Right now, farmer’s markets and grocery stores are bursting with wonderful summer fruits and vegetables. It’s tempting to stock up on peppers, onions, summer squash, eggplant, and tomatoes, but how do you use them up before they spoil? Here’s an easy way to preserve that great summer flavor: use your freezer.
I was inspired to freeze bell peppers after seeing sliced frozen peppers at Trader Joe’s. If TJ’s could do it, why not me? Here’s how I did it:
Buy several large, firm, unblemished peppers. I chose a mix of green, red and orange bell peppers and yellow Italian frying peppers. Rinse peppers and drain.
Slice peppers in half to remove core, stem and seeds.
Set up the food processor with a slicing disc, and start slicing peppers. Or simply use a knife to slice the peppers. I used the food processor to save time.
Place sliced peppers in plastic freezer bag. Gently squeeze the bag to remove as much air as you can before sealing the bag. Put the bag in the freezer and use within 3-6 months.
The peppers are ready to use for fajitas, chili, omelets or any other recipe that calls for fresh peppers. Take out as much as you need and return the bag to the freezer.
Other fruits and veggies to try:
- Blueberries, blackberries or raspberries – great in smoothies or liquados
- Cherries
- Peaches (squeeze a little lemon juice on the sliced fruit to keep it from turning brown)
- Green beans
- Onions
So stock up on your favorite summer produce and freeze what you can. You’ll have ready access to lots of frozen fruits and vegetables so it’s easy to add nutritious, healthy flavors to your meals. Freeze now and enjoy the fresh taste of summer in the cooler months ahead!
