Saving for a rainy day

Saving for a rainy day!
Cottshop

Think about freezing or canning. Of course freezing is the easiest and the least steamy. Vegetable only have to be put into boiling water and then cooked for about 2 minutes, and then put in freezer baggies. I put them in with their own cooking water and it seems to keep them from drying out. They last longer. Beans are great this way, peas I put in raw and they last the year, course they do lose some of their vitamins, but not more than purchased cans or frozen, and they taste better. Corn I cook in boiling water for 2 minutes, then run under cold water or put in an ice bath, then I take the kernels off with a sharp knife. The corn is then put in freezer baggies, frozen, and I have kept them for 2 years this way, that is if I have an abundant crop. This way it tastes just like eating it fresh off the cob. Freezing on the cob doesn't work as well for me and doesn't last as long, though it's good that way if you only keep them for 2-4 months. Do not store the vegetables in the freezer on top of each other, they won't completely freeze if they happen to stick together. Beans can be put into freezer bags raw if you use them up quickly. Carrots last for about 3-6 months in the refridgerator, just be sure to look at them and take out excess moisture every now and then, and one hint I learned over the years, carrots are sweeter if you let them go in the garden until after a frost! If I preserve carrots, I prefer them canned, they keep their flavor and texture better than frozen. Course they're sweet anyway straight from the garden if you don't want to wait for a frost. Beets I like canned or pickled best, Ball canning books explains how to do this. Tomatoes canned are delicious, far above store bought cans, and can be canned plain, as juice or sauces. I love to can them plain mostly and make my own tomato soup all winter (One jar of tomatoes, boiled with 1 meat bullion cube, a little worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to taste, and optional, a little rice) Beats all the store brands. Having your own vegetables in the winter is the way to go.

7/21/2006
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