How to Freeze Home-Grown Potatoes
Home-grown potatoes straight from the garden provide the fixings for salads, casseroles and fluffy mashed potatoes. Storing them in a cool, dark area for the winter preserves both their texture and flavor until well into spring. However, if you simply don't have the room or can't provide the conditions they need, freezing them may be an alternative. But freezing does limit their use to either fried or mashed, as fresh potatoes or those cooked in soups or casseroles develop a mushy texture and flavor is compromised. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Paring knife
- Mashed potato recipe
- Twice=baked potato recipe
- Grater
- Deep fryer
- Vegetable oil
- Freezer containers
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
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Prepare you favorite recipe of mashed potatoes. Allow to cool completely and place in a freezer container. Freeze the potatoes immediately. To serve simply defrost and reheat in the microwave. Stir to fluff and allow to set for a few minutes for the best texture and flavor.
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Follow your recipe for making twice-baked potatoes and allow them to cool completely. Wrap individual potatoes in aluminum foil and place a single layer in a freezer container. Freeze immediately. To serve, unwrap the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Heat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the potatoes are hot.
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Pare and cut potatoes into 1/4-inch strips for french fries. Blanch in oil heated to 370 degrees Fahrenheit until the potatoes are soft but have not browned. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb the grease. Cool the potatoes in the refrigerator and seal in plastic freezer bags. Freeze immediately. To serve, deep fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit until golden.
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Grate potatoes for hash browns. Saute in oil until the potatoes are soft but have not browned. Remove from oil and drain. Allow to cool and form into patties with your hands. Freeze in freezer bags. To serve, brown in hot oil.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
