Harvesting for the winter vegetables in the freezer. The main rules for freezing vegetables, fruits and herbs - how to prepare for freezing? What fruits can be frozen for the winter

18/12/2017 01:37

In an effort to preserve the freshness of products, many housewives freeze them for several days or even weeks in order to cook them later. But some food is strictly not recommended to be stored in freezer for a long time, since the sub-zero temperature negatively affects its taste and nullifies beneficial features.

Consider which foods can be frozen and how to do it correctly, and which should not be sent to the freezer.

20 Foods You Shouldn't Freeze

What can not be frozen:

  1. Canned food. There is no need to freeze because they will not go bad at room temperature. In the freezer, on the contrary, tin cans will swell, and in the future their contents will not be eaten.
  2. Eggs. This applies to both boiled and raw eggs in shell. After sub-zero temperatures, the product will lose its taste and acquire an unpleasant aroma.
  3. Meat that has already been defrosted. When re-frozen, it will not only lose its taste, but also become a source of many pathogenic bacteria.
  4. Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage. These vegetables contain a lot of water, so after freezing they will lose their original flavor and aroma.
  5. Strawberry, watermelon. Such berries will also deteriorate after a long sub-zero temperature.
  6. Yoghurts, kefir, sour cream. These fermented milk products can spoil even in the freezer and become a source of intestinal infections.
  7. Boiled pasta. After freezing, ready-made pasta is not suitable for human consumption.
  8. Sauces high in flour. The consistency of the product will deteriorate at sub-zero temperatures.
  9. Soft cheeses. After defrosting, pathogenic bacteria can begin to multiply in them.
  10. Melted ice cream. Such a product will not only lose its taste properties, but can also cause food poisoning.
  11. Coffee beans. After thawing, it will no longer be possible to brew, since the drink will not have its characteristic aroma.
  12. Mayonnaise. In the future, it will not be possible to use it for cooking, because the consistency will be loose and not thick enough.
  13. Rusks. It is undesirable to freeze such flour products, as their texture will become too soft, and therefore the products will be unsuitable for consumption.
  14. Warmed up meals. The steam that comes from hot food will ruin other foods in the freezer.
  15. Honey. The product will quickly become sugary and lose its useful properties.
  16. Onion and garlic. Firstly, they will become soft and unusable, and secondly, frost kills the vitamins contained in them.
  17. Chocolate. An ice coating forms on it, which, when melted, will spoil the product.
  18. Spices. In the cold, they will lose their flavor.
  19. Ginger root. All the beneficial properties, thanks to which the plant fell in love with many, disappear at sub-zero temperatures.
  20. Products in unsealed packaging. The food that you put in the freezer must be covered in tight plastic containers, otherwise the food will not only spoil quickly, but also transfer their odors to each other.

20 foods you can freeze

What foods can be frozen:

  1. Dough. If you still have leftover dough after making floury goodies, you can freeze it on parchment paper and use it later.
  2. Crisps. They must be frozen in the same package in which they were sold so that the product does not lose its taste.
  3. Hard cheese. After thawing, it will not deteriorate, and it will be easier to cut it.
  4. Fruits and berries with a low water content - bananas, pears, raspberries and others. AT winter time years, you can make a vitamin assortment from pieces of these products, since they do not lose their beneficial properties when frozen.
  5. Pancakes stuffed. You can prepare a tray of pancakes ahead of time and then toast them as needed without even defrosting them, or reheat them in the microwave.
  6. Meat in the marinade. It can be stored in the freezer for several months in a row. The main thing is to cook it immediately after defrosting.
  7. Creative casseroles. It will be enough to heat the product in the oven or microwave, after which it can be eaten.
  8. Cooked rice. In the future, it can be used as a side dish by frying in a pan.
  9. Pie. On the weekend, you can make more of the pie, and keep the remaining pieces in the freezer and, if necessary, reheat in the microwave.
  10. Herbs. They can be frozen either fresh or dried, and added to soups and broths throughout the year.
  11. Milk. It should be stored in a bottle that is not completely filled with liquid, since when frozen, the volume of liquid increases.
  12. Juices. Drinks will not lose their taste and aroma at sub-zero temperatures, but it is also worth remembering that you need to pour the liquid into a large bottle.
  13. Chopped vegetables. Pre-prepared peppers or eggplant from the freezer will help you cook soup and other dishes as quickly as possible.
  14. Lemons or oranges. These fruits can be cut into slices and saved for desserts.
  15. Bread. It can be stored in the freezer for no more than a week. After seven days it will be unfit for consumption.
  16. Tomato paste. The finished product can be poured into a bag for storing liquid, and later used for making soups.
  17. Mashed potatoes. It is not necessary to throw away the leftovers of this dish - it can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 months.
  18. Fish sticks. They can be stored for a long time at sub-zero temperatures. After defrosting, fry them in sunflower oil and serve.
  19. Wafers. To make them crispy again after defrosting, it is enough to heat them in the oven or in the microwave.
  20. Fried pies. They can be stored at sub-zero temperatures for no more than a month - then they lose their taste properties.

