Expensive Mark,
Your web site impressed me to affix a CSA this previous 12 months, and I’m trying ahead to frequenting my native farmers’ market once more this summer time. I completely love all of the produce picks, however this has opened my eyes to how restricted I’m within the late fall/winter by what’s often obtainable (and inexpensive) within the grocery retailer. (I dwell within the Northern Plains.) I’d like to start fascinated about freezing some gadgets to take pleasure in them post-season. What suggestions do you’ve for doing this? Thanks!
Thanks for the query! You’re right—as unbelievable as it’s to take pleasure in contemporary veggies and fruits when they’re in season, it’s sensible to stay up for the “scarcer” months. Among the finest methods to hold over the season’s finest, in fact, is freezing. (Grok would’ve traded lots of hides for a deep freeze chest….) This 12 months, as you load up on seasonal produce within the spring, summer time, and early fall, listed here are a couple of options and sources for the very best freezer prep and storage methods.
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Set Up
Choose your freezer area
First off, I’d extremely suggest investing in a deep freezer. You’ll be able to actually make use of the freezer compartment of your fridge, but it surely’s usually a restricted area and doesn’t keep as persistently chilly as a deep freezer chest. (For finest outcomes, freezers needs to be stored at 0° Fahrenheit or much less. A easy freezer gauge can provide you an correct studying.) Though gadgets ought to nonetheless final a variety of months, you aren’t going to get the identical longevity utilizing your fridge freezer (8-12 months for many produce when correctly prepped and packaged).
If you happen to’re nervous about preliminary value, remember the fact that there are many good used deep freezers on the market. Examine scratch and dent gross sales, classifieds, and Craigslist for starters. And likewise remember the fact that you’ve the potential to recoup a lot of that cash throughout the first 12 months alone, relying on how a lot you select to freeze (produce, meats, and so on.). It’s cheaper to purchase good high quality produce in season and make it final by a lot of the winter than it’s to purchase your full produce wants within the low season. Whenever you add the financial savings of cowpooling or different bulk meat/poultry/sport storage, it received’t be lengthy earlier than your freezer can pay for itself.
Storage options for produce
As for wraps, luggage, and such, don’t skimp. You’ll want high-quality storage to maintain out moisture. Lined freezer paper and freezer tape can work for “dry” packing produce. Another choice, significantly for purees or fruits that will probably be saved with juice, is freezer-appropriate canning jars. Many individuals discover it extra handy to make use of plastic freezer luggage (both the Ziploc variety or the self-cut variety that requires a warmth sealer).
In any case, the freezer wrap or luggage needs to be freezer-designated and vapor proof in addition to pliant. The thought right here is to mould the packaging as near the define of the meals as potential to take away trapped air and to stop the change of moisture. If the merchandise is allowed to offer off its personal moisture, freezer burn will set in—these brownish, powerful, odd-tasting areas on thawed veggies. Spare your produce the calamity and your self the frustration (and misplaced cash) by investing just a little further change in good storage options.
Prep the Produce
Deciding on contemporary produce
For the sake of style and vitamins, you’ll need the freshest produce you may get your palms on. If you happen to’re not a gardener your self, the following neatest thing may be present in CSA packages or farmers’ markets, as you’ve found. Objects are usually picked inside a day or perhaps a few hours of sale/distribution.
Washing and making ready the product to freeze
Wash, lower, peel and prep as wanted. (The smaller the items, the extra tightly you’ll be able to pack your produce.)
Almost all greens will must be blanched earlier than freezing. (A number of like candy potatoes and pumpkin needs to be completely cooked earlier than freezing.) The short shot in boiling water or steam will halt the enzyme motion chargeable for pure decomposition. Too little, and also you run the danger of not shutting down the enzyme exercise (perhaps even accelerating it). An excessive amount of, and also you is likely to be sacrificing vitamins in addition to texture and style. A quick “shock” in ice water instantly after blanching will maintain the gadgets from cooking additional.
The timing on blanching, nonetheless, is a fragile dance. Try this useful resource for particular blanching instances for various greens. If you happen to select to “steam blanch,” the instances are usually 1.5 instances the size of conventional blanching.
Ideas for freezing produce
A number of different notes to remember:
- You received’t want lots of sophisticated tools, just a few massive pots, bowls, tongs, towels, and perhaps wire baskets.
- Though microwave blanching may go for small batches that will probably be eaten in a brief time period, many consultants suggest in opposition to it for long-term freezing. There’s doubt that it halts all enzyme exercise.
- Sure fruits like apples, peaches, avocado, and pears needs to be saved with ascorbic acid to stop discoloration. You may also think about it for greens like artichokes and candy potato to keep up peak shade.
Package deal Properly and Freeze Quick
Tips on how to freeze vegatables and fruits
As soon as the greens and fruits are appropriately prepped, cooked/blanched, and cooled, enable them to completely drain and dry. Kitchen towels or paper towels can velocity up the method, particularly for sure intact gadgets like inexperienced beans or entire berries.
Some fruits like apples and nectarines are inclined to freeze higher with juice, however most greens and lots of fruits may be packed with none juice. After draining, you’ll be able to tightly pack them in freezer luggage or wrap and frozen of their bulk packaging. (Sugar or syrup packing is usually advisable for fruit, however a small quantity of juice and ascorbic acid can work simply as nicely.)
When you’ve got area, it’s a good suggestion to freeze vegatables and fruits in a single layer on a tray first, then instantly pack them in luggage or wrap. This retains them from clumping collectively and makes it simpler to take away parts.
Cooked purees may be saved in massive containers, but it surely’s even higher to make use of silicone ice dice trays or containers designed particularly for freezing single servings. This works particularly nicely for child meals, the place you solely need to thaw a small quantity at one time.
Organizing frozen produce within the freezer
After getting your packages loaded and prepared for storage, stack up already frozen gadgets and transfer them to at least one facet of your freezer. Unfold the brand new packages throughout the open areas to encourage speedier freezing, which can discourage freezer burn and assist protect style.
Have your individual suggestions for freezing spring and summer time’s harvest? Want canning or fermenting to freezing? Favourite makes use of in your frozen shops? As all the time, thanks in your questions and feedback, and maintain ‘em coming!
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