[Kristen]

Some of my stored onions are starting to sprout (other than that they are fine)

Can I put them in the freezer?

Cut them up and fry them a bit and then into the freezer? or is there is better / alternative method?

I was thinking that if I could convert them into something that was part-prepared for soups and cooking in general, then that would do as well as storing them "whole"

[mumofstig]

have a  look at this old post

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=40970.msg483921#msg483921

[Kristen]

Brilliant, thanks

[sarajane]

Some of mine had white rot last year.  I just cut away the good part, slice, and put into bags (enough say to go into a casserole or spag bol).  They easily squash down to put into the freezer and you don't even have to defrost them .  I wouldn't freeze them whole though.

[Kristen]

you don't even have to defrost them

Hadn't thought of that - makes sense now you say it - bonus!

[LivvyW]

If you have a lot to freeze, consider chopping them in a food processor.

[Yorkie]

I have frozen some onions that were going off, and now am getting round to using them.

The only trouble is that when putting them into the frying pan from the freezer, their liquid means they are steaming / boiling rather than frying.

Do I just need to make sure the oil is hotter when I add them, or is there another technique?

[mumofstig]

just cook them gently to cook the liquid off and then they seem to start frying

[Trillium]

I give mine a gentle squeeze before adding to the pan.

[Yorkie]

Thanks both.  They're still frozen at the point of adding them to the pan so squeezing isn't an option, but I guess patience will have to be the order of the day!

[Val H]

I've done it in the past and, when using from frozen, defrost in microwave first and pour off the excess liquid and then fry them.

[Yorkie]

I shall try that too, then Val - thanks 

[madcat]

If you are making the stock from a cube/powder or have extra water to add, use the poured off onion water in the mix, not to waste the flavour or the vitamins.   Cheapskate?  Moi?

[Yorkie]

Good idea 

[gavinjconway]

My  father in law who has been veg gardening for 30 odd years in Scotland simply cuts into pieces and freezes onions and leeks in sealed bags. The freezer does tend to smell of onions tho.. We used to get them from him all the time before I started growing them. They are great for stews, soups, stock, etc.. and so simple to use like that.