How to freeze food: useful tips

Before putting food in the freezer, you need to prepare it, because the wrong actions on your part can lead to quick spoilage of food.

Here are some tips for freezing a variety of foods:

  • It is better to cut meat and fish before freezing, and into large pieces - after defrosting it will be easier to cook them, and as for fish, it will be much more difficult to cut its carcass after freezing.
  • Before freezing, the meat must be washed, then dried with a towel.
  • Mushrooms, vegetables and fruits should also be thoroughly rinsed under running water before freezing, and then dried on a kitchen towel.
  • Products must be packed in airtight containers or bags so that they do not deteriorate in one freezer.
  • In bottles with juice, milk or other liquid, you should leave about three-quarters of the free space.
  • The finished dough must be frozen on parchment paper, as it may stick to the bag.
  • Vegetables should be immediately cut into pieces - in the future you can instantly use them for cooking various dishes, without waiting for defrosting.
  • Fresh herbs are especially relevant in winter. How to freeze it? Chop your favorite dill, parsley and other greens, distribute into ice molds and fill with water - it will be convenient to get such cubes to add, for example, to soups.
  • Hard cheese should be cut and put in a container, adding a little starch between the slices so that they do not stick together.
  • Ready-made baby puree should not be frozen in glass jars - it is better to pour it into a small plastic container and close it with an airtight lid.

This is how easy it is to prepare your favorite products at any time of the year. With proper preparation and freezing, you will be able to keep food fresh and not spoil it.

In this article, we will talk about how to prepare vegetables and fruits for the winter by freezing, how to rationally allocate storage space, and other freezing secrets.

What vegetables can be frozen for the winter: a list

You want to enjoy the generous gifts of nature in the form of vegetables, fruits and berries not only in summer, but also in winter. In supermarkets in winter, of course, you can buy if not all, then almost all types of fresh vegetables, berries or fruits, but their quality will not be the best.

You can also cook pickles, compotes, jams and other types of preparations in jars for the winter. However, this option is not suitable for everyone. Some housewives do not like to mess around in the kitchen for a long time, others do not have time. Also, pickles may not work out, many people know that cans with conservation sometimes explode. In addition, many simply do not have a place to store cans of conservation. And the very last argument - to keep all the vitamins in their original form will not work.


homemade vegetables

Many housewives prefer freezing vegetables. With a large freezer, you can prepare a variety of healthy and tasty vegetables. However, it will not be superfluous to learn about the tricks of freezing, so as not to accidentally get an appetizing gruel instead of healthy vegetables.

So, list of vegetables that can be frozen:

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Broccoli
  • Pumpkin
  • Cauliflower
  • Zucchini or zucchini
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Sweet and/or bell pepper
  • cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Green pea
  • eggplant
  • Mushrooms

Turnips, radishes, lettuce are not subject to freezing.

Most vegetables need to be blanched before freezing, that is, dipped in boiling water for a short time, and then quickly cooled. For example, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, asparagus beans, green pea, corn needs to be blanched.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms do not need to be immersed in boiling water. small Cherry tomatoes can be stored whole, just make a few punctures so that the fruit does not burst from frost. Large tomatoes can be sliced ​​or mashed. Cucumbers should also not be stored whole, cut them into small cubes or straws.


How to freeze vegetables properly?

You can also freeze potatoes, onions, carrots, beets. But it is worth considering whether it will be rational? The freezer is usually small, and seasonal vegetables cost mere pennies and are stored for a long time without cold. It is better to freeze something that you cannot buy in winter.

Vegetable mixes for the winter in packages: recipes

Vegetables must be washed and dried before freezing. Sealed containers or bags are suitable as containers. Tightness will prevent the absorption of foreign odors from nearby products. For example, dill gives off a strong odor that can be absorbed into other vegetables or berries.

It is convenient to freeze vegetable mixtures so that you can cook different dishes later. It is better to freeze the mixture in small portions, so as not to beat off a piece from the frozen mass later, but to take the finished portion at a time.

Mixed vegetable options:

  1. Corn, peas, bell pepper.
  2. Carrots, peas, green beans, red beans, corn, celery, peppers, corn.
  3. Onions, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes.
  4. Tomatoes, onions, peppers.

Important: Frozen vegetables and fruits can be stored in the freezer for no longer than a year.


