The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: mwncigirl on July 25, 2013, 07:57:07 pm

Title: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: mwncigirl on July 25, 2013, 07:57:07 pm

We have peas!! ;D  And for a change I have resisted eating them all fresh and want to freeze some. Do you blanch yours first? And do you lay them out on a tray to freeze or just bung them in once blanched?? :yum:

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: Dan on July 25, 2013, 08:39:45 pm

We don't do either. Just load them into a container and freeze. Give them a shake after half an hour or so and they should separate making it easy to take portions.

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: cans on July 25, 2013, 08:47:49 pm

Hi,

That's what I do as well.  I look forward to having real garden peas at Christmas time.  Yum

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: mwncigirl on July 25, 2013, 08:57:55 pm

Great! My 8 week old son won't go to sleep so that is what I wanted to hear! Hooray!! :excited:

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: mwncigirl on July 25, 2013, 09:00:49 pm

What about broad beans?

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: Fleecewife on July 25, 2013, 10:08:56 pm

I do blanche peas, but they are sugar snaps.  Just half a minute.  Same with broad beans.
 
For freezing, I put them into large zip-lock bags layed flat on trays, then once they are frozen I shoogle the bag until they are all separate, make sure all the air is excluded, then extract portions as I need them.   I find this takes up less space than freezing in boxes, and the air can be kept out even when there are not many left in the bag.

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: MelRice on July 25, 2013, 10:44:47 pm

Peas go as quickly as poss  from garden to box and into the freezer (I too shake after a while)


Broad beans I blanch so that the purple(ish) skins come off eaisily....it makes them very sweet and even my fresh bean disliking daughter will eat them.

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: Fleecewife on July 25, 2013, 10:54:15 pm

Do those of you who don't blanche your peas find they last as long as blanched ones without developing that freezery taste?

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: mwncigirl on July 25, 2013, 11:14:54 pm

I think I should have have given the subject as 'freezing veg'........ What about greens? We have some lovely looking greens that I'd love to keep. What's best to do with them? ::)  I've never had proper 'gluts' before, its ace!!

Title: Re: Do you blanch peas before freezing?
Post by: Mammyshaz on July 25, 2013, 11:36:30 pm

I don't blanch peas or beans. I believe the peas lose their nutritional value quickly on heating so they get thrown in a meal as it it served if mixed or just popped in a pan of hot water for a few seconds if dished separate so they warm through ( defrosted first ). Don't blanch for the thought of heating twice.