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Nobody wants to pay money for produce that you don’t even get to use. But unfortunately, it happens all too often. If only there was a way to freeze vegetables and quick-to-spoil produce for later.
I’m sure you know what it’s like to reach for that head of lettuce in the fridge, only to find a wilted, slimy thing that only slightly resembles lettuce.
I hate throwing food away. Especially food I really wanted to eat.
If you’re anything like me, you might even avoid buying the quick-to-spoil items because you don’t want them to go to waste.
The list below will give you an option you might not have even thought was possible. Freeze them for later!
Meal planning to reduce produce waste
Before we get to the list of vegetables you can freeze, I want to mention one thing that’s really helped reduce our food waste. Meal planning.
Related: 20+ Meal Planning Templates That Will Take The Stress Out of Meal Times
By making a plan of meals for the week (along with a grocery list) we’re able to use up all the groceries we buy each week. Meal planning saves us money and takes the stress out of weeknight meals. Click here to learn more about the awesome course that taught me about the simple, yet effective strategies we use to save hundreds on groceries each month.
Four ways to freeze vegetables
There are four main ways to go about freezing vegetables.
- Blanching required, with flash freeze
- No blanching required, with flash freeze
- No blanching required, no flash freeze
- Puree, pour into ice cube tray, freeze
Blanching is when you dunk the vegetable into boiling water for just a few minutes. This helps the food keep its color and a better texture when thawed out.
Flash freezing is when you freeze something in a single layer on a baking sheet, then when it’s frozen you transfer it to another container to store it.
Freezing (and thawing) vegetables takes away the crunch. So it’s best to use the thawed out vegetables in a dish that you won’t notice. Like soups, stews, or smoothies.
10 Vegetables You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze
1. zucchini
Can you freeze zucchini? Yes. In the middle of your garden’s summer bounty, you may have googled once (or twice)…”What to do with excess zucchini?”.
One option you may or may not have come across is freezing it.
The best way to freeze zucchini is to chop it into cubes (or whatever size you want in your soup later), blanch, let it dry, then freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then once it’s frozen, transfer it to a freezer bag or container.
You can also shred the zucchini and freeze it in a bag.
How to Use Frozen Zucchini?
After the zucchini is thawed you can use it in soups, stews, or other hot dishes. Use frozen shredded zucchini in baked goods like zucchini muffins.
2. spinach
- Chop into bite sized chunks
- Blanch
- Squeeze out excess moisture
- Freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer
- Transfer to freezer bag or container after frozen.
How to Use Frozen spinach?
After thawing the spinach, use it in soups, stews, or other cooked dishes.
3. celery
Celery can be frozen by a similar method as the zucchini.
- Chop
- Blanch
- Freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer
- Transfer to freezer bag or container after frozen.
How to Use Frozen Celery?
After thawing the celery, you can use it in soups, stews, or other cooked dishes.
4. Lettuce
- Chop the green onions
- Put in freezer bag and freeze
How to Use Frozen lettuce?
After thawing the lettuce, you can use it in smoothies or soups.
5. cucumber
- Chop the cucumber
- Freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer (or freeze in water
- Transfer to freezer bag or container after frozen.
How to Use Frozen cucumber?
After thawing the cucumber, use it to flavor your water or use it in a sauce that needs cucumber flavor, but the texture doesn’t matter (like tzaziki sauce).
6. avocados
- Scoop the avocado into a bowl.
- Add salt and lemon juice (or lime juice) and mash into a paste.
- Scoop the mixture into a freezer bag and squeeze the air out. Seal the bag and freeze.
How to Use Frozen avocados?
After thawing the avocado mash, use it on tacos, as a dip for chips & salsa, or a dip for veggies.
7. Fresh Herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, etc.)
- Chop the herbs
- Freeze on a baking sheet in a single layer
- Transfer to freezer bag or container after frozen.
Note: you can also freeze herbs in an ice cube tray covered with oil or water.
How to Use Frozen Herbs?
After thawing the herbs, you can use them in pesto, sauces, or smoothies.
8. green onions
- Chop the green onions.
- Put in freezer bag and freeze.
How to Use Frozen green onions?
After thawing the green onions, use them it in soups, stews, dips, or other cooked dishes.
9. onions
- Chop the onions.
- Put in freezer bag and freeze.
How to Use Frozen onions?
After thawing the onions, you can use them in soups, stews, or other cooked dishes.
10. Mushrooms
- Chop & saute the mushrooms.
- Freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- After frozen, put them in a freezer bag or a sealed container.
HOW TO USE FROZEN Mushrooms?
After thawing the mushrooms, you can use it them in soups, stews, or other cooked dishes.
Freezing Produce Cheat Sheets
The next time you realize you won’t have a chance to use up all that produce in your fridge, just freeze your vegetables to use for later. You’ll waste less, save more money, and be less stressed in the kitchen.
Grab these cheat sheets to hang on your fridge along with 4 weeks of meal ideas, produce storage tips, and how to quickly and easily make a meal plan in minutes.
>> LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE MEAL PLANNING STRESS-FREE… <<
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