Do you have vegetables that you would like to freeze? Freezing vegetables allows you to have a supply of fresh vegetables on hand all year long. The process is simple, as long as you follow a few basic principles. Read on to learn how to freeze vegetables step by step.
How to Freeze Vegetables
This video walks go through how to freeze fresh vegetables so you can enjoy them all year. The first requirement listed in this video is to obtain a vegetable blanching timetable. (You can find this in step 2 below.) The narrator also provides a number of tips, such as using bottled water if you live in an area with hard water, as blanching in hard water can toughen vegetables.
Introduction
In a matter of minutes, you can safely freeze vegetables in season to keep on hand for the colder months. If you buy vegetables when they are plentiful and in season, not only will you likely save money, you'll be getting the freshest vegetables.
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables for Freezing
Select vegetables in good condition. Choose young and tender vegetables, without any bruises or damaged areas. Wash carefully, trim, and slice into serving size pieces.
Step 2: Blanch Vegetables
Freezing slows down decomposition, but doesn't stop it. To keep vegetables frozen longer, without degrading the quality, you need to briefly boil the vegetables. This is called blanching, and is done by bringing water to a boil, adding the vegetables, and letting them boil for several minutes. The vegetables should be immersed in cold water at the end of the blanching period. The amount of time each vegetable is blanched for depends both on the vegetable, and the size pieces it has been cut into.
- Asparagus: 1-1/2-4 minutes
- Basil: 1 minute
- Green beans: 2-4 minutes
- Broccoli: 3 minutes
- Brussels sprouts: 4 minutes
- Cabbage: 2-4 minutes
- Carrots: 2-5 minutes
- Cauliflower: 3-6 minutes
- Corn: 5 minutes
- Eggplant: 4 minutes
- Greens: 2 minutes
- Kohlrabi: 2-3 minutes
- Mushrooms: 3-5 minutes
- Okra: 3-5 minutes
- Peas: 1 1/2 minutes
- Summer squash: 3-4 minutes
Step 3: Cook Vegetables
Some vegetables should be fully cooked before freezing. These include:
Step 4: Freeze Raw
Step 5: Freeze Quickly
- Vegetables should be packed in small portions so that they will freeze quickly. Get as much air out of the containers as possible; vacuum sealing produces good results.
