It’s that time of the year where the fresh produce is going to be in abundance for much of the United States. I love this time of year! Yes, I love when my neighbors bring me a zucchini or three! I love the summer produce so much that I need to put my freezer to work and start storing the summer produce for fresh tasting fruits and vegetables during the winter months! Be sure to keep up with your local Grocery Store Sales,Farmers Markets, Roadside Stands, Neighbor’s Gardens or even your own.
Here are some popular items you may like to keep all year long and how you can preserve them.
BANANAS
If your family has a love for bananas purchasing at the lowest price allows you to stock up. However, it can be a little tricky to store the soft fruit. One option is to dehydrate and create banana chips. Another option is to freeze bananas. Cut them up or freeze them whole on a cookie sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag. They are yummy when eaten frozen right out of the bag, used in cookies or bread and even thrown into a smoothie! Here is a post we did a couple or years ago about making guilt free ice cream!
CORN
YUM, fresh corn on the cob! This is the food many think of when you think of summer. You can savor the taste of fresh sweet corn by freezing and the price is amazing! Here’s a great how to from the Utah State University Extension on freezing corn.
HERBS
Herbs have a short shelf life in the fridge so drying them out in the oven allows you to have fresh herbs all year round. To dry herbs in the oven place the oven on 180 degrees. On a cookie sheet lay out your herbs making sure they aren’t overlapping. Allow the herbs to dry for 3-4 hours, turning every hour.
If you have patience and time, you can air dry your herbs. Simply tie up a few stems on the ends and hang upside down…be sure to avoid direct sunlight. When the leaves of the herbs are completely dry they will flake or crumble off very easily. Simply store in an airtight container for best results.
ZUCCHINI
I know, I know! You get so sick of zucchini, but in December you might have a craving! Pick Your Own is a great resource for learning how to freeze all your summer squashes! I love this spiral cutter, perfect for making noodles from squash.
PEACHES
When fruits and veggies go out of season they become expensive and peaches are one of them! To enjoy peaches year round be sure to freeze your own and save yourself some money this winter.
ONIONS & PEPPERS
Onions and Peppers are probably one of the easiest veggies to freeze. You literally slice or dice them up and stick in the freezer safe container or baggie. Just portion them to your families needs so when you make fajitas, omelets or breakfast potatoes consider mixing a bag of green peppers and onions for ease!
PINEAPPLE
Do you love Smoothies? Pineapple is super easy to freeze. You simply core and dice the pineapple into chunks, lay them out on a cookie sheet and allow to flash freeze in the freezer before placing in a freezer appropriate bag to store long term.
Quick Tip:
When freezing make sure produce is completely dry or they’ll be mushy when they thaw.
These are just some really simple tips in savoring the best of summer through the winter.
I would love to hear how you save your summer’s best. Leave me a comment!