Vegetable Garden -- Freezing Vegetables

[TABULOUS1]

Yo, GardenDaddy,

Blanching okra before freezing would be new to me, so I am curious as to what, if any, are the consequences of NOT blanching okra before freezing? For example, why is it more important to blanch something like okra, but not onions?

[webcajun]

@TABULOUS1 … I think it makes a difference in the taste…….Donald

[MrBenPratt]

Thanks so much for making this video! It was really fantastic thankyou

[webcajun]

@MrBenPratt ... Glad it was helpful and you’re welcome……Donald

[11pinkblack]

thanks a lot Donald.... i am going to freeze my okra now...

[patoche360]

Thank you for the so helful tip :) One quick question that may sound stupid :) Why boil them ? Doesn't it remove the nutrient value of the vegetables? Thanks!

[webcajun]

@patoche360 ... It's called blanching. It's done with most vegetables before freezing if you don't plan on eating them right away......Donald

[beholdella]

what brand of containers r u using?

[webcajun]

@beholdella ... "Glad" I believe.......Donald

[haleytased]

do you use cold water ?

[webcajun]

@haleytased ... Regular filtered tap water.......Donald

[gollumthedog]

Learned something new today!

[webcajun]

@gollumthedog ... Much less likely to freezer burn this way......Donald

[mrsexpistols36]

this bloke ,is the main man

[gardenvespers777]

Hi Donald,

Do you think I can do this for my potatoes?

I went out in the yard and .. oh my .. lol I pulled up only 3 potato plants and dug up a bunch...and this was after "sneaking some out" a few weeks ago!

I didn't dig up any more til I learn how to store them in Texas heat lol I feel like like bubba gump shrimp..only with potatoes! you got ur...mashed potatoes.. french fries...home fries ..potato salad..baked potatoes..roasted potatoes...potato gnocchi...soup. oh my! lol

Any tips?

[webcajun]

@gardenvespers777 ...I don't think it would work for potatoes. Pressure canning would be the way to go......Donald

[stratman250]

I am very concerned that the US still treats water with Fluoride. It has been banned in most European Provinces for decades now. This isn't 1915 anymore! Of course the Germans used the same water treatment in the 1930's to keep people placid. They were told it was for "public health".

too spooky.

[michaelplesch]

Are you cooking your vegetables in filtered water?

[webcajun]

@michaelplesch ...Like when making coffee I used filtered water whenever possible when cooking anything.....Donald

[ZAKDX]

Thank you from singapore

[webcajun]

@ZAKDX ...You're welcome.....Donald

[webcajun]

@tnsodman ...covering with water before freezing makes a big difference.....Donald

[peacelovehippychick]

wow! i never thought about freezing them in a block of ice, but it really makes sense. thanks!

[webcajun]

@peacelovehippychick ...We cover just about any vegetable with a little water.....Donald

[NippleChaser]

MANY THANKS! For the videos Donald...Keep them coming ...Lache pas la patate

and Laissez les Bon temp rouler!

[webcajun]

@NippleChaser ...Glad you enjoy the vids. We had our annual get together here Saturday and we have a great time. Lots of real nice folks from all over came visit here in Louisiana......Donald

[klaviary]

Thanks Donald for all the videos.  I'm up here in North carolina getting lots of useful hints from y'all down there!

[webcajun]

@klaviary ... they way they are talking we are in for higher food prices this year, so plan on putting up lots of vegetables this spring and summer......Donald

[klaviary]

@webcajun Thanks for the tip Donald! I don't have as big of a garden as you we are doubling the size this year to 60ft long rows. We are going extra on black eyed peas, butter beans, and green beans they get eat the most and are easy to freeze and can.

[klaviary]

@webcajun Thanks! I'll show this to the hubby as he is tilling up the garden this weekend. Will be 60 here tomorrow. Cannot wait to feel that summer sun on me. This winter has been cold.

[klaviary]

@webcajun well, got to show this to the hubby tomorrow. He's tilling up the garden as it just got into the 60's and is a good time for the first tilling. Got to get the potatoes into the ground soon.

[webcajun]

@klaviary ... I too will be concentrating more on vegetables we like rather than those we eat little of......Donald

[YoCuzwaasup]

Really enjoy your vids too like the dogs:)

[webcajun]

@YoCuzwaasup ...Thanks.........Donald

[YoCuzwaasup]

I would suggest using Stainless Steel not aluminum ... if your health conscience.

Regardless to what is said Alzheimer's is linked to aluminum products

[webcajun]

@YoCuzwaasup ... Thanks for the tip..........Donald

[kevinjoubert]

@YoCuzwaasup That is an unfounded myth, according the Alz.dog.org

[WE3HINES]

Why do you boil the okra first? I was just wondering because I will be freezing some of my veggies this years. Your way looks great. Thanks for the videos.

[webcajun]

@WE3HINES ... Blanching destroys the enzymes that causes vegetables to lose some of their nutritional value and flavor. You can blanch vegetables by either steaming or boiling for a short period of time.........Donald

[ChicagoPrepper]

Wow so smart

[Allen2045]

My husband uses this method for the fish he had cought. I will use this method when I grow my vegies in the spring.

