Preserve your PA-veggie bounty and enjoy delicious, local vegetables all year long with these three easy tips!
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Frozen Onions and Peppers
What You’ll Need:
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 onion
- Non-stick baking sheet
- 2 large zip-top freezer bags
How to Prepare:
- Wash and dry the pepper.
- Remove the stem and core from the pepper and chop to medium dice.
- Cut off the top and bottom of the onion, peel it and discard ends and skin.
- Chop onion to medium dice.
- Lay out the onion and pepper pieces evenly in one layer on a non-stick baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid (about 2 hours).
- Separate the frozen onion and pepper into labeled zip-top bags.
- Zip the bags closed, lay them flat on the baking sheet and re-freeze for several hours.
- Check the bags to see that all the pieces are frozen individually and the bags will lay flat on their own.
- Freeze for long-term use.
Expert Tips:
- Make chili in a snap, or start any Taco Tuesday with ease!
- Use as a base for stir-fry or soup.
- Stack the bags flat in the freezer to save room.
Frozen Corn Kernels
What You’ll Need:
- Large pot
- Corn on the cob (as much as you want to freeze)
- Tongs
- Large bowl of ice water
- Large zip-top freezer bags
- Chef’s knife
- Large casserole dish
How to Prepare:
- Shuck the corn cobs and remove the silk.
- Blanch each corn cob in boiling water for 2 minutes and then cool in the bowl of ice water.
- Once cool to the touch, cut one end off the cob so it will stand flat and steady.
- Place the cob, flat-end side down and cut off the kernels, using a downward motion with the knife. The kernels will stay inside the raised edges of the casserole dish.
- Repeat with the remaining cobs.
- Place kernels in a labeled zip-top bag and freeze for later.
Expert Tips:
- Add to corn to chowders and crock-pot stews.
- Spike cornbread with extra sweetness and added texture.
- Combine with onions and peppers and sauté for a simple — and simply delicious — side dish.
Frozen Zucchini Shreds
What You’ll Need:
- Cheese grater or food processor
- Whole zucchini, stems and bottoms removed
- Zip-top freezer bags
How to Prepare:
- Wash and dry the zucchini.
- Shred the zucchini by hand or with a food processor.
- Fill zip-top bags with the shredded zucchini and freeze for long-term use.
Expert Tips:
- Use for zucchini bread or in chocolate muffins.
- Add into stews, or make a puree for a creamy zucchini soup.
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