When you have your own garden, you can sometimes find yourself with a large supply on hand, before the vegetables start to spoil and you can eat them reasonably well. Freezing vegetables at home is a quick and easy way to preserve produce at the peak of its maturity and nutritional quality.
In addition, this will extend your supply, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of your garden long after the growing season is over. Check out our useful infographic for more benefits of freezing, as well as some beginner tips on the process.
Why You Should Freeze Your Vegetables
There are many reasons to freeze your home-grown vegetables – extending the life of your product is just one of them. Here are some other benefits of freezing vegetables.
1. Nutrient-rich
When you freeze vegetables at their peak, you are preserving their nutritional quality. Many studies have shown that the nutritional content of frozen produce is often comparable to, and sometimes better than, that of fresh fruit and vegetables. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about any health benefits being lost during the freezing process. However, for optimum quality, you should usually consume your frozen produce within 8 to 12 months of freezing.
2. It’s safe
Freezing is a very natural process and a safe way to extend the life of your produce. It prevents the growth of microorganisms and slows down the activity of enzymes that cause food to spoil. This way, you can enjoy the bounty of your garden for longer. According to the USDA, food kept at the standard recommended home freezer temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit will always be safe to eat.
3. It’s cost effective
Not only does freezing have many health benefits, but it’s good for your wallet too! If the fruits of your gardening labor are provided by your friends, then you can save them. If the fruits of your gardening labor extend into the winter months, you won’t have to buy store-bought imports. No matter what time of year it is, you can save money by making restaurant-quality meals at home from frozen ingredients in your own backyard garden.
4. It’s delicious
It may be a given – but frozen produce is delicious! By freezing ripe veggies, you can freeze them. By freezing ripe vegetables, you can enjoy the delicious, crisp taste of home-grown autumn vegetables long after your neighbors have had to resort to store-bought or seasonal fruit and vegetables.