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.