I'm working on a healthier diet, but I seem to have some stuff that just goes bad... since it's a bit more expensive to eat this way, I'm trying to figure out what fresh stuff I can freeze and use later and how I do it. I have no idea about any of this stuff!
I have some bananas that are very ripe and will be bad if I leave them out. Can I cut them up and put them in a baggy to use in a smoothie another day? What about strawberries and blueberries? Any special preparation or just wash and freeze?
Can I freeze grapes?
What can I do with tomatoes before they get too ripe?
If you have any ideas or good websites that explain it all, please let me know. I'm not going to get into canning my own stuff... I just don't have time for that. But I want to waste a lot less! Besides I think having stuff prepared and ready to go in the freezer will keep me from hitting the chips in between time!
Laurie
1|1|frozen grapes are yummy! (m)|brainyblonde|brainyblonde410@gmail.com|14:35:20|06/11/2011|
I freeze overripe bananas for use in smoothies or for bread. You can freeze them right in their skins or peel/mash.
Strawberries and blueberries I put on a cookie sheet, freeze, then bag.
Tomatoes can be frozen whole, but won't be good for much more than soup/chili. They just get too mushy.
2|1|Yes, you can freeze the bananas for baking or to use in a smoothie :) You can freeze most any fruit! The only one I can think of that I wouldnt is kiwi....but even that could be used in a smoothie if frozen. When I freeze juicy type fruits (pineapple, peaches, pears, etc) I slice them, lay them on a cookie sheet to freeze til firm, then put them in ziplock baggies. |saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|14:40:51|06/11/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
3|1|Link inside to freezing tips for fruits and veggies! :)|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|14:42:58|06/11/2011|
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/nutrition/DJ0555.html
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
4|1|Strawberries..I just wash and hull them, then freeze....blueberries I just wash and freeze. Melon...I cube or scoop out balls to freeze (I put all of these on a cookie sheet to freeze til firm first, then put in ziplock bags). You can freeze apples, just wash, peel and core, then cube or slice.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|14:44:38|06/11/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
5|1|Zucchini can be frozen by shredding (use in baked goods such as muffins, breads, and even use to make 'potato pancakes' instead of using shredded potatoes).|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|14:45:35|06/11/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
6|1|I like this thread!|sunriver|sunriver@gmail.com|14:59:17|06/12/2011|
I just had to toss out some strawberries that we missed eating, so this is a topic that is fresh on my mind too!
I buy big bags of fresh broccoli at Costco and have been freezing them within a week of buying, so that way they don't go to waste. Cucumbers finally came down in price here (they were $1 each or more for such a long time, now I am seeing 4/$1! I planted some but they will take awhile to be ready to pick and eat here. Has anyone ever frozen cucumbers? I imagine they would change a little after being unfrozen. Are they still pretty tasty?
I also buy big tubs of spring mix and spinach leaves (salad) and I started taking a paper towel and folding it up under the lid so that any moisture that collects there does not make the salad mix spoil faster. Instead of having to toss half a container we are able to use up the whole thing without any loss. Costco sells those big 4 pound ones for less than $4 and that is better than anything I have found around here. It took me a lot of years to get away from thinking that iceberg was salad, but now I love the healthier stuff!