Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility

by Crystal Schmidt, Eve Kilcher (Foreword by)

Overview

Capturing the peak flavor of freshly harvested produce and preserving it for year-round eating is easier than ever with Freeze Fresh, the ultimate guide to freezing and enjoying more than 55 popular fruits and vegetables. Author Crystal Schmidt shares her time-tested preparation techniques that ensure color, texture, and flavor are retained in the freezer. From familiar favorites like apples, corn, potatoes, and peas to surprises like lettuce, avocado, and citrus fruit, Schmidt details the best ways to prepare each food for the freezer, including pre-cooking, slicing, blanching, and more. She offers more than 100 recipes that freeze well, such as Blueberry Maple Pancake Sauce, Pickled Sliced Beets, Mango Chutney, and Honey Butter Carrot Mash—as well as delicious ways to cook the frozen food after thawing, including Creamy Parmesan Confetti Corn, Tart Cherry Oatmeal Bars, Broccoli Cheese Soup, and Blueberry-Matcha Latte Smoothie. Home cooks and gardeners alike will love discovering how easy and economical it can be to fill your freezer with produce customized to your own tastes and needs.


 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635864472
Publisher:	Storey Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	07/05/2022
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	195,422
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Crystal Schmidt is the creator of Whole‑Fed Homestead (wholefedhomestead.com) and the author of the bestselling book Freeze Fresh. She is devoted to sharing the skills of growing, preserving, and cooking with whole foods with her many followers online (110k on Instagram). She lives in Wisconsin.
 

Table of Contents

Foreword Eve Kilcher ix

Welcome 1

A Fresh Look at Freezing Food 3

Freezing Basics 5

Why Freeze Produce? 6

Early Cooling Devices 6

The Science of Freezing Fruits & Vegetables 8

Essential Freezing Techniques 9

Steam Blanching 10

Boiling-Water Blanching 12

How to Flash Freeze 15

Types of Freezer Containers 18

Removing Air from Containers 21

Labeling Containers 22

Helpful Tools & Supplies 23

All about Freezers 25

How to Manually Defrost a Chest or Upright Freezer 27

Special Techniques for Freezing & Working with Frozen Foods 30

How to Make Baked Desserts Using Frozen Fruit 32

Freezing Produce from A to Z 37

Apples 38

Asparagus 46

Avocado 47

Bananas 48

Beets 53

Blueberries 55

Bok Choy 59

Broccoli 60

Cabbage 63

Carrots 69

Cauliflower 72

Celery 75

Cherries 76

Citrus 80

Corn 84

Cranberries 88

Cucumbers 91

Eggplant 94

Figs 96

Garlic Cloves & Scapes 98

Ginger & Turmeric 100

Grapes 101

Green Beans 103

Greens 105

Herbs 108

Mango 114

Melons 117

Mushrooms 120

Okra 121

Onions 122

Peaches 127

Pears 130

Peas 134

Peppers 138

Pineapple 143

Plums 145

Potatoes 149

Raspberries 155

Rhubarb 160

Strawberries 163

Sweet Potatoes 167

Tomatillos 170

Tomatoes 172

Winter Squash & Pumpkin 182

Zucchini & Other Summer Squashes 188

Index 193

Editorial Reviews

A clear, concise guide to freezing (almost) anything with mouthwatering recipes that will ensure you put your frozen bounty to good use. If you’re looking to create a healthier home food supply and save money in the process, this is your book!” ​
—Jill Winger, author of The Prairie Homestead Cookbook ​
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“Invaluable information about the art of freezing— a must-have homesteading resource!” ​
—Deanna Talerico, creator of Homestead and Chill ​
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“So many possibilities! You’ll welcome the recipes for foods such as potatoes and squash that can be tricky to preserve with other methods. And who knew you could freeze cucumbers?” ​
—Sherri Brooks Vinton, author of Put ’em Up! and The Preserving Answer Book ​
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“This friendly, in-depth guide is packed with helpful info, unique recipes, and stunning photos to help you turn your freezer into a well-stocked pantry.” ​
—Stephanie Thurow, Certified Master Food Preserver and author of Can It Ferment It​

From the Publisher