Delicious mix of vegetables

Seasonings from vegetables for soups, salad, pasta, second courses: recipes for the winter

You can also freeze greens, which can then be added a little to soups, salads or main dishes.

  • Wash greens thoroughly and dry.
  • Then finely chop it.
  • First, freeze the greens in bulk, that is, spread them in a thin layer on the surface and freeze.
  • Once the herbs are frozen, place them in a tightly sealed bag.

Greens can be frozen in a combination of several types. For example:

  1. Dill + parsley for soups
  2. Dill + sorrel + onion feathers for green borscht
  3. cilantro + parsley + basil for salads

Important: Greens should be stored separately. Don't mix greens with other vegetables or the flavors will blend.


Sorrel for the winter: how to freeze

For soups the following vegetable mixture will do:

  • Green peas, carrots, onions, potatoes
  • Carrots, onions, potatoes, cauliflower
  • Cauliflower, corn, potatoes, carrots, onions
  • Sweet peppers, carrots, potatoes, onions

These same mixtures can be added to other dishes, such as risotto, ragout, vegetable casseroles.

Video: How to freeze greens for the winter?

A mixture of vegetables for freezing for stew: a recipe

You can enjoy healthy stew if you freeze:

  • Zucchini, zucchini
  • Bell pepper
  • Green pea
  • Cauliflower
  • tomatoes
  • Greens

Also, potatoes, onions, carrots, white cabbage are necessarily added to the stew.

A stew is a mixture of different vegetables, so you don't have to follow a strict recipe. If you do not have one ingredient, you can easily replace it with another. The main thing is to have several types of vegetables in the dish.

Important: Many are interested in the question, do I need to defrost vegetables before cooking? No, this cannot be done.

If you defrost vegetables, they will lose their shape during cooking and turn into mush. Therefore, send vegetables from the freezer to the pan immediately. They will remain in this way fragrant, beautiful and healthy.


Freezing mixed vegetables

Recipes for dressings for borscht for freezing for the winter

Borscht in winter will be many times tastier and healthier if you take care of the dressing in advance.

borscht dressing recipe:

  • Sweet peppers in thin strips
  • Diced onion
  • Carrots, shredded or grated
  • Beetroot straws
  • Tomato puree

It will be useful parsley and dill as spices, only store greens separately.

Wash, dry, chop, grate and mix all the ingredients. Pack the dressing in individual bags for one use only.

This method will help not only to cook fragrant borscht in winter, but also save the family budget.


Dressing for borscht for the winter

How to freeze stuffed peppers with vegetables?

Stuffed pepper- a tasty and healthy dish, but you can fully enjoy it only in the season, that is, in the fall. But if you freeze peppers, then you can cook your favorite dish at any time of the year.

Some housewives stuff peppers and then send them to the freezer. This method is good, but it takes up a lot of space in the freezer.

There is another way:

  1. Wash peppers, pat dry with paper towels
  2. Clean the fruit from the stalk and seeds
  3. Insert the fruits one into the other
  4. Lay the peppers in columns, carefully wrapping them in bags.

Pepper slices are suitable for salads, stews, soups and other dishes. It is much more convenient to store it in this form than whole.


Pepper for the winter

What vegetable mixtures to freeze in the freezer to feed a child for the winter?

If the family has infant, or replenishment is expected, a young mother should be puzzled by the preparation of home-made vegetables for feeding.

Complementary foods must be introduced at 5-6 months of the baby's life, if the child is breastfeeding. If the child eats an adapted mixture, then complementary foods should be introduced earlier - at the 4th month of life.

If this period falls on winter or spring time, then frozen vegetables will become a lifesaver during the introduction of complementary foods.

To feed your baby, you can freeze the following vegetables:

  1. Cauliflower
  2. vegetable marrow
  3. Broccoli
  4. Pumpkin

After the baby begins to eat mashed vegetables, you can introduce light vegetable soups in a small amount. To do this, freeze in advance:

  • Potato
  • Carrot

vitamins and naturalness - this is the most important advantage of freezing vegetables for feeding. Provided that you are sure that the vegetables have not been treated with chemicals, or grown in your own garden.


Vegetable puree for feeding

What fruits and berries can be frozen in the refrigerator freezer and freezer: list

You can freeze any fruits and berries:

  • Strawberry
  • strawberries
  • Blueberry
  • Blackberry
  • Cowberry
  • plums
  • apricots
  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Currant
  • Gooseberry

frozen berries

Should fruits be washed before freezing?

You can freeze in addition to vegetables, fruits and berries. Before sending them to the freezer, thoroughly wash and dry fruits and berries.

