[MyAchingBack]

Is it really necessary to blanch freshly grown veg before freezing? Can I just wash, slice, put into freezer bags and fast freeze?

[arugula]

Blanching isn't strictly necessary for all veg. It would depend on which ones you propose to freeze.


Here is the advice from the main site:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/recipes/storing-the-surplus-freezing

[mumofstig]

I don't blanch stuff that I'm going to use in a week or so, but anything that's for long term storage gets blanched 

[MyAchingBack]

Blanching isn't strictly necessary for all veg. It would depend on which ones you propose to freeze.


Here is the advice from the main site:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/recipes/storing-the-surplus-freezing

Great link. Thanks.


edit to fix quote

[MyAchingBack]

I don't blanch stuff that I'm going to use in a week or so, but anything that's for long term storage gets blanched 

Why do you blanch for long term storage?

[mumofstig]

The theory is that blanching kills enzymes in the veg that could alter the taste after they've been frozen for a while.

I don't want to risk not blanching, in case my veggies spoil.

If frozen peas etc are blanched before freezing, there must be a reason for it

Blanching entailed immersing the vegetables in boiling water for a few minutes to halt the activity of certain enzymes

http://www.answers.com/topic/frozen-vegetable

[Val H]

The flavour declines over time due to the enzymes if you don't blanch. Freezing merely slows, not stops, the enzymes from causing deterioration.

[MyAchingBack]

Thanks Mum

[MyAchingBack]

Thanks Val.

[symonep]

Do I need to blanch my peas before I freeze them, I normally just put them in the freezer but some one said I should blanch them first?

[aelf]

I don't bother. I believe it's more important to blanch if you are planning to store for a long time, it apparently helps to check the decay process.

You are lucky to have enough to freeze - Mine haven't produced enough peas for one meal this year!