Freezing produce is an easy way to make your groceries (and budget) go further and here we will share 5 tips to make produce last longer. So, when you see a great sale on berries or broccoli you should buy because buying and freezing can give you delicious produce no matter what time of year without having to follow Mother Nature’s schedule.

You always want to eat a rainbow of colors from the produce section so take advantage of the sales when you can!

Tip #1:

Freezing should happen at the peak of freshness in order to guarantee the highest quality and best flavor after thawing.

Tip #2:

Remove as much oxygen from the container as possible when storing your frozen goods.

Tip #3:

Label your frozen foods. Don’t forget to include the date, type of food, number of servings and any additional identifying information.

Tip #4:

When freezing delicate, high-moisture fruits, try completely freezing them in a single layer before moving them to an airtight container.

Tip #5:

Before heading to the freezer, blanch veggies quickly in boiling water, followed by a dip in an ice bath.

 

Here are a few ways to use your frozen fruit and vegetables:

strawberry banana popsicles

Strawberry Banana Popsicles

Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large banana frozen
  • 12 strawberries fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup almond milk

Instructions
 

  • Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and put in the freezer until frozen, about 8 hours.

Notes

If your popsicle molds do not have a slot for sticks, add popsicle sticks in the middle after they have been in the freezer for 2 hours.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Banana, Dessert, Snack, Strawberry

 

 

Immune Boosting Smoothie

Immune Boosting Smoothie

Course Beverages, Breakfast, Snack
Servings 1

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
  

  • ½ orange peeled
  • ½ cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 frozen banana peeled
  • 1 frozen kiwi peeled
  • cup almond milk
  • ¼ inch piece orange peel
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground turmeric
  • 4 ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a blender and blend about 1 – 2 minutes, until smooth. Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Notes

Smoothies are very versatile. Try this smoothie with any frozen fruit or vegetable you might like. Try adding spinach or kale to get in some greens. Carrots will add some sweetness to your drink. Add any berries or frozen peaches you have on hand. Mix it up and make a different smoothie every day.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Banana, Beverages, Breakfast, Smoothie, Snack

 

Try this recipe which is made by blending frozen bananas and other fruits and flavorings into a smooth soft-serve ice cream consistency. Make it different every time by changing up your fruits and flavorings. Flavored stevia is a great way to change up the taste.

Mixed Berry Nice Cream

Course Dessert, Snack

Equipment

  • Blender or Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium frozen bananas broken into 2" lengths
  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries of your choice
  • 1-2 Tbsp pure maple syrup optional

Instructions
 

  • In a food processor combine bananas and berries. Cover and process until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed during processing. Taste and add maple syrup or stevia if needed for sweetness.
  • Serve immediately for soft serve. For a firmer ice cream, transfer the mixture to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze 1-2 hours.
  • Top with additional fresh or frozen fruit if desired.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Banana, Berries, Dessert, Snack

 

 

This recipe is delicious for the end of any meal!  The kids will love it too!

Honey & Peach Freeze

Honey & Peach Freeze

Course Beverages, Snack
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Blender or Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package 20oz frozen sliced peaches partially thawed
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • If desired, set aside a few peach slices for garnish.
  • place remaining peaches in a blender or food processor. Add honey and juices. Cover and process until smooth.
  • Pour evenly into four freezer-proof dishes and freeze.
  • Remove from the freezer 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with reserved peaches if desired.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Dessert, Snack

 

Tips for roasted or air fryer frozen vegetables:

Making roasted or air fryer frozen vegetables is a great way to turn what could be a soft and mushy vegetable into something delicious and healthy. Make your favorite vegetables like broccoli, carrots, green beans, asparagus, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Since frozen vegetables have more moisture, they won’t get as brown, crispy and caramelized as fresh but they will definitely be tasty. They will also be slightly softer but will still taste so much better than cooking them in the microwave, steamer or boiling water.

  1. Frozen Vegetables - roastedPreheat the oven to 450°F: This key to get crispy frozen vegetables. You will need a really hot oven and you also want to preheat the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet right in the oven as the oven preheats so it gets nice and hot. This will help to roast the frozen vegetables immediately as they hit the pan. The high temperature helps the liquid evaporate more quickly, helping the vegetables to brown.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°: Be sure the unit is preheated before beginning so your basket is well heated.
  3. Toss the vegetables with oil and seasoning: You will need to use oil to make sure the frozen vegetables can roast. Make sure they are well coated in oil and then add any seasoning you like. Cooking spray is helpful, but you also want to use actual oil – be sure it’s a healthy oil like olive, coconut, avocado or sesame.
  4. Spread out on baking sheet or basket: One of the most important steps is spreading the vegetables out in a single layer on the baking sheet or air fryer basket with some space. If they are overcrowded or on top of each other, they won’t roast or brown.
  5. Roast until browned and cooked: Roast for anywhere from about 12 minutes for a quick-cooking vegetable like zucchini to around 30 minutes for butternut squash, flipping the vegetables a couple of times while they cook. In general, frozen vegetables take about 20 minutes to roast in an air fryer. Some air fryers require longer or shorter cooking times, so adjust this general guideline as needed. If the vegetables stick to the pan or basket, they aren’t ready to be flipped. They are ready when they are browned on the edges and cooked through. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for some extra flavor.

 

#freezingtips #savetimeandmoney #enjoytherainbow

 

Want free anti-inflammatory recipes, downloadable resources and efficiency tips and tricks from a professional chef?  Of course you do!  Click here for the secret sauce! 

 

Get The Official Anti-Inflammatory Foods List Here

 

Referenced from our friends at https://nourish.schnucks.com/