It is impossible to re-freeze fruits and berries. Firstly, they will turn into porridge, and secondly, they will lose all their useful properties.

How to freeze fresh fruits and berries for the winter?

You can make mashed berries and freeze in this form, with or without sugar - your choice.

Another way to freeze dry. Place prepared berries or fruits in a thin layer on a surface, for example, on a board. Freeze like this, then send the berries to the bag, releasing air from it.

Delicate berries such as strawberries and raspberries should preferably be stored in a container so that the berries are not damaged.

Apples can be cut into slices. Store small and fleshy fruits (plums, apricots, cherries) whole and with the pit.

Recipes for mixtures of fruits and berries for the winter

From frozen fruits and berries in winter, you can cook fragrant compotes, fruit drinks, add fruits to yogurt or porridge.

Remember that ripe and intact fruits should be frozen. Form small portions of berries and use one bag for one preparation.

Mixes of fruits and berries:

  • Strawberry, blackberry, raspberry
  • Plums, apricots, apples
  • Apples, apricots, raspberries
  • Cherry, apple, strawberry
  • Cherry, currant, raspberry
  • Strawberries, currants, cranberries

Important: Most modern refrigerators do not require defrosting, but if you need to do this, wrap the container with frozen vegetables and fruits in a thick blanket so that the blanks do not have time to defrost. In winter, freezing can be taken out to the street or to the balcony.


How to freeze fruit

Freezing fruits, berries and vegetables - profitable and fast way get everything in winter useful vitamins and enjoy the taste of summer. But do not forget to follow the rules of freezing in order to preserve the vitamins and taste. On this topic, you can watch a video and learn a lot of useful information about freezing vegetables and fruits.

Video: How to freeze greens, vegetables and fruits correctly?

In this article, we will talk about how to prepare vegetables and fruits for the winter by freezing, how to rationally allocate storage space, and other freezing secrets.

You want to enjoy the generous gifts of nature in the form of vegetables, fruits and berries not only in summer, but also in winter. In supermarkets in winter, of course, you can buy if not all, then almost all types of fresh vegetables, berries or fruits, but their quality will not be the best.

You can also cook pickles, compotes, jams and other types of preparations in jars for the winter. However, this option is not suitable for everyone. Some housewives do not like to mess around in the kitchen for a long time, others do not have time. Also, pickles may not work out, many people know that cans with conservation sometimes explode. In addition, many simply do not have a place to store cans of conservation. And the very last argument - to keep all the vitamins in their original form will not work.

homemade vegetables

Many housewives prefer freezing vegetables. With a large freezer, you can prepare a variety of healthy and tasty vegetables. However, it will not be superfluous to learn about the tricks of freezing, so as not to accidentally get an appetizing gruel instead of healthy vegetables.

So, list of vegetables that can be frozen:

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Broccoli
  • Pumpkin
  • Cauliflower
  • Zucchini or zucchini
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Sweet and/or bell pepper
  • cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Green pea
  • eggplant
  • Mushrooms

Turnips, radishes, lettuce are not subject to freezing.

Most vegetables need to be blanched before freezing, that is, dipped in boiling water for a short time, and then quickly cooled. For example, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, asparagus beans, green peas, corn needs to be blanched.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms do not need to be immersed in boiling water. small Cherry tomatoes can be stored whole, just make a few punctures so that the fruit does not burst from frost. Large tomatoes can be sliced ​​or mashed. Cucumbers should also not be stored whole, cut them into small cubes or straws.


How to freeze vegetables properly?

You can also freeze potatoes, onions, carrots, beets. But it is worth considering whether it will be rational? The freezer is usually small, and seasonal vegetables cost mere pennies and are stored for a long time without cold. It is better to freeze something that you cannot buy in winter.

Vegetable mixes for the winter in packages: recipes

Vegetables must be washed and dried before freezing. Sealed containers or bags are suitable as containers. Tightness will prevent the absorption of foreign odors from nearby products. For example, dill gives off a strong odor that can be absorbed into other vegetables or berries.

It is convenient to freeze vegetable mixtures so that you can cook different dishes later. It is better to freeze the mixture in small portions, so as not to beat off a piece from the frozen mass later, but to take the finished portion at a time.

Mixed vegetable options:

  1. Corn, peas, bell pepper.
  2. Carrots, peas, green beans, red beans, corn, celery, peppers, corn.
  3. Onions, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes.
  4. Tomatoes, onions, peppers.

Important: Frozen vegetables and fruits can be stored in the freezer for no longer than a year.


Delicious mix of vegetables

Seasonings from vegetables for soups, salad, pasta, second courses: recipes for the winter

You can also freeze greens, which can then be added a little to soups, salads or main dishes.

  • Wash greens thoroughly and dry.
  • Then finely chop it.
  • First, freeze the greens in bulk, that is, spread them in a thin layer on the surface and freeze.
  • Once the herbs are frozen, place them in a tightly sealed bag.

Greens can be frozen in a combination of several types. For example:

  1. Dill + parsley for soups
  2. Dill + sorrel + onion feathers for green borscht
  3. cilantro + parsley + basil for salads

Important: Greens should be stored separately. Don't mix greens with other vegetables or the flavors will blend.


Sorrel for the winter: how to freeze

For soups the following vegetable mixture will do:

  • Green peas, carrots, onions, potatoes
  • Carrots, onions, potatoes, cauliflower
  • Cauliflower, corn, potatoes, carrots, onions
  • Sweet peppers, carrots, potatoes, onions

These same mixtures can be added to other dishes, such as risotto, ragout, vegetable casseroles.

Video: How to freeze greens for the winter?

A mixture of vegetables for freezing for stew: a recipe

You can enjoy healthy stew if you freeze:

  • Zucchini, zucchini
  • Bell pepper
  • Green pea
  • Cauliflower
  • tomatoes
  • Greens

Also, potatoes, onions, carrots, white cabbage are necessarily added to the stew.

Stew is a mixture of different vegetables, so it is not necessary to follow a strict recipe. If you do not have one ingredient, you can easily replace it with another. The main thing is to have several types of vegetables in the dish.

Important: Many are interested in the question, do I need to defrost vegetables before cooking? No, this cannot be done.

If you defrost vegetables, they will lose their shape during cooking and turn into mush. Therefore, send vegetables from the freezer to the pan immediately. They will remain in this way fragrant, beautiful and healthy.


Freezing mixed vegetables

Recipes for dressings for borscht for freezing for the winter

Borscht in winter will be many times tastier and healthier if you take care of the dressing in advance.

borscht dressing recipe:

  • Sweet peppers in thin strips
  • Diced onion
  • Carrots, shredded or grated
  • Beetroot straws
  • Tomato puree

It will be useful parsley and dill as spices, only store greens separately.

Wash, dry, chop, grate and mix all the ingredients. Pack the dressing in individual bags for one use only.

This method will help not only to cook fragrant borscht in winter, but also save the family budget.


Dressing for borscht for the winter

How to freeze stuffed peppers with vegetables?

Stuffed pepper- a tasty and healthy dish, but you can fully enjoy it only in the season, that is, in the fall. But if you freeze peppers, then you can cook your favorite dish at any time of the year.

Some housewives stuff peppers and then send them to the freezer. This method is good, but it takes up a lot of space in the freezer.

There is another way:

  1. Wash peppers, pat dry with paper towels
  2. Clean the fruit from the stalk and seeds
  3. Insert the fruits one into the other
  4. Lay the peppers in columns, carefully wrapping them in bags.

Pepper slices are suitable for salads, stews, soups and other dishes. It is much more convenient to store it in this form than whole.


Pepper for the winter

What vegetable mixtures to freeze in the freezer to feed a child for the winter?

If the family has a baby, or replenishment is expected, the young mother should be puzzled by the preparation of homemade vegetables for complementary foods.

Complementary foods should be introduced at 5-6 months of the baby's life if the baby is breastfed. If the child eats an adapted mixture, then complementary foods should be introduced earlier - at the 4th month of life.

If this period falls on winter or spring time, then frozen vegetables will become a lifesaver during the introduction of complementary foods.

To feed your baby, you can freeze the following vegetables:

  1. Cauliflower
  2. vegetable marrow
  3. Broccoli
  4. Pumpkin

After the baby begins to eat mashed vegetables, you can introduce light vegetable soups in a small amount. To do this, freeze in advance:

  • Potato
  • Carrot

vitamins and naturalness - this is the most important advantage of freezing vegetables for feeding. Provided that you are sure that the vegetables have not been treated with chemicals, or grown in your own garden.


Vegetable puree for feeding

What fruits and berries can be frozen in the refrigerator freezer and freezer: list

You can freeze any fruits and berries:

  • Strawberry
  • strawberries
  • Blueberry
  • Blackberry
  • Cowberry
  • plums
  • apricots
  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Currant
  • Gooseberry

frozen berries

Should fruits be washed before freezing?

You can freeze in addition to vegetables, fruits and berries. Before sending them to the freezer, thoroughly wash and dry fruits and berries.

It is impossible to re-freeze fruits and berries. Firstly, they will turn into porridge, and secondly, they will lose all their useful properties.

How to freeze fresh fruits and berries for the winter?

You can make mashed berries and freeze in this form, with or without sugar - your choice.

Another way to freeze dry. Place prepared berries or fruits in a thin layer on a surface, for example, on a board. Freeze like this, then send the berries to the bag, releasing air from it.

Delicate berries such as strawberries and raspberries should preferably be stored in a container so that the berries are not damaged.

Apples can be cut into slices. Store small and fleshy fruits (plums, apricots, cherries) whole and with the pit.

Recipes for mixtures of fruits and berries for the winter

From frozen fruits and berries in winter, you can cook fragrant compotes, fruit drinks, add fruits to yogurt or porridge.

Remember that ripe and intact fruits should be frozen. Form small portions of berries and use one bag for one preparation.

Mixes of fruits and berries:

  • Strawberry, blackberry, raspberry
  • Plums, apricots, apples
  • Apples, apricots, raspberries
  • Cherry, apple, strawberry
  • Cherry, currant, raspberry
  • Strawberries, currants, cranberries

Important: Most modern refrigerators do not require defrosting, but if you need to do this, wrap the container with frozen vegetables and fruits in a thick blanket so that the blanks do not have time to defrost. In winter, freezing can be taken out to the street or to the balcony.


How to freeze fruit

Freezing fruits, berries and vegetables is a profitable and quick way to get all the useful vitamins in winter and enjoy the taste of summer. But do not forget to follow the rules of freezing in order to preserve the vitamins and taste. On this topic, you can watch a video and learn a lot of useful information about freezing vegetables and fruits.

Video: How to freeze greens, vegetables and fruits correctly?

With the advent of freezers, preparing food for the winter has become even easier and faster. For many housewives, frozen vegetables are becoming a favorite option for semi-finished products. We all know that frozen vegetables and fruits retain their beneficial and vitamin properties. In order for the products not to lose their taste and vitamins, you need to know the minimum amount general rules their frostbite.

General freezing rules

To begin with, it is worth exploring the capabilities of your freezer and the minimum temperature requirements for storing food:

  • at t -6C can be stored for 1-2 weeks;
  • at t -12C can be stored for 4-6 weeks;
  • at t -18C can be stored up to 4 months.

To freeze a particular product, you should follow a certain procedure:

  • sort, wash, drain and dry, remove the peel, pit or core of some products;
  • freeze in small batches of 250-300 grams;
  • The most convenient option for freezing is freezing in containers, it is most convenient to take rectangular containers. If there are not enough containers, then frozen vegetables can be stored in tight plastic bags. To do this, put the bag in a dry container, fill it, pack it tightly, close it, and after freezing, remove the contents from the container along with the bag (this option will help save space in the freezer).

Vegetables

Without exception, all vegetables can be frozen at home.

How to freeze the most popular vegetables:

  • Zucchini, squash. Cut into cubes or rub on a grater, put into bags, remove air, tie. They may not be cleaned. It is better to freeze zucchini circles by spreading them on a tray. Before this, the tray must be covered with cling film.
  • Pumpkin. Clean, cut into cubes, put into bags, remove air, tie.
  • cucumbers. Cut into cubes or small slices, put into bags, remove air, tie.
  • Cauliflower. Divided into inflorescences, laid out in bags, tied. Before freezing cauliflower you can blanch for 5 minutes and then refrigerate.
  • Brussels sprouts. Cabbage is divided into inflorescences, laid out in bags, tied.
  • bell pepper. The stalk and seeds are removed from the pepper, cut into pieces, laid out in bags, air is removed, tied. You can freeze whole peppers with or without stems.
  • Tomatoes. You can freeze whole, cut into slices or circles. To do this, they are laid out neatly in one layer on a plate, after laying the bag. Tomato juice can be frozen in ice cube trays.
  • Carrot. Rubbed on a coarse grater, laid out in bags, remove air, tied. Diced carrots can be blanched.
  • Table beets. Rubbed on a coarse grater, laid out in bags, remove air, tied.
  • eggplant. Peeled eggplants can be frozen in circles or cubes. Eggplants cut into cubes, laid out in bags, air removed, tied. The circles are placed on a flat plate covered with a plastic bag and only after freezing are laid out in bags and tied.
  • Black Eyed Peas. Peeled beans are cut into small pieces, laid out in bags, air is removed, tied.
  • Green pea. Before freezing, green peas must be blanched for a couple of minutes and held for 2-3 minutes. cold water. Let the water drain, dry with a paper towel. Put in a bag or container.
  • Corn. You can freeze whole cobs and grains of milky corn. Cobs are boiled for 20-30 minutes. After cooling, transfer to a bag. With grains, you can freeze raw corn or blanch for 6-7 minutes on the cob, and then carefully cut off the cooled grains.

