Hi Judy.. Whats the best way to freeze veggies ? Cook first then freeze or just freeze ? Also, people say not to wadh veggies and fruit unless consumed right away because bacteria can grow on them. Whats your opinion ? Thanks..
Hi! Actually there is no one answer for your question about freezing that works "across the board" with all fruits and vegetables. It really depends on what specific foods you're talking about. For instance, onions, bell peppers, and most fruits can be frozen raw. Of course, their texture when thawed will be soft, but color and flavor should be OK. On the other hand, it is highly recommended that green beans be blanched before being frozen. Blanching them (boiling them briefly, then quickly cooling them down in ice water) before freezing destroys enzymes that can cause them to age while in the freezer. Blanching green beans before freezing them preserves their flavor, color, and texture, so that when they are cooked later, you will have the quality of green bean that you expect. If you freeze green beans raw, without blanching them, they might be flavorless and mushy when later cooked. Regarding washing or not washing fruits and veggies in advance actually also depends on which ones you are talking about. For instance, never wash blueberries in advance. That is because they can develop mold very quickly when moisture is left on them. They should be left in their original containers (like the plastic containers with air holes in them) and in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. Then wash them and use them right away. The same goes for strawberries and other berries like blackberries and raspberries. Lettuce, on the other hand, can be washed in advanced, spun dry or patted dry with a cloth or paper towels, and stored in a container in the refrigerator. Then when you are ready to use some lettuce, you simply grab what you need and use it without having to give it a second wash. It's ready to be used whenever you want it. So, there is not one answer that applies to everything, sorry to say! That may explain why you've had some confusion about what to do. I hope my answer clears things up! Thanks for watching and asking. Best wishes to you and yours :)
Hi Judy..
Whats the best way to freeze veggies ?
Cook first then freeze or just freeze ?
Also, people say not to wadh veggies and fruit unless consumed right away because bacteria can grow on them.
Whats your opinion ?
Thanks..
Hi! Actually there is no one answer for your question about freezing that works "across the board" with all fruits and vegetables. It really depends on what specific foods you're talking about. For instance, onions, bell peppers, and most fruits can be frozen raw. Of course, their texture when thawed will be soft, but color and flavor should be OK. On the other hand, it is highly recommended that green beans be blanched before being frozen. Blanching them (boiling them briefly, then quickly cooling them down in ice water) before freezing destroys enzymes that can cause them to age while in the freezer. Blanching green beans before freezing them preserves their flavor, color, and texture, so that when they are cooked later, you will have the quality of green bean that you expect. If you freeze green beans raw, without blanching them, they might be flavorless and mushy when later cooked.
Regarding washing or not washing fruits and veggies in advance actually also depends on which ones you are talking about. For instance, never wash blueberries in advance. That is because they can develop mold very quickly when moisture is left on them. They should be left in their original containers (like the plastic containers with air holes in them) and in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. Then wash them and use them right away. The same goes for strawberries and other berries like blackberries and raspberries. Lettuce, on the other hand, can be washed in advanced, spun dry or patted dry with a cloth or paper towels, and stored in a container in the refrigerator. Then when you are ready to use some lettuce, you simply grab what you need and use it without having to give it a second wash. It's ready to be used whenever you want it.
So, there is not one answer that applies to everything, sorry to say! That may explain why you've had some confusion about what to do. I hope my answer clears things up! Thanks for watching and asking. Best wishes to you and yours :)