freezing veg

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Axie-Ali, Jul 3, 2010.

  1. Axie-Ali

    Axie-Ali Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    460
    Ratings:
    +1
    My allotment is now looking fab, and there are several things just a week or so away from ripeness, My worries now is that I can't eat it all and I dont want stuff growing old and tough on the plant before I get a chance to eat it.
    So, my question, Is there a rough guide to freezing veg, and what can and cannot be frozen. Also, do you need to blanche most veg before freezing or can it just be frozen as it comes?
    Thanks
     
    Axie-Ali, Jul 3, 2010
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,130
    Hi Alison, well I could sit here for hrs explaining so instead here are 2 very good list of what to do with what so have a peruse...
    HERE & HERE

    I think that is probably the best way.. :thumb: Happy freezing & eating of your produce then.. :thumb:
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 3, 2010
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. Axie-Ali

    Axie-Ali Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    460
    Ratings:
    +1
    these are superb sites, Thanks marley.
    I have saved them onto my favorites for future reference.
    thank you, I'm very excited about a winter of freshly frozen veg:thumb:
     
    Axie-Ali, Jul 3, 2010
    #3 Quote in Conversation
  4. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,130
    :thumb: You will really love it & notice the difference in flavour frozen or not.. It is a fantastic feeling as you experience your first winter still using your harvest of early in the year or even the year after if you have any l left.... Just enjoy savour & experience as it will never be the same again as it is the first time..!! :yho::thumb:
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 3, 2010
    #4 Quote in Conversation
  5. Axie-Ali

    Axie-Ali Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    460
    Ratings:
    +1
    thanks, can't wait :gnthb:
     
    Axie-Ali, Jul 3, 2010
    #5 Quote in Conversation
  6. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,130
    :thumb: Enjoy..!!
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 3, 2010
    #6 Quote in Conversation
  7. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    67,277
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +134,127
    Most freezing charts don't mention anything about tomatoes. You can't freeze tomatoes to then eat them raw but you can freeze them to use them for cooking.

    Don't even bother to wash them first but lay them on a tray and put them in the freezer. When they are frozen just put them in plastic bags.

    When needed for cooking (only do this just at the time you want to put them into the pan) fill a saucepan with hot water (straight from your hot tap - boiling is not necessary) and just drop the toms into it. About two minutes should be enough. The skins should then just slide off. If they are very tight just score the skin lightly with a knife and slide them off.

    The toms will still be fairly frozen and you can put them on a chopping board and, using a heavy knife, cut them into the size you want for cooking. This way you will be able to chop them without having tom juice running everywhere. It is actually much easier than skinnig unfrozen toms and chopping them. This is perfect for Italian plum tomatoes.
     
    shiney, Jul 4, 2010
    #7 Quote in Conversation
  8. Blueroses

    Blueroses Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,453
    Ratings:
    +2
    Interesting..... did I read on here that you can cut them in half ( tomatoes ) , freeze them and then when required just pop them under the grill ? Not tried it myself but im sure someone on here does this .
     
    Blueroses, Jul 4, 2010
    #8 Quote in Conversation
  9. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    67,277
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +134,127
    I wouldn't know about that :scratch:. I should think they would go a bit soggy or overcook on the top before the rest is defrosted. Worth a try, though :).
     
    shiney, Jul 4, 2010
    #9 Quote in Conversation
  10. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,130
    :thumb: I think they would disintegrate Blue, tomatoes are either best as shiney says or cook them a bit first & puree them is what I have found.. They are a soft fruit so when they defrost they mush..!!! :wink:
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 4, 2010
    #10 Quote in Conversation
  11. Blueroses

    Blueroses Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,453
    Ratings:
    +2
    Yes you would think so wouldnt you? I just remember reading that someone does it..... just been trying to find the thread ....
     
    Blueroses, Jul 4, 2010
    #11 Quote in Conversation
  12. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,130
    Oh & by the way, if I am freezing soft fruits or the like I spread them all out on a tray & open freeze them.. Once frozen you can knock them off the tray & bag up.. That way you can take out individual fruits as you want.. :wink: I also do that with peas & broad beans too if I have the space at freezing time..!!! :thumb:
     
    Marley Farley, Jul 4, 2010
    #12 Quote in Conversation
  13. Blueroses

    Blueroses Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,453
    Ratings:
    +2

    Yes I do that as well Marley Farley :thumb:
     
    Blueroses, Jul 4, 2010
    #13 Quote in Conversation
  14. redstar

    redstar Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2008
    Messages:
    7,831
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Domestic Goddess
    Location:
    Chester County, PA, USA, Plant zone 4 & 5
    Ratings:
    +12,418
    If you have basil to freeze. I like to put it in a blender or food processor minus stems with a little water and puree or chop fine then pour that muck in ice cube trays. Then when frozen break it out into freezer bags. So in the winter when I need basil I just grab a cube or two and toss it in.
     
    redstar, Jul 4, 2010
    #14 Quote in Conversation
  15. Alice

    Alice Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2006
    Messages:
    2,775
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Perthshire
    Ratings:
    +82
    I freeze my tomatoes the same way as Shiney and use them for soups, stews and curries in the winter.
    And yes, Blueroses, I also half some for cooking under the grill or popping in the oven for a few minutes if it's on anyway. Season and sprinkle with some herbs first.
    They don't come out as firm as fresh tomatoes but perfectly edible.
     
    Alice, Jul 4, 2010
    #15 Quote in Conversation
Loading...
Similar Threads - freezing veg
  1. taz

    freezing veg

    taz, May 22, 2007, in forum: Edible Gardening
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    569
    Time
    May 24, 2007
  2. Jiffy

    Freezing This Christmas Song - Racing to number one!!

    Jiffy, Dec 12, 2024, in forum: Off-Topic Discussion
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    954
    ricky101
    Dec 13, 2024
  3. Shaneoak

    freezing weather and spring flowers...

    Shaneoak, Apr 7, 2021, in forum: Other Plants
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    1,034
    Shaneoak
    Apr 17, 2021
  4. silu

    Re freezing Beetroot

    silu, Aug 15, 2016, in forum: Edible Gardening
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    668
    silu
    Aug 15, 2016
  5. Dips

    Imac screen flickering and freezing

    Dips, Nov 28, 2015, in forum: Computer Corner
    Replies:
    26
    Views:
    2,695
    Dips
    Dec 5, 2015

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice