Vegetable Freezing
Chart
Vegetable Freezing Outline
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Blanching
time is in boiling water. Unless otherwise noted, chilling time in ice water
should be the same as blanching time.
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Vegetable
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Preparation
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Blanching Time/ Chilling Time
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Asparagus
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Wash and
sort stalks according to size, discarding blemished stalks. Break off ends.
Stalks may be left whole or cut into 30-50mm long pieces.
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average
diameter stalks - 3 minutes thicker stalks - 4 minutes.
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Green
Beans
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Snap off
tips. Rinse, then cut or break into desired sizes or freeze smaller beans
whole.
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3-1/2
minutes.
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Italian
Snap Beans
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Wash,
snap off ends and slice into 1" to 1-1/2" pieces.
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3-1/2
minutes.
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Beets
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For
young, tender beets-
Remove tops and cook until tender. Chill, then remove skins. Leave small beets whole. For medium to large beets, slice or cut into pieces. Pack into freezer boxes or bags. |
not
applicable
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Broccoli
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Remove
leaves and tough ends. Cut through stalks lengthwise, leaving stems with
1" to 1-1/2" diameter heads, or cut into pieces. Soak in salt water
(2 tablespoons salt to 1 quart water) to remove any insects and larvae. Rinse
with tap water and drain.
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pieces -
4 minutes
stems - 5 minutes. |
Brussels
Sprouts
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Wash and
trim any tough outer leaves. Soak in salt water (2 tablespoons salt to 1
quart water) to remove any insects and larvae. Rinse with tap water and
drain.
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medium
sprouts - 4 minutes
large sprouts - 5 minutes. |
Carrots
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Remove
tops, peel, and wash. Cut into 1/4" thick slices.
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3-1/2
minutes.
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Cauliflower
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Remove
leaves, trim and wash. Split into individual 1" to 1-1/2" pieces.
Soak in salt water (2 tablespoons salt to 1 quart water) to remove any
insects and larvae. Rinse with tap water and drain.
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4
minutes.
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Corn-on-the-Cob
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Husk,
remove silk and trim off ends. Blanch in a large stockpot with 10 - 12 quarts
of boiling water.
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24 small
ears, under 1-1/4" diameter - 8 minutes
14 medium ears, 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" diameter - 8 minutes 10 large ears, over 1-1/2" diameter - 11 minutes
Chilling
time in ice water should be twice as long as blanching time
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Corn -
Cut from cob
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Husk,
remove silk and trim off ends. Use a corn cob cutter or a curved grapefruit
knife to remove kernels from cob.
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4-1/2
minutes
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Kohlrabi
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Remove
tops, wash, peel and cut into 1/2" cubes.
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2-1/2 minutes.
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Mushrooms
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Wash and
remove stems. Freeze smaller mushrooms whole
Cut medium and large mushrooms into 1/4" slices. To prevent browning, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid per quart of blanching water. |
small
whole mushrooms - 4 minutes
sliced mushrooms - 3 minutes. |
Onions
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Chopped
onions can be packed and frozen without blanching To freeze larger pieces of
onions or small whole onions - Peel onions, wash, and cut into quarter
sections (except very small whole onions).
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1-1/2 minutes
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Green
Peas, shelled
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Wash and
shell peas.
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1-1/2 to
2 minutes
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Sugar
Peas or Edible Pod Peas
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Wash;
Remove stems and blossom ends; Leave whole.
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2-1/2 to
3 minutes
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Peppers
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Chopped
bell peppers can be packed and frozen without blanching.
For pepper halves or slices...Wash, remove stem and seeds. Cut in halves or slices |
halves -
3 minutes
slices - 2 minutes. |
Pumpkin
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Cut;
scoop out seeds; peel; and cut into pieces. Bake or steam until tender. Cool,
then strain in a ricer, food mill or process in a food processor until
smooth. Pack into containers and freeze.
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not
applicable
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Spinach
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Sort;
remove any blemished leaves and tough stems; Wash.
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1-1/2 to
2 minutes
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Zucchini
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Select
5" to 7" long, tender zucchini. Wash, peel and cut into 1/4"
to 1/2" slices.
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1/4"
slices - 3 minutes
1/2" slices - 4 minutes |