Easy way to freeze fresh veggies and fruit

[lowcarbgirl]

I love to buy some fresh organic veggies and berries (esp. in summer at Pike Place Market YUM) but often found they went bad before I could possibly get to them all (living alone). So I found an easy way to freeze them well.

Method:

Place the veggie or berries in a good freezer bag and place them in freezer standing up (until they freeze). I found that the door works best for this as it easily keeps them standing up. So far everything has frozen just as well this way as with flash frozen from the store.

Hugs,
Willow

[Gaelen]

Actually, one of the best investments I made was a toaster-oven sized cookie sheet with sides, which fits neatly into a gallon zip-closed freezer bag. Line the sheet with waxed paper, put berries or sliced stone fruit on it in a flat single row, and then freeze solid, either wrapped in the ziploc bag or uncovered if you have a level spot in your freezer. They only take about three hours to freeze solid done this way.

When you freeze the berries or fruit slices in a single layer, then dump them into the storage bag after frozen solid, they won't stick together or lump up in the bag, and can be dispensed for use one piece/berry at a time.

I freeze fresh herbs in ziplocs, too, after washing and carefully spin-drying them. But be aware that the USDA preserving guidelines generally suggest quick blanching of all types of fresh vegetables prior to freezing, to preserve color/nutrients and prevent freezer burn longer. I've had the best luck freezing things like broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower and sweet peppers after blancing them for <1 minute. Onions and garlic, OTOH, can just be chopped and tossed directly into a freezer bag. Spaghetti squash (yes, you can freeze it!) won't go mushy if you only cook it part way through, and if you freeze it IN the squash shell.

[lowcarbgirl]

Gaelen,

Thanks for the further tips. Anything that helps me keep my fresh veggies longer. :D :D :D

hugs,
Willow