Fruit

The most popular options for freezing fruit for the winter:

  • Apples. Cut into cubes, slices, circles. Small apples can be frozen whole, after removing the core. So that the apples do not darken, they must be kept for twenty minutes in water with citric acid. For puree, apples are peeled, cut into slices, boiled and chopped in a blender, cooled, poured into a container and hermetically sealed.
  • Pears. Pears are frozen in the same way as apples. Pears and apples can be frozen by sprinkling with sugar. For freezing in sugar syrup (250 grams of sugar per 1 liter of water), the fruits are peeled, boiled for about 5 minutes, put in a container, poured with syrup, cooled, hermetically sealed.
  • plums. You can freeze whole, slices, with and without a bone, sprinkle with sugar or pour syrup. It is best to freeze plums in slices in a plastic bag or on a tray. For freezing in syrup, you need to prepare a forty percent syrup (for 1 liter of water - 670-700 grams of sugar). Pitted plums are poured, cooled, hermetically closed.
  • apricots. It is better to freeze pitted, divided into halves or cut into slices in the same way as plums. For puree, the fruits are crushed in a blender, sugar is added, stirred, poured into containers.
  • cherry plum. It is easiest to freeze whole with the bone, but for freezing with sugar, it is better to remove the stone. Cherry plum is put into a container in layers, sprinkled with sugar, closed.
  • Quince. For freezing, the fruits are cleaned, the core is removed, cut into slices or cubes, put in a bag, air is removed, and closed.
  • Peach. You can freeze whole, halves, slices, cubes, with sugar and in syrup. Whole peaches are individually wrapped in white paper and placed in bags. Skin is removed from strongly pubescent fruits.

Greens

How to freeze greens properly:

  • Dill, parsley, cilantro. It is necessary to freeze in small branches or in crushed form. You can freeze greens with ice cubes in water, broth, butter. For freezing cubes, it is better to chop finely.
  • Green onion. Green onions must be cut before freezing. Put in a bag, remove air, tie.
  • Basil, arugula, mint. Leaves are cut off, they are frozen whole or not finely chopped.
  • Spinach, sorrel. Cut into pieces about one centimeter wide. Be sure to remove the air, hermetically tie the bag.

Berries

Freezing rules for the most common berries:

  • Strawberry. You can freeze whole: spread on a prepared baking sheet covered with a film, pour into a container frozen. For mashed potatoes, grind the berries in a blender, add sugar, pour into a container and hermetically close. Whole strawberries in containers are covered with sugar or poured with syrup.
  • Raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, gooseberries. Whole and sugar-free berries are frozen in bulk on a plate. The plate must be covered with cling film. Frozen berries are poured into bags. It is better to sprinkle the berries with sugar in layers.
  • Cherry, sweet cherry. Cherries and sweet cherries are frozen the same way. Whole cherries are laid out in one layer on a plate covered with cellophane, frozen, poured into a container. Pitted cherries are put in a container, sprinkled with sugar or poured with syrup.
  • Grape. It is frozen in bunches, individual berries or in the form of juice. It is better to use late varieties for freezing. The prepared juice is poured into plastic bottles, close and freeze. Clusters and berries for freezing are laid out on plates covered with cellophane. After a couple of hours, they are transferred to bags.
  • Kalina, cranberry. It is worth taking whole and not frozen naturally berries. Sprinkle with sugar in layers in a container or freeze in bulk.

Mushrooms

Before freezing, the mushrooms are carefully sorted out, washed without soaking, changing the water several times, and dried. Some mushrooms need to be boiled before freezing, and sometimes completely cooked.

Freezing mushrooms popular in cooking:

  • Champignons, porcini mushrooms, boletus, boletus. Can be frozen raw, boiled and fried until tender. Raw, small whole or chopped mushrooms are laid out on a tray and put in the freezer. After 30-35 minutes, transfer to a bag. Fried and boiled - in a container. These mushrooms can be frozen in broth.
  • Chanterelles. Before freezing, chanterelles are soaked in salted water. You can freeze raw and fried, boiled and with broth.
  • Russula, volnushki, mushrooms, milk mushrooms. Freeze only after heat treatment: boiled, stewed, fried.
  • Morels and lines. Freeze only boiled.
  • Honey mushrooms. Can be frozen boiled or fried.

vegetable mixes

There are, in addition to the usual freezing, vegetable mixtures that you can cook yourself. For the aesthetic appearance of the mixtures, the products must be cut into identical pieces. Chopped vegetables can be blanched. The amount of each ingredient is often the same in the composition of the mixture.

