Don’t you just hate it when you’re craving your favorite fruit or vegetable but you come to realize it is no longer in season? Worry not, now you can preserve your favorite vegetables and fruits so they can be enjoyed all year round.
Green peas are a versatile vegetable that can be used in several kinds of dishes such as rice, pasta and salads. Preserve them so they can be enjoyed in the summers too!
Green Peas:
Instructions
- Begin by removing the peas from their pods. The peas should be fresh.
- Once all of the peas are shelled, drop them into a pot of rapidly boiling water. Let them cook for just 1 1/2 minutes. Drain the peas quickly in a colander.
- Immediately transfer the peas to a bowl of ice water. This stops the residual heat in the peas from continuing to cook them. Leave the peas in the ice water for 2 minutes. Drain them well in a colander.
- Spread the blanched peas in a single layer on a tray or baking sheet. Make sure that it is one with raised sides so that the peas don’t roll off of the sheet.
- Freeze for 1 hour.
- Transfer the frozen peas to freezer bags or containers and label with the date. Frozen peas will keep for 8 months. They are still safe to eat after that, but their quality will decline.
Oranges:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds mandarin oranges, peeled
- 1½ cups water
- ⅜ cups sugar
Instructions:
- Peel the oranges, and discard the peels. Separate the segments, and carefully remove the pith from the exteriors and cores.
- Make a light syrup by combining the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve. Keep warm, but do not boil.
- When the syrup is ready, pack the mandarin segments into the jars. Pour in the syrup, leaving 1/2″ headspace.
These oranges should last you 2-3 months.
Strawberries are a much coveted summer fruit that go out of season before you even know it. Here’s an easy way of preserving them.
Strawberries:
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries and let them drain for a few minutes in a colander. Slice off the hulls (green parts). Leave very small strawberries whole; cut larger berries into halves or quarters.
- Spread the cleaned, whole or sliced strawberries in a single layer on a baking sheet or on plates. Freeze the fruit, uncovered, for 2 hours. This step is what ensures that the berries will remain separate once they are frozen.
- Transfer the frozen berries to freezer bags or containers. Label and date the bags or containers.
You can store strawberries in the freezer for up to 6 months. They are still safe to eat after that, but their quality starts to go downhill.
Carrots
Even if your desi side craves gajar ka halwa or your modern one craves for a carrot cake, soup or vegetable fried rice in summers when carrots are not available, you can easily preserve them for future use by using these simple steps.
Instructuions
1- Peel and cut the carrots in your desired shape and size.
2- Wash them.
3- Boil water in a pan and add 3 teaspoons of sugar.
4- Put carrots in the water for 5 minuits.
5- Strain the carrots out and dry them on a tray overnight.
6- Put the dried carrots in separate bags and freeze.
Contributes by: Ameera Mehmood.
