How to Freeze Your Harvest
Freeze veggies in small portions – think individual bags inside a larger one – so you can grab just what you need. Don’t forget to write the date (month and year) on the package!
By Julie Martens
For simplicity and speed, it’s tough to beat freezing for preserving your garden’s homegrown goodness. Frozen vegetables, fruits, and herbs boast fresh-picked flavors long after the growing season ends. In fact, of all the food preservation methods, freezing is the best at keeping your produce’s color, quality, and nutrients. What’s more, you probably already have all the tools you need to get started.
What you can freeze
Most vegetables, including artichokes, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, corn, onions, eggplant, sweet peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, summer and winter squash, and tomatoes; fruits such as melons and strawberries; and nearly all herbs.
Freeze vegetables and herbs using items you already have on hand: ice cube trays, plastic containers with tight fitting lids, and zipper-type freezer bags.
Equipment you may need
• Containers or freezer bags. Choose materials that are durable, leak-proof, and easy to seal and label. Bags provide flexible storage that makes great use of freezer space. Straight-edged containers boast more space-efficient storage than round ones.
• Ice cube trays for freezing herbs or small quantities of prepared foods, such as pesto, tomato paste, caramelized onions, or winter squash or pumpkin puree.
• A large pot and a large bowl for blanching.
Picking and prepping produce
Start with the freshest produce possible. It’s okay to remove small spots from food, but if decay has spread into the item, don’t freeze it. Peak vegetable ripeness lingers roughly 6 to 12 hours after harvest, so try to freeze food within that window if possible. Be sure to rinse and dry produce before freezing.
Blanching
Most vegetables and some herbs need to be blanched before freezing. Blanching means to scald in hot water for a brief time, then plunge into ice water to halt the cooking process. This neutralizes the enzymes that cause decay, slows vitamin loss, and brightens color. (Blanching spinach, for example, is what allows you to pull beautiful green, flavorful leaves instead of a slimy, darkened blob, from the freezer.) The process also helps remove any dirt and organisms on produce. Most recipes will tell you how long to blanch the produce. Not using a recipe? Check out this guide to blanching times from the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP).
A few vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and tomatoes, don’t require blanching. These items can be frozen whole, sliced, or diced; freeze individual pieces on a tray, or pack them into flexible freezer bags. Tomatoes can be frozen with the skins on; when taken from freezer, the skins will slip off as the tomatoes thaw. Grated zucchini can also be frozen without blanching.
When you want fresh chives, simply slice a portion from the end of the “cigar,” then pop the rest back in the freezer.
Freezing herbs
Frozen, homegrown herbs infuse dishes with amazing flavor at a fraction of the cost of store-bought dried herbs. Rinse and dry herbs, then freeze using one of these methods. Store in the freezer for up to a year:
• Spread whole or chopped leaves on a paper towel- or parchment-lined tray, freeze for 24 hours, then pack loosely in freezer bags. This works well with herbs such as dill, rosemary, and thyme. When freezing thyme, leave the stems on during the initial freezing process, then toss the stems lightly and the leaves should fall right off.
• For delicate-leaved herbs like basil or oregano, mix with a little olive oil in a blender or food processor to create a slurry, then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Or, freeze the leaves in water in the trays, then toss cubes into soups, stews, or sauces.
• Parsley, chives, cilantro, sage, and tarragon leaves are easy to retrieve from the freezer when rolled like cigars. Place the leaves into the bottom of a freezer bag, then roll it up, removing air as you roll. Secure the roll with rubber bands. To use herbs, slice a chunk from the frozen “cigar”.
• Place whole mint leaves in ice cube trays and fill halfway with water. Freeze for two hours, then top with additional water to create a beautiful ice-encased leaf to chill your favorite beverages.
Turn all that extra basil into pesto before you freeze it for a thaw-and-go pasta or pizza topping.
Helpful freezing tips
• Cool food before freezing to help retain natural flavors and colors, and to speed the freezing process.
• Pack food into containers tightly, removing as much air as possible.
• Unless food is loosely packed (e.g. chopped peppers or onions, broccoli florets, etc.), leave head space to allow for expansion after freezing.
• Use freezer tape to seal loose-fitting lids.
