You might think that canning is the typical way to store your fruits and vegetables. However, improper canning can lead to issues such as botulism, which leaves you without a viable food source when SHTF. Instead, learning the correct way to freeze produce keeps everything fresh whether you’re facing a crisis or not.

Freezing Berries

Technique: Flash freeze

Arrange the fruit in a single layer on a sheet pan and leave in the freezer for at least four hours and up to a day or two. Rake the berries into a zip-top bag. Push as much air out and store in the freezer.

Freezing Okra, Zucchini, Corn, Shelled Peas, Green Beans, and More

Technique: Blanch and freeze

Bring a pot of water seasoned with a bit of salt (but skip it when you're freezing zucchini) to a rolling boil. Dice zucchini, remove kernels from ears of corn. Fill a large bowl with ice and water and place it to the side.

Place veggies in a blanching bag and plunge those veggies into the boiling water for a minute. Then dunk them into the ice bath immediately. Pat the vegetables dry and arrange them in a single layer on a sheet pan as detailed in the flash-freeze instructions above.

Freezing Apples, Tomatoes, and Butternut Squash

Technique: Cook and freeze

DeMent likes to roast them first (usually at 400°F for about 30 minutes). Roast tomatoes with olive oil and garlic. Slice hard squash into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch discs and roast them short of fully cooked. Cool your ingredients thoroughly, then place in zip-top bags, pushing as much air out as possible. DeMent turns apples into applesauce and then freezes it in ice cube trays.

Freezing Basil, Cilantro, Other Herbs, And Arugula

Technique: Compound and freeze

DeMent likes to make the most of fresh herbs by turning them into a compound butter or making a pesto and freezing both. She likes to freeze pesto in ice-cube trays. She takes the extra step of slicing the logs into pats before freezing for easy access.

How Long Will Frozen Fruits and Vegetables Last?

If you do plan to keep something in the freezer for up to a year take the extra step of vacuum sealing bags using a machine like a FoodSaver. It'll help prevent freezer burn and preserve precious moisture inside vegetables.

Do you have any other tips for storing fruits and vegetables for the long term? Do you follow any of the methods above for freezing your own produce?

Article Source: The Kitchn