Variants of popular vegetable mixes:

  • Lecho. Ingredients: peppers, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, carrots.
  • Mexican mix. Ingredients: corn, green peas, asparagus beans, Bell pepper, carrots, rice (steamed).
  • Ratatouille. Ingredient: sweet pepper different color, eggplant, zucchini, onion, parsley, garlic. You can add zucchini, pumpkin, basil, potatoes if desired.
  • Paprikash. Ingredients: Bulgarian pepper, onion, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans.
  • Village stew. Ingredients: potatoes, broccoli, peppers, corn, carrots, onions, asparagus beans.
  • Ragout with mushrooms. Ingredients: mushrooms, green beans, broccoli, carrots, onions.
  • Autumn mixture Ingredients: carrots, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini.
  • Mix for borscht. Ingredients: onions, carrots, beets, tomatoes.
  • Shurpa mix. Ingredients: sweet pepper, eggplant, carrot, onion, whole garlic cloves.
  • Mixture for fish soup. Ingredients: tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, parsley, carrots.

During the winter months, many use store-bought vegetable mixes to make homemade stews or boil vegetable soup. Today I want to offer you a recipe for freezing vegetables for stews for the winter at home.

The mixture for the stew can consist of various vegetables. The main components can be:

  • vegetable marrow;
  • eggplant;
  • sweet or bell pepper;
  • tomato;
  • carrot;
  • string beans;
  • cauliflower;
  • green pea;
  • corn;
  • greens.

Here you can act independently, changing the amount and composition of vegetables. Now let's talk about the preparation of each vegetable separately.

Young zucchini, without formed grains, do not need to be cleaned before freezing. Large specimens are peeled, the insides with seeds are removed, and then cut.

For stews, you can use raw zucchini or blanched for 3 minutes in boiling water. If you follow all the rules, then the second option is preferable.

See the video from the channel "Tasty with us" - How to blanch vegetables

Eggplants should not be peeled, but it will be necessary to get rid of bitterness. To do this, eggplants cut into rings or plates are generously sprinkled with salt and left in this form for 30 minutes so that bitter juice comes out. Then the eggplant is washed in water and cut into cubes.

Just like zucchini, eggplant can be frozen either raw or blanched. Blanch the eggplant for about 4 minutes and then cool quickly.

Sweet bell pepper

Peppers for this preparation are simply washed and cut into strips or slices, depending on your preference. The color of the pepper in the stew does not matter.

Tomato for vegetable stew cut into large slices. It is better if the skin is first removed from the tomato. To do this, a cross-shaped incision is made at the base of the stalk and the tomato is dipped in boiling water for a few seconds. After this manipulation, the skin can be easily removed.

Carrot

Carrots are washed thoroughly, peeled with a thin skin, and then cut into wheels, cubes or straws.

To keep the color and shape of carrots, it is better to blanch them for 5 minutes in boiling water. Although it is possible to use raw carrots for freezing stew.

string beans

The stalk is cut from the green beans, and the pod itself is cut into pieces 3-4 centimeters long. Then the beans are necessarily boiled in boiling water for 5 minutes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is disassembled into inflorescences. Then you need to soak the vegetable in salt water for 30 minutes so that all the small insects that have chosen the curly head of cabbage come out. Before freezing, cauliflower should be blanched for 3 minutes in boiling water.

Green pea

Green peas can be used both in pod form and in the form of grains. But both options should first be held in boiling water for 4 minutes.

Corn

Corn can be blanched immediately on the cob, or after separating the kernels. The procedure for immersing a vegetable in boiling water takes 4 minutes. After that, the corn should be cooled in ice water.

Greens

To freeze the stew, you can use any greens. It can be onions, parsley, dill, basil or other herbs. Greens should be chopped with a knife and added to the workpiece.

Vegetable stew for the winter: freezing methods

The first, and most cost-effective way, is to freeze vegetables in a bag or container without first freezing them.

To do this, sliced ​​\u200b\u200bvegetables are folded into a large container and mixed thoroughly.

Attention! Under no circumstances should vegetables be salted! Otherwise, the vegetables will give juice, which is not desirable for freezing.

Spread the vegetable mixture in portions, at a time, into the prepared container. Packed tightly and sent to the freezer for storage.

See video from Lubov Kriuk - Freezing vegetables. Harvesting vegetables for stew for the winter.

The second method involves freezing vegetables separately on cutting boards and then mixing them.

This method takes more time, but the result is on the face. Freezing turns out to be crumbly, as in a store, and it is easier to cook such a blank, since it does not stick together into a single lump.

In order to save time and effort, freezing vegetables can be done separately from each other as they ripen. And when a sufficient number of various blanks are frozen, it will be possible to start forming vegetable mixtures.

See video - Preparations for the winter. Freezing vegetables for stews and soups