Freezing carrots
Carrots are a popular healthy vegetable that contains a large amount of minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Its properties allow the product to be used as an additional treatment. Also, the vegetable has a positive effect on the eyes. If you properly freeze carrots for the winter, its properties will be preserved.
Freezing carrots
Freezing possibility
Properly freezing carrots for the winter at home allows you to store the product in the freezer, which improves access to it and allows you to use the vegetable when needed. This method is a good alternative to storage in the cellar and overwintering in the garden.
Freezing fresh carrots is a safe process that requires some preparation. Subject to the technology, the product retains all useful properties. Also, freezing your own carrots allows you to be confident in the quality of the product.
It is possible to freeze both raw and boiled carrots. Small root vegetables are subjected to the whole procedure, and large ones are cut into pieces. Also, freeze carrots in grated form.
Freezing rules
Freeze carrots for the winter should be according to the following rules:
- use of fruits without damage;
- performing preparatory sterilization:
- blanching;
- cutting into pieces of the same size.
Before processing at home, the fruits are thoroughly washed in cool water. Then the roots are peeled with a knife or a special vegetable brush. The top layer of the skin, as well as the tip of the fruit, is cut off: they do not contain useful substances.
Sterilization allows you to store frozen carrots at home for a long time without the risk of mold and mildew. Also, the procedure preserves the vitamin and mineral composition of the product, maintains a bright orange color.
Slicing and cooking
Before freezing carrots, cut them and prepare ice. It is better to cut into rings, cubes or straws. Freeze carrots must be the same size. This allows all food to be frozen and thawed at the same time.
Cooking is carried out in small batches. Pieces of the same shape and size are processed at the same time. The product is immersed in water immediately after boiling, the fire is not reduced. The cooking time depends on the size: from 2 to 5 minutes.
Vegetables should be chopped before freezing.
Water is constantly added to the container: it evaporates quickly. Immediately after the end of cooking, the pieces are for 5 minutes. placed in a container with ice. This allows you to stop the cooking process so that the product does not boil. Finally, the carrots are taken out of the water and laid out on paper towels to remove moisture. Then it is laid out in a container and frozen.
There is also an alternative cooking method where you first boil whole carrots and then chop or grate.
To prevent the pieces from sticking to each other, they are left on a baking sheet for 2 hours, and then carefully scraped off.
Freezing raw carrots
Grated frozen carrots are kept raw.The product is rubbed on a coarse grater and then placed in the freezer.
Freezing methods:
- In a large package. The vegetable is wrapped tightly and frozen. If necessary, cut off the required amount with a knife.
- Loose. For this, a large bag is also used. Shake the product a few hours after freezing so that it does not stick together. The advantage is that it is easy to take the required amount.
- In portioned sachets. For 1 preparation.
Freezing for a baby
To freeze carrots in a children's freezer, they are cut into pieces and boiled. To achieve softness, boil for 30-40 minutes, placing it in cold water.
Then it is crushed with a blender or crusher and frozen. Ice cube trays or small plastic cups work well for this.
Packaging
Frozen carrots are stored in the following packages:
- plastic containers;
- plastic bags;
- glass containers;
- vacuum bags.
Glass has a drawback: there is a high likelihood of cracks from the cold. Polyethylene tears quickly. Food grade plastic containers are ideal. Vacuum bags are often used to ensure complete tightness. A little air is left for storage so that the product does not break the bag when expanding.
A place
It is best to freeze the carrots in the freezer. This method allows you to store it at home for a long time. For temporary storage and a place for defrosting, a vegetable section with a temperature of 1 ° C-5 ° C is suitable. The lower the temperature, the better the product retains its taste and useful qualities.
Storage temperature:
- -8 ° C. Shelf life is 3 months.
- -20 ° C. Shelf life is one year.
- -35 ° C. The shelf life is 15 months.
Conclusion
Freezing saves time and energy for cooking. Often, carrots are frozen along with onions to add when cooking.
It is better to freeze a self-grown vegetable. Store carrots are treated with strong chemicals, which reduces their shelf life and impairs their useful and taste qualities.