• Plan to use frozen harvest within 8 to 12 months. To savor best flavor, follow the NCHFP’s guide to freezer shelf life.
• Freeze food in appropriate portion sizes. Herbs or flavorful purees work well frozen in small doses; vegetables tend to be most useful when divided into single meal-sized portions.
• Consider pre-cooking items you’re planning to freeze in ways that will speed up meal prep down the road. For instance, caramelize onions, slow-roast tomatoes, cook and puree squash, and roast garlic before freezing.
Freeze veggies in small portions – think individual bags inside a larger one – so you can grab just what you need. Don’t forget to write the date (month and year) on the package!
By Julie Martens
For simplicity and speed, it’s tough to beat freezing for preserving your garden’s homegrown goodness. Frozen vegetables, fruits, and herbs boast fresh-picked flavors long after the growing season ends. In fact, of all the food preservation methods, freezing is the best at keeping your produce’s color, quality, and nutrients. What’s more, you probably already have all the tools you need to get started.
What you can freeze
Most vegetables, including artichokes, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, corn, onions, eggplant, sweet peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, summer and winter squash, and tomatoes; fruits such as melons and strawberries; and nearly all herbs.
Freeze vegetables and herbs using items you already have on hand: ice cube trays, plastic containers with tight fitting lids, and zipper-type freezer bags.
Equipment you may need
• Containers or freezer bags. Choose materials that are durable, leak-proof, and easy to seal and label. Bags provide flexible storage that makes great use of freezer space. Straight-edged containers boast more space-efficient storage than round ones.
• Ice cube trays for freezing herbs or small quantities of prepared foods, such as pesto, tomato paste, caramelized onions, or winter squash or pumpkin puree.
• A large pot and a large bowl for blanching.
Picking and prepping produce
Start with the freshest produce possible. It’s okay to remove small spots from food, but if decay has spread into the item, don’t freeze it. Peak vegetable ripeness lingers roughly 6 to 12 hours after harvest, so try to freeze food within that window if possible. Be sure to rinse and dry produce before freezing.
Blanching
Most vegetables and some herbs need to be blanched before freezing. Blanching means to scald in hot water for a brief time, then plunge into ice water to halt the cooking process. This neutralizes the enzymes that cause decay, slows vitamin loss, and brightens color. (Blanching spinach, for example, is what allows you to pull beautiful green, flavorful leaves instead of a slimy, darkened blob, from the freezer.) The process also helps remove any dirt and organisms on produce. Most recipes will tell you how long to blanch the produce. Not using a recipe? Check out this guide to blanching times from the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP).
A few vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and tomatoes, don’t require blanching. These items can be frozen whole, sliced, or diced; freeze individual pieces on a tray, or pack them into flexible freezer bags. Tomatoes can be frozen with the skins on; when taken from freezer, the skins will slip off as the tomatoes thaw. Grated zucchini can also be frozen without blanching.
When you want fresh chives, simply slice a portion from the end of the “cigar,” then pop the rest back in the freezer.
Freezing herbs
Frozen, homegrown herbs infuse dishes with amazing flavor at a fraction of the cost of store-bought dried herbs. Rinse and dry herbs, then freeze using one of these methods. Store in the freezer for up to a year:
• Spread whole or chopped leaves on a paper towel- or parchment-lined tray, freeze for 24 hours, then pack loosely in freezer bags. This works well with herbs such as dill, rosemary, and thyme. When freezing thyme, leave the stems on during the initial freezing process, then toss the stems lightly and the leaves should fall right off.
• For delicate-leaved herbs like basil or oregano, mix with a little olive oil in a blender or food processor to create a slurry, then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Or, freeze the leaves in water in the trays, then toss cubes into soups, stews, or sauces.
• Parsley, chives, cilantro, sage, and tarragon leaves are easy to retrieve from the freezer when rolled like cigars. Place the leaves into the bottom of a freezer bag, then roll it up, removing air as you roll. Secure the roll with rubber bands. To use herbs, slice a chunk from the frozen “cigar”.
• Place whole mint leaves in ice cube trays and fill halfway with water. Freeze for two hours, then top with additional water to create a beautiful ice-encased leaf to chill your favorite beverages.
