Yesterday, I was given three pounds of carrots. I've never bought that much. I don't know what to do with them (until I get a new stove (ordered but not yet shipped)), I won't be making any carrot cakes.
I sliced a few and boiled them in plain water til they were tender. I drained them and put them in a container to freeze. I'm thinking about doing the whole bag that way.
But, I am open to suggestions as to a better way of freezing them. I was wondering if a pat of butter melted and stirred in while they were still hot would help keep them from sticking together when thawed.
I have some lovage seed I might add to the next batch I cook. Tell me what you would do to these carrots while boiling or after, and before freezing.
Oh! I might try my hand at glazed carrots a little later on. Should I prep or freeze them any certain way knowing I might make glazed carrots later?
Thanks!
Hi likekinds,
I enjoy reading your articles on here!
The best way I have found to freeze carrots which I buy from the store is to slice them, boil them for 5 minutes, and then put the carrots in another pan of ice water, and then put them into Tupperware or other storage containers, or freezer bags.
I like to save frozen dinner plastic plates and put carrots in all the compartments to freeze and then cover them with those little covers that look like shower caps. They are easy to reheat in the microwave this way.
I will sometimes freeze canned vegetables this way by taking them out and making a medley of vegetables to have later in the week by putting them in clean frozen dinner trays and putting those in the freezer.
---Robin
Hahahaha! I love this ^^^ I do juice mine and freeze the pulp for later use to thicken up my spaghetti sauce or to make cakes with. It's so good.
In your case, without that juicer, I just do a typical blanch. Bring to a boil then drop in an ice bath, then freeze :)
I have already frozen the carrots but did not blanch them. Are they still safe to eat?
The carrots will be safe to eat, but they may not have quite the same texture after you cook them. I have never frozen them without blanching, but I have frozen shredded carrots for carrot cake, and they are fine. One freezes fruit such as raspberries or strawberries raw. They are perfectly fine to eat.
Louise, Nipawin, SK
Hi,
I just used some carrots I had tossed into the freezer without blanching them. I steamed them, but the texture was tough and rubbery. They were pretty bad. I ended up putting them in the blender and used them to thicken chicken stock for vegetable soup. The soup was wonderful.
Carrots will be safe to eat even after 3 months, my advice on preparing the frozen unblanched carrots is to defrost them, pan fry with a little butter and brown sugar till golden brown. Try this and you will freeze more carrots again. Also try using them in a beef stew (sorry from South Africa).
I have received a lot of carrots can they be frozen? If yes, must I cook them first before freezing?
By MJM
Blanch small whole carrots 5 minutes, diced or sliced 2 minutes.
Hi Schyresti. Glad someone else dehydrates, too. You can use them in regular cooking with veggies and powder them an use them for seasoning and thickening. That is with all veggies.
Can you freeze carrots?
By Alice
Yes. Blanch whole carrots for 5 to 6 minutes and diced/sliced for 2 to 3 minutes.
Be sure to give them an immediate ice water bath after the blanching to stop the cooking process. Pat dry with a towel, place in freezer bags and remove as much air from the bag as possible to reduce freezer burn.
You can also freeze them if they are already cooked. Just put in a plastic container or a ziploc bag, and put in the freezer.
What is the preparation for freezing carrots?
By AUDREY
Blanch them in hot water for about 2-3 minutes. When cool, transfer to freezer bags and store in freezer.
Ditto with MCW but be sure to drain and pat try well after blanching to reduce freezer burn.
How can I freeze fresh-grown carrots?
By Barbara A.
To freeze carrots you have got to blanch them after slicing and dip them in cold water to retain its color.
I have a few bags of "baby carrots", the ones that are about 2 inches long and rounded on both ends, the kind you put on a veggie tray for snacking. Only we got way too much. Can these be frozen like they are or do they need to be blanched?
By Klm
I had a lot of carrots given to me and I would like to freeze them. How long must I blanch them before freezing them if I cut them into 1/4 to 3/8 inch coins for freezing? And how long will they keep?
By Veneta from Flagstaff, AZ
Personally I wouldn't slice smaller than 1/2 inch (which takes 2 to 3 minutes to blanch) but if you do slice smaller then start checking tenderness at 1 minute. After blanching give an immediate ice water bath to stop the cooking process, pat dry well and place in freezer bags with as much air removed as possible. They should hold up well for six months and some people say as much as one year.
When preparing a lot of carrots for blanching and freezing, brush off as much dirt as possible, fill an old pillow case with carrots, tie it with string and use the rinse cycle in your washer to clean them...
