Storing fresh vegetables??? page

[BlkSabbath74]

Well, gardening season is here and we have expanded our vegetable garden by about double.

Fresh vegetables being expensive, I am looking for a way to effectively store the excess vegetables for the fall/winter, preferably in a way that will cause the least loss of nutrients.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Nady]

I freeze mine~ keep it in the garden as long as possible, but when it's time to plant the next season's crop, I freeze whatever is left. Pretty basic~ Freezing Vegetables I use Ziploc freezer bags because I can store them flat. It's easier than bulky containers.

[Daphne]

I freeze and can mine. Herbs usually get dried and jarred.

[NorthernMonkeyGirl]

winter squash can be stored in a cool dry place, roots can be stored in damp sand / potatoes in sacks, again in a cool dark place. Then freeze or dry the rest.
That's my plan, anyway!

[BlkSabbath74]

Thanks for the info...so how do you handle blanching? I'll probably try to steam blanch.

[namelesswonder]

I have not blanched veggies myself, but from what I've read: boil water and keep a bowl of ice water on the side, cut up your veggies and toss them in to the boiling water (not so many that the water stops boiling though), check every 30 sec till they're done & toss into the ice water to stop the cooking process until they're cool. Freeze and reheat when you're ready for them. I keep meaning to do this with green beans as a trial and never do!

[BlkSabbath74]

So you can get away with not blanching and just freezing them?

I'm just hesitant to get them into boiling water...

[Nady]

So you can get away with not blanching and just freezing them?

I'm just hesitant to get them into boiling water...

Depends on the veggie~ which ones are you planning to freeze?

[BlkSabbath74]

Well, we'll have squash, zuchini, eggplant, okra (which I know I can just throw in a bag because I froze alot last year) but our biggest yield will be tomatoes & peppers.

[Nady]

I've made and frozen Smothered Okra with tomatoes, peppers and onion~ tomatoes and zucchini make a good side-dish and freezes well. Also, salsa can be made ahead and frozen. You can either add these to soups/stews or add meat and serve as a main dish.