How to Prepare Potatoes for Freezing

Blanching potatoes helps preserve the flavor.

Saving money on food is important for many consumers. With the increasing cost of fruits and vegetables, wasting food is not an option. Fresh vegetables can spoil within a day or two, especially organic. Many vegetables can be preserved for a longer period by freezing them. However, it can be difficult to freeze some vegetables, like potatoes. Potatoes can lose taste, color and texture if not frozen properly. Blanching potatoes, dipping them into boiling water for a short period of time, is a good method to prepare potatoes for freezing.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp serrated knife
• Potato peeler (optional)
• 1 large pot
• Freezer bags

Instructions

1. Clean the potatoes. Put the potatoes in a large bowl or sink filled with water. If they are straight from a garden, make sure you clean all of the soil off of the potatoes.

2. Scrape or peel your potatoes and rinse them under cool water.

3. Fill a large pot with water, place it on a burner and allow the water to boil over medium heat.

4. Blanch the potatoes. Put the potatoes in the boiling water and allow them to heat for three to five minutes, depending on the size. Blanching stops enzymes that cause food to lose its flavor, color and texture. It also cleanses any remaining surface dirt and organisms.

5. Cool the potatoes. Remove the potatoes from the boiling water and allow them to cool by placing them in ice water for five to 10 minutes.

6. Drain the potatoes. Carefully put them in freezer bags or plastic containers. Do not fill the bag to the top.

7. Place the bags of potatoes in your freezer.

References

• PickYourOwn.org: How to Freeze Potatoes
• Best-Potato-Recipes.com: Rules for Freezing Potatoes