Turn all that extra basil into pesto before you freeze it for a thaw-and-go pasta or pizza topping.
Helpful freezing tips
• Cool food before freezing to help retain natural flavors and colors, and to speed the freezing process.
• Pack food into containers tightly, removing as much air as possible.
• Unless food is loosely packed (e.g. chopped peppers or onions, broccoli florets, etc.), leave head space to allow for expansion after freezing.
• Use freezer tape to seal loose-fitting lids.
• Plan to use frozen harvest within 8 to 12 months. To savor best flavor, follow the NCHFP’s guide to freezer shelf life.
• Freeze food in appropriate portion sizes. Herbs or flavorful purees work well frozen in small doses; vegetables tend to be most useful when divided into single meal-sized portions.
• Consider pre-cooking items you’re planning to freeze in ways that will speed up meal prep down the road. For instance, caramelize onions, slow-roast tomatoes, cook and puree squash, and roast garlic before freezing.
Today at 8:08 am by Rocky
» MM&C 4/25/24 National Bank of Iraq goes live with Temenos core banking and payments
Today at 8:06 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Today at 8:06 am by Rocky
» A banking official indicates a "danger" to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars
Today at 7:55 am by Rocky
» With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the tabl
Today at 7:45 am by Rocky
» Within a month... an Iranian border crossing recorded a noticeable increase in exports of goods to I
Today at 7:44 am by Rocky
» The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to c
Today at 7:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki's coalition presents a third candidate for the position of governor of Diyala
Today at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Arab gathering: The Kirkuk problem is getting complicated and the Sudanese must intervene
Today at 6:56 am by Rocky
» Next week.. a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to meet with the Minister of Finance
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Under the pretext of salaries... Al-Party refrains from handing over port revenues to Baghdad
Today at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: For the first time, we are witnessing a clear targeting of depriving half of t
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes
Today at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Applicants for the 2024 Hajj are demanding that the Central Bank secure the dollar for them through
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports rise despite OPEC+ cuts
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» A study explodes a "surprise"... Iraq is among the countries that export oil to "Israel": How is the
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Araji emphasizes working to strengthen national identity
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani visits Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq is talking about producing one million additional liters of gasoline
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers approves the implementation of the Baghdad Metro project
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Minister of Commerce: We formed a joint economic committee with Türkiye
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Baghdad will continue to send salaries to the region’s employees until settle
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian describes the corruption of Iraqi ports as “ghouls” and reveals the involvement of
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Obelisk Hour: Basra is the subject of political conflict and ambiguity over the fate of the funds al
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Turkmen leader: An agreement on the local government of Kirkuk is near
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Anbar calls for the operation of its factories despite financial obstacles
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Turki: The crisis of the Presidency of Parliament prompted the Sunnis to amend the Council’s interna
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The Agriculture Committee confirms the existence of Iraqi-Turkish-Iranian discussions on water
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Resources diagnose the challenges facing the water file in Iraq
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament pledges to the Interior Ministry: We will transfer money to buy weapons from citizens
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Issawi is the closest.. Parliament sets the date for deciding the choice of the new president
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq's investments have risen and need a comprehensive review of previous years
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Iraqis consume 7 billion eggs annually and import about $900 million
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» The Iranian role complicates attempts at open cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Turkey is trying
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Move in Iran to obtain $242 billion from Iraq in compensation for the eight-year war
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» 12 decisions from the Council of Ministers regarding the Baghdad Metro and Najaf-Karbala train proje
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The path to development has begun... the Baka and the militias “we silence them wi
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Not from Kurdistan.. How did Iraq become a source of oil for “Israeli tanks”?
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture criticizes the Sudanese and Erdogan agreement: Türkiye will control water
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government issues new decisions
Yesterday at 2:35 pm by Rocky
» The story of “reduced oil” to Jordan, from “compulsion” to mutual benefit.. Is there a loss?
