafood.
Taragna polenta
This type is made by mixing cornmeal with buckwheat, hence an enhanced nutritional value. This rough and grainy polenta has a distinctive flavor and goes well with saucy and savory foods.
Integrale polenta
This corn used to make this type of polenta is un-refined therefore integrale offers a coarser appearance, intricate flavors, and a lot of nutrients.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered If polenta can be frozen, and how to defrost frozen polenta along with its different types.
