How to Preserve Bell Peppers for Use All Year Long

Green bell peppers become yellow, orange and then red as they ripen.

Whether you saute them in a pan or throw them on the grill, bell peppers are the perfect complement for a wide variety of meals. These crunchy, mild peppers are also healthy for you, containing high amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as being a good source of dietary fiber. Bell peppers come in a variety of colors, most notably green, red, yellow and orange. You can purchase fresh bell peppers in bulk and store them for up to a year as long as you properly preserve them in the freezer.

Things You'll Need

• Baking sheet
• Plastic freezer container

Instructions

1. Slice the bell peppers into thin strips, discarding the stem, seeds and core. You may also chop the bell peppers up into tiny pieces if you prefer.

2. Spread the sliced or chopped peppers onto a baking sheet in an even layer.

3. Place the tray into the freezer until the peppers are frozen solid.

4. Remove the tray from the freezer and place the peppers into a freezer-safe plastic container or freezer bag, and remove as much air as possible. The bell peppers will last 10 to 12 months in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap small amounts of the frozen bell peppers individually in plastic wrap, then place in the freezer bag or container. This way, you only need to grab one or two of the wrapped bell peppers, without exposing all of the bell peppers to the elements each time you open the container.

References

• The World's Healthiest Foods: Bell Peppers
• Still Tasty: Bell Pepper/Sweet Pepper- Fresh, Raw, Whole
• Going Local; Preserving Sweet Bell Peppers; September 2008

Resources

• Start Cooking; How To: Bell Peppers; Jessica Howard
• What's Cooking America: Sweet Bell Pepper Recipes