Fresh vegetables are one of the most wonderful components of a healthy diet –but all too often when you buy fresh produce, some vegetables will inevitably go bad before you have a chance to eat them.
When you freeze vegetables for storage, you’ll make the most of your food budget, reduce waste and build up a supply of vegetables.
Don’t worry about waste the next time you catch a great deal on your favorite veggies! Simply freeze vegetables for storage and they’ll be on-hand whenever you need them.
(Did you know that Xtrema non-toxic cookware is one of the only types of cookware that can go from stove to freezer? Find out more with our cookware comparison chart here.)
Step by Step Guide to Freezing Vegetables for Storage:
- Wash and prep the produce. Clean veggies thoroughly in cold water. Peel, trim, and/or cut into serviceable pieces. Not sure what sizes to use? Just think about the bags of frozen veggies you pick up at the store.
- Blanch veggies. Blanch in a saucepan or pot of boiling water or steam until produce is just slightly tender. You don’t want them to fully cook, but they won’t freeze well when raw, either.
- Use an ice bath. After blanching, make sure to stop the cooking process quickly with an ice bath. This will ensure that your veggies aren’t overcooked before placing them into the freezer.
- Prepare your vegetables for freezer storage. There are a few options for prepping your vegetables. Place cooled produce immediately into bags. Pre-freeze on trays to ensure that they don’t clump together. For some vegetables and herbs, another option is to blend and freeze in an ice cube tray. Whichever you choose, be sure that when you are freezing vegetables for storage, you select a container with a good seal or use freezer storage bags with as much air removed as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label with dates. Clearly label your produce and be sure to include the date it was packaged. Frozen vegetables are at their best when used within 8-12 months.
Note: When you are ready to use your frozen vegetables, cook them straight from the freezer. The quality will be far superior than if you allow them to thaw first.