[webcajun]

@Allen2045 ... it works real well and stays fresh tasting a lot longer..........Donald

[GospelTruth37059]

Your videos are so nice , I never knew to cover vegis in water. I knew to freeze fish

in water , so thank you very much! Just goes to show you can always learn something new (smiling).

[webcajun]

@GospelTruth37059 ... until I started adding water, freezer burn was an issue.......Donald

[Allen2045]

@GospelTruth37059 I agree with you

[4micaman]

After watching your canning videos, I started to ask your thoughts on Freezing Veggies...  I too, appreciate the effort you put into sharing your knowledge... Thank you, Donald, ~Steve

[webcajun]

@4micaman ... Hey Steve, freezing is a lot faster and less work than canning but canning doesn't require any electricity like a freezer and the food will last a lot longer in the jars..... Donald

[4micaman]

@webcajun Thanks Donald. I'll eventually have to invest in some canning gear then... ~Steve - PS. I just signed up for the forum. And, I'm only about 2.5 hours northeast of you.

[webcajun]

@4micaman ... if you're ever in the area stop by for a visit......Donald

[tiff198325]

o my goodness..i love okra

[webcajun]

@tiff198325 ... I'll be picking lots of it in the next few weeks. Good in a Gumbo......Donald

[fruitcakeize]

THANKS Sir! for posting this video, it help me a lot in our project in TLE class ;-)

[webcajun]

You're welcome............ Donald

[565Customz]

i heard its not good to use a big aluminum pot..something about alzheimers lol. is that what your using?

[webcajun]

It's aluminum........ Donald

[jackburton2009]

I'd put the filtered water in the container first so the hot vegetables don't warp the plastic.

[scottytbird]

Just harvested some carrots. Ever tried those in the freezer? You can get them froze at the store...so they should b ok to freeze...right?

[webcajun]

Never tried freezing them but I don't see why you couldn't. I usually can them in jars............ Donald

[scottytbird]

I doubt I will get all of my harvest chopped and froze tonight. Could you give a brief description of your carrot canning process?

[webcajun]

Go to the web site and check out the "garden videos". I have vid on canning carrots........ Donald

[scottytbird]

thank you sir.

[darkdragonprincesss]

yes you can freeze them :) just blanche them a little bit and freeze them in bags of containers.

We do that all the time and they taste great in soups or stews

[bookhound63]

Your videos are great! I have found several videos about freezing zucchini, but its always shredded for breads and stuff. Can you freeze slices or wedges of zucchini? We like it stir-fried or broiled or roasted.

[webcajun]

I think they'll get mushy so do a test run first....... Donald

[bookhound63]

I will! thanks. I am also going to try growing it indorrs this winter.

[StarbucksAddict70]

I LOVE these! I grew up in Iowa in the country, havent lived in the country since I was little & have forgotten how to do all this stuff. Missing fresh eating. Thank u for posting these!

[webcajun]

Glad you enjoy em and hope they help........ Donald

[ivankinsman]

Yep, this is pretty much what we do. We parboil the veg., cool it down and then put it into plastic bags (no freezer burn so far). We don't use the water method so maybe we'll give it a try. The veg we freeze include beans, brocolli, cauliflower, pumpkin, tomatoes (just for sauces/soups).

[webcajun]

Covering with water has really helped with freezer burn........ Donald

[micz72]

That's a really good tip thanks, I froze mine & they got freezer burn :(

[webcajun]

Cover with water and it'll help with freezer burn......... Donald

[fcschipani]

I've never heard of this method of freezing vegetables. I'm looking forward to trying it. It make a lot of sense. Thanks for all of the helpful information in your videos.

[webcajun]

Glad you enjoy........ Donald

[rm92civic]

Great vids, lots of help! Can you freeze meat in water to prevent freezer burn too?

Just wondering....

[webcajun]

Sure can freeze meat in water. Hunters do it all the time with ducks, rabbit, squirrel. They'll keep a lot longer with no freezer burn........ Donald

[wgseagal]

thanks for the tips putting the water in the container never heard that one sounds great no freezer burn have too try that with all the veggies this year no more supermarket this winter lol

[webcajun]

We do the same with fish and wild game. It works...... Donald

[TnWormsCastings]

great idea thanks i going to frezze some up today..Hey don my orka u sent me is up and growing and the tomatoe seeds are up in worm castings ill send u some pics

[webcajun]

That sounds great. Those tomatoes should really do well. They are heirloom Beefsteaks suppose to make 1-2 lb. fruit...... Donald

[coupngal]

Quick question about the pot your cooking in.  What is it called and where do I find one? I love the idea of doing all of this on site @ my garden.

About the squash question, I have put up zucchini squash this way but it was shredded. I use it is breads a lot in the winter as well as fried squash cakes.

