We are all aware of the importance of eating fruits and vegetables regularly. They are a rich source of nutrients that help us stay healthy and fit. Growing fruits and vegetables in your own garden allow you to partake in the excellent benefits they offer. However, many organic items can’t survive at room temperature. They may rot over time and ruin all your hard work, which is associated with gardening. A good option to keep your fruits and vegetables safe for a long time is to freeze them. Unfortunately, not all organic foods do well in the cold storage unit. Here are the top fruits and vegetables that you can freeze and enjoy them for many weeks – or even months! – without a worry in the world.
1. Blueberries
Who doesn’t love blueberries? Not only do they taste delightful, but they offer an array of health benefits, too. Blueberries are known as the King of Antioxidant Foods because they have the maximum amount of antioxidants than all common fruits and vegetables out there. They protect the heart, lower blood pressure, slow aging, and eliminate cancer symptoms from the body.
When stored in the freezer, the berries can last up to a year, which means you can enjoy them in any season you like. You can use blueberries for making ice cream or topping for cereals or oatmeal. When freezing blueberries, use a cookie sheet to spread an even layer of blueberries and store them in your refrigerator. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
2. Peppers
You’ll be glad to find out that a large variety of peppers can freeze while retaining their optimum flavor and texture. The best part? You don’t have to go the extra mile to ensure the veggies remain ideal for use. Freezing your bell peppers depend on how you want to utilize them afterward. For instance, if you want to cook stuffed peppers in the future, you can freeze the bell peppers whole. Keep in mind that the whole peppers will need more space than diced peppers, so make sure you have enough storage in the freezer.
Freezing bell peppers is as simple as it gets. All you have to do is remove the stems and seeds. Cut the vegetable as you prefer and spread it on a tray. Make sure the peppers are kept at a distance from one another. Later, when the peppers are firm enough, put them in a freezer-proof bag.
3. Strawberries
Another fruit that can freeze well and maintain its freshness for a long is none other than strawberries. These juicy bright red fruits are loved by both adults and children alike, so growing them in bulk will never be a bad idea. You can enjoy the sweet berries in many forms – ice cream, jams, and shakes.
Never store strawberries directly into a freezer. First, place them on a lined baking sheet and place them in a freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. Once the berries are solid, store them in a freezer-friendly container. You can store strawberries as a whole, crushed, sliced, or juiced – whatever suits you. Like blueberries, strawberries can also last for almost a year.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a staple in any dish, whether it is a burger, pizza, spaghetti, casserole, stews, soups, you name it. They are utilized in many forms – as a whole, diced, or gravy. The moist, flavorsome vegetable is packed with dietary nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They also help lower the risk of cancer and common heart diseases.
You don’t need to blanch tomatoes to store them safely in a freezer. Always cut them in the desired shape before freezing. Make sure to cut away the core and stem and use proper freezer bags. When it comes to freezing tomato gravy, use ice cube trays or a freezer-safe jar/container.
5. Cucumbers
The soothing fresh veggie is best eaten raw or in a salad with dressings. It boasts an excellent nutritional profile with nutrients such as copper, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins B, C, and K. Unfortunately, you can’t grow cucumbers in your garden in winter. But the good thing is you can store them in your freezer for winter cooking. Simply put, the whole cucumbers directly from your garden in an air-tight container, a glass jar, or a regular zip-top bag. When the time comes to use them, take the frozen cucumbers out of the freezer and defrost them. Usually, defrosting can take from a couple of hours to an entire day.
6. Garlic
This is another garden item you can easily freeze. Garlic is a commonly-used ingredient in every household. Much like tomatoes, it’s universally loved for its unique flavor. The addition of garlic in any recipe can take the dish to another level.
Ideally, garlic needs a dry, cool spot to grow where it can receive regular air circulation. Even in a freezer, the nutty vegetable can store pretty well and for months on end. Consider freezing garlic when it starts to feel soft. Firstly, peel the garlic you want to freeze, chop it well, and tuck away into sizeable bags in the freezer. You can also store garlic in a liquid form using an ice cube tray or a glass jar/container.
These are the top 6 garden items you can freeze easily at home. In this way, you can relish in all these nutritional and flavorsome fruits and vegetables all year long. Other than these options, you can also freeze onions, kale, asparagus, spinach, corn, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts.
