How Do You Prepare Excess Produce for Freezing?
Gardening is proving to be a great hobby for your parents. They have far too much produce to use each week. Why not freeze it for the winter months?
Elderly Care in Loudoun County VA: Freezing Excess Produce
Freezing excess produce is simple, but methods vary depending on the vegetable. Here are tips on how to freeze different vegetables for year-round usage.
Grate and Freeze
Zucchini, summer squash, and carrots are handy additions to soups and quick bread and muffins. You can grate these vegetables, squeeze out excess moisture, and place into freezer bags. Squeeze out the excess air, label the bag with the item and date, and put right in the freezer.
Freeze Whole
Berries are easy to freeze. Freeze them on baking sheets and transfer to bags once frozen. You can also do this with seedless grapes. When you need to use them, the texture will be softer, but they’re great in crisps and pies. You can use them frozen to make smoothies for breakfast.
Some vegetables can be frozen without any processing. They may lose some color when they’re cooked later. Carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and green beans are examples. When you don’t blanch them first, they will have a shorter shelf life. You should use them within a few months.
Blanch and Freeze
To hold the shape, color, and texture, many vegetables need to be blanched first. This is a process where you cook food for a short amount of time in boiling water and immediately move it to an ice water bath. Once cold and drained of excess water, move the item into freezer bags and put in the freezer.
Different vegetables need different times in the boiling water. Most need just two or three minutes. The larger the item, the more time it needs. For example, a whole small carrot needs five minutes, while sliced carrots need two. Whole corn on the cob needs seven to nine minutes, depending on the size. Peppers, onions, and peas only need about a minute.
Mash and Freeze
Potatoes, rutabaga, winter squash, and cauliflower can be cooked and mashed. Once cooled, move it to freezer bags and place in the freezer.
With a freezer full of produce, your parents’ grocery bill will be lower in the winter. Caregivers can help them cook healthy meals. Caregivers also help with housekeeping, laundry, and rides to and from
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Loudoun County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
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