I also put up yellow squash this way as well but have not pulled it out to use just yet, so don't know how well that really worked. I'll let ya know when I do.

[webcajun]

The pot and burner can be purchased at any of the "big box" hardware stores...... Donald

[vonhismean]

Thanks for the vid.

[webcajun]

You are welcome ...... Donald

[debjmorgan]

I would NEVER put hot vegetables in a plastic container for freezing, as the heat can release some of the ingredients of the plastic into your food. Cool the food first with cold water w/or without ice cubes, or let cool at room temp. We're talking cancer here, folks. Also, don't reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave.

[mywootgarden]

omg? really you spend time waiting for things to cool down before putting them in plastic? thats great im all for health,more power to you. think of the time youve wasted to save minouts of your life...

[gardenmagik]

Donald, Thanks for this video! You always have informative ones! 5 stars!

[katygfmu]

How would you thaw a block of okra done in that manner? Could I take a block out of the freezer in the morning before work, leave it in the sink and have thawed okra by the afternoon?

[webcajun]

Probably the safest way to thaw it out would be in the frig. Or... Why not just thaw it out in a pot on the stove? It only takes a few minutes. I do that with frozen mustard green, cabbage, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, etc. Precooking vegetables such as mustard green, cabbage and sweet corn with bacon and all your seasoning then freezing them makes for a quick meal. I then just put the block in a pot on the stove and when they're thawed out and hot, they're ready to eat.

[HardworkinMom71]

Wouldn't it be better to put ice-cold filtered water instead of room-temp water because it immediately stops the okra from cooking further and preserving the green-ness of the veggies? You know...like what we do when we blanch veggies for our side dishes?

[webcajun]

I guess you could use ice-cold water to stop the process. For me ...... it's not that important. Most of the time (99%)I cook my Okra all the way down with tomatoes and onions out of the garden along with all my seasoning and then freeze it. This method is used when it will be used in Gumbo. The ones in the video could still be used in Gumbo but could also be used in other dishes as well.

[Kamisha100]

Thanks for teaching me what to do with all the okra I'm growing. I'm new at gardening,Can you tell me how to know when it's ready to be picked? I use the earthbox. My okra is the Louisiana Spineless variety.

[webcajun]

Pick your okra when it's between 4 and 6 inches long. When you cut it you'll soon be able to tell which is tender and which is becoming too large / hard. The ones that are too big have a hard fell about them and when cut a crunchy sound.

[OhItsJustMe2]

Once again. Another great video!!! Thank you for taking the time to make them! I have learned a great deal from you.

[webcajun]

Thanks and your welcome.

[scarcherpilot]

Can you do squash like this? My 3 little squash plants are turning out alot of squash faster than my appetite for squash is. Would like to save some for other times.

Thanks for posting this...you are one step ahead of my needs on how to do things with my little garden & the crops it yeilds.

[webcajun]

No, I don't think you can put up squash this way. Nor can you put squash up in a jar.

[webcajun]

Something I should mention about putting up Okra. If I'm putting it up for Gumbo I'll cook it all the way down with tomatoes, onions and all my seasoning before freezing it. That way most of the slime is gone. Also, adding the tomatoes while I have them fresh out the garden is better than having to add them from a can in the winter. I have the onions out of my garden as well.

[bjones1728]

I must ask! I live in South Texas just 80 miles south west of houston and I would like to grow Rhubarb? do you think it is to hot in my area. Also I have not been able to find any seeds so could you recomend a source? Great vids keep up the good work.

[webcajun]

I've never grown Rhubarb so don't know anything about it. Google the internet for a "Texas Planting Guide" it would give you the info you're looking for.

I get most of my seeds from Park Seed and Gurney Seed. You can order online from either one.

[hsvfd798]

Great job!! Thanks for the freezing info.

[webcajun]

Thanks and your welcome.

[ChangeofSpace]

Agreed, this is very helpful, I was looking at my onions and was wondering what the heck ima do with so many.. LOL

i work Nights, 10pm till 8 am, and love to go home, pluck some fresh onions and tomatoes out of the garden, and fry em up with some steak :P great things fresh veggies are!

[webcajun]

There is no need to blanch / cook your onions. Just chop them up raw and place them in zip lock bags then put them in the freezer.

[beutifullady]

Thanks for sharing!!

[webcajun]

I watched your latest video. Your garden is looking good.

[Octahoney]

I have been watching you for a while, to learn more about vegetable gardening. Yesterday i picked green beans from my OWN plants for the first time. I was (and am) thrilled about it. Thanks for making these videos for people like myself with little to no experience with gardening.

<3

Octahoney

[webcajun]

Congratulations. Those snap beans cooked down with bacon and potatoes will taste great. I could may a meal out of just that.

[jstrunck]

webcajun,

Thanks for the info on freezing vegtables! I can sure put it to use next season!

Take Care,

John

[webcajun]

You can do broccoli and cauliflower the same way. It's nice to have vegetables months after the harvest.

[greentxmama]

Great informative video. 5 stars!

[webcajun]

Thanks