Yesterday at 2:33 pm by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers takes 12 decisions for the Baghdad Metro and the Najaf-Karbala train
Yesterday at 2:32 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/23/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - Development Road Project - Saviour of Global Banking
Yesterday at 10:18 am by Rocky
» Kidney from pig transplanted into deathly ill New Jersey woman — and begins working almost immediat
Yesterday at 10:15 am by Bama Diva
» The most difficult option.. Warnings of the danger of floating the Iraqi dinar without achieving an
Yesterday at 9:48 am by Rocky
» Trade from the “Economic Committee” with Türkiye: It will overcome all obstacles facing the traders
Yesterday at 9:46 am by Rocky
» Washington's hope for stable relations with Baghdad clashes with Iraqi parties' rejection of the Ame
Yesterday at 9:41 am by Rocky
» Karim Badr: Development is America’s will to kill silk
Yesterday at 9:36 am by Rocky
» Oil: Opening of a new port for liquid gas for vehicles in Baghdad
Yesterday at 9:33 am by Rocky
» A media advisor warns of corruption in a draft law on the Parliament’s agenda
Yesterday at 9:21 am by Rocky
» Economist: There is serious work to lift US sanctions on Iraqi banks
Yesterday at 9:16 am by Rocky
» Will the agreements signed with the US Treasury reflect positively on the exchange rates?
Yesterday at 7:52 am by Rocky
» Iraq continues its quest to join the World Trade Organization
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Iraq completes the completion of the files for the initial offer of goods and services to join the W
Yesterday at 7:50 am by Rocky
» Economist: Travelers' dollars are leaking into the parallel market...and this is what the Central Ba
Yesterday at 7:32 am by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: It is not permissible to force anyone to join any party, and the pol
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 7:27 am by Rocky
» America weakens Baghdad...and increases Kurdistan's military capabilities
Yesterday at 7:26 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government plans to build 10,000 schools throughout the country
Yesterday at 7:23 am by Rocky
» American threats close the Iraqi Stock Exchange at a loss
Yesterday at 7:21 am by Rocky
» Increase in external transfers at the Central Bank
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls on Britain to cancel restrictions on the entry of its companies into Iraq
Yesterday at 7:18 am by Rocky
» Planning and the European Union are discussing signing a number of agreements in the development, en
Yesterday at 7:16 am by Rocky
» Parliament talks about the mechanism for recovering smuggled funds and hints at the next stage
Yesterday at 7:13 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry: The number of completed national cards reached 37 million cards
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International: Violations of freedom and human rights continue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Reg
Yesterday at 7:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: The government is proceeding with the decision to raise the price of improved gas
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee in Basra to investigate violations of the port company and the local gover
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» Revealing the 10 most important American exports to Iraq
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» A noticeable increase in the rate of Iraq's import of Chinese cooling devices
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Working on projects without completing the infrastructure is a waste of money
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. Extending the deadline for registration procedures on plots of land
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» What is the main purpose of conducting the population census in Iraq?
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» A plan to transform Iraq from a barren land to green with 5 million trees
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Housing Fund announces the acceptance of more than 11 thousand loans through the Ur platform
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» The Bank of Baghdad is moving to increase its capital to 400 billion dinars
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» The electronic payment system will soon be adopted on Iraqi buses
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» “It threatens our interests and destroys our economy.” An Iraqi project “irritates” the Kuwaiti stre
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Warning from the Central Bank about “misuse of electronic payment cards”
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman are discussing sending capacities through the Gulf countries
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The fact that a decision was issued to deport Syrian workers from Iraq
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Rice comes first... America exports 10 foodstuffs worth more than 350 million dollars to Iraq
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» A sixth licensing round for gas exploration
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Baghdad is preparing to host the 50th session of the Arab Labor Conference
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Scientific symposium on the future vision of the tripartite budget
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Five conversion power stations enter service in Najaf
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Planning: Conduct a population census next November
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Experts: Spreading misleading information harms development and investment
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Economists call for tightening money laundering laws and port controls
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in Sudanese's visit to Anbar Governorate and preparations for cond
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Russia discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of information and artifi
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» With international and Arab participation. Diyala University hosts the International Specialized Sci
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» The Basra government discusses with a UN delegation support for owners of qualified companies to est
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Oil stabilizes amid signs of an economic slowdown in America
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» More than 11 thousand loans announced by the Housing Fund via the Ur platform
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian talks about the "tsunami of multinational begging" and identifies their crossing p
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Iraq alone possesses 9% of the world's reserves...a magical material to stimulate agriculture and th
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky