It is that time of year again when I will be freezing produce from our garden. People ask me all the time how I get everything done. I can tell you the answer. I simply don’t. But what I do get done usually involves a short cut. Right now it is harvest season! Time to preserve all the freshness from that garden or even the farmer’s market with freezing or even canning. When you catch an awesome sale or clearance produce, you need to do something with it. So I freeze lots of different items. Guess what? It is easier than you think. I guarantee it!
This post was first published on August 9, 2012, but I am sharing again this year!
My free printable quick guide is a perfect quick reference to keep in the kitchen. These are all super simple ways to freeze that fresh from the garden goodness and NOT spend tons of time doing it. Just sign up for our newsletter below to print the guide.
Once you sign up, the guide will be sent to your email. Just print from there and start using in your kitchen. If you have issues with your download, please email me and I will try to fix it for you.
A few tips, tricks, and notes for freezing produce:
- Buy the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
. It is inexpensive and has everything you need to know about preserving food. I freeze and can produce and the book is indispensable. It may also be available with the Ball jars at your local Walmart. It is quite literally the bible for home preserving. - This is only a quick guide for produce items that I usually freeze. There are many more things that you can freeze. Please see number 1 for how to get instructions on any produce from A to Z.
- This is meant to be a quick guide that you can have handy in your kitchen. The Ball book mentioned in #1 will have all safety precautions for handling food properly. If you have any questions, please refer to the book.
- Use freezer bags, special freezer containers, or other items labeled for use in your freezer to pack your produce into.
- Label all your containers with what is in them and the date. You will thank me later for that tip.
- Most frozen produce is only good in recipes or when cooked. Do not expect to slice your tomatoes for a sandwich. However, those frozen tomatoes will be awesome in a winter stew.
. It is inexpensive and has everything you need to know about preserving food. I freeze and can produce and the book is indispensable. It may also be available with the Ball jars at your local Walmart. It is quite literally the bible for home preserving.
Now harvest your garden, freeze the bounty, and enjoy it all winter long! Y’all enjoy this guide for freezing produce and all of that summer fresh goodness!
I’ve even seen that Ball book here on clearance for like 1/2 price in the off season!
Great Quick Guide, Angie. 🙂
Thanks for the great tips! I am gearing up to freeze and can some great produce from the garden. Question: what are your thoughts about freezing zucchini?
Sure! For Zucchini follow the squash directions above. It is actually a summer squash. 🙂