How to Freeze Petals of Roses
Use rose petals to make jam and jelly and garnish salads. Scented rose petals make a cooling and different lemonade. Rose petals appear in soap and perfume recipes as well. Preserve that bountiful crop of rose petals by freezing them for use during the fall and winter months. If the petals are for consumption, make sure they haven't been sprayed with pesticide.
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Things You'll Need
- Rose petals
- Scissors
- Bucket
- Ice Water
- Sink
- Colander
- Towel
- Aluminum foil
- Cookie Sheet
Instructions
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1
Pick the roses first thing before the morning dew has evaporated. Choose half open flowers. Cut the stems up to 18 inches long. You'll be giving the rose bush a light trimming every time you pick roses. Place the rose stems in a bucket of water you carry with you.
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2
Pull the petals gently off the flowers. If you plan on freezing the rose petals for food recipes, remove the narrow white strip that's at the base of the flower petal because it is bitter.
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3
Fill the sink with cold water. Add the rose petals and swish around in the water. Remove the petals by scooping them up. Put in a colander. Empty the sink, rinsing any dirt, debris or bugs down the sink. Repeat the rinsing three times. This may seem excessive but you don't want debris on the petals. Scooping the petals up rather than leaving the petals in the sink while you drain the water leaves the dirt in the sink.
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4
Shake the excess moisture off the petals while they are in the colander. Spread in one layer on a towel and pat as dry as possible.
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5
Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. This keeps any prior grease or crumbs from getting on the petals. Spread the petals on the sheet in a single layer.
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6
Place in the freezer until frozen. Remove and put in a freezer storage bag. Repeat until all petals are frozen and stored.
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Tips & Warnings
Freeze whole roses to garnish drinks. Place a rose in each of the compartments of an ice cube tray. Fill with water and freeze.
Don't use roses from the florist.
References
- Photo Credit pink roses in the water image by OMKAR A.V from Fotolia.com
