How to Freeze Vegetables - No Blanching

Years ago, when raising my children, we had a really large garden, and were blessed with an over-abundance of vegetables. I canned a lot, and froze a lot.
Freezing is easier and quicker, and in my opinion, more of the original flavor is retained.
If you have a freezer and a garden, or even if you just want to keep a few things, you may want to try freezing.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic zip bags (quart and gallons
• plastic containers
• freezer tape
• permanent marker

Instructions

1. To blanch or not to blanch
   I did it both ways and since I saw very little difference, I don't blanch, except for tomatoes. Blanching is putting your vegetables in boiling water, bringing them back to a boil, and removing them to cold water.

2. 

   Green Beans
   If you like to cook your green beans whole, then just remove the ends before freezing. Otherwise, break the beans into bite-size pieces. Wash and dry and put in bags or containers.

3. 

   Corn on the cob
   Wash and remove silks and dry as much as possible. Place whole in gallon bags.

   Corn off the cob
   For a creamed corn, using a sharp knife carefully, skim over the top of the kernels just enough to break them open.
   Hold the corn up touching the bottom of the pan and scrape with your knife down the cob.
   I have a really good recipe for cooking creamed corn that everyone loves, but I'll save that for another time.
   For whole kernel corn
   Scrape the corn off as close to the cob as possible without scraping the cob.

4. 

   Zucchini
   Wash the zucchini well and dry.
   Using a grater, grate into julienne strips, and place enough for a recipe for zucchini bread to make later.
   Slice zucchini to put in stir fries and soups; place in quart bags.

5. 

   Green Peppers and Onions
   Wash and dry and chop or dice and place in bags.
   Cabbage
   Grate the cabbage for use later in a creamed cabbage recipe, or in soups and stews.
   Tomatoes
   Dip tomatoes in boiling water to aid in removing the skin. Place in bags and freeze.
   Make cabbage rolls with your cabbage and freeze.

Tips & Warnings

• Personal preference for freezing is putting the prepared vegetables first, in a plastic bag, wrap this bag with paper towels and place inside another plastic bag. This helps prevent freezer burn and ice crystals from forming.

• Use freezer tape on the front of the bag to label contents and date with a permanent marker.

• When preparing the tomatoes wear rubber gloves and use tongs to pick up the tomatoes from the boiling water or a large ladle.