How to Freeze Fresh Tomatoes & Vegetables

Freezing tomatoes allows them to be eaten at any time of the year.

Freezing tomatoes and other vegetables is a good way to preserve them for months when the vegetables are no longer in season. It's important to blanch the vegetables before freezing so they don't lose color or flavor. Blanching is a simple technique that quickly boils vegetables just enough to barely cook them and then chills the vegetables in an ice bath. This allows the vegetables to stay fresh while frozen. Tomatoes do not have to be blanched first, as they hold their flavor. Vegetables can be frozen for 8 to 12 months. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Tomatoes
Vegetables
Cookie Sheets
Freezer Bags
Large pot
Wire basket
Large bowl

Instructions

Freezing Tomatoes
- 1
  
  Choose ripe and firm tomatoes to freeze.
- 2
  
  Wash the tomatoes thoroughly. You should rub each tomato gently to rub off any unseen dirt and dry the tomatoes with paper towels. Once you've washed the tomatoes, remove the stem. Don't soak the tomatoes in the sink because contamination from dirt can be absorbed through the stem.
- 3
  
  Place whole tomatoes with peels on cookie sheets and freeze. After the tomatoes are frozen, put them in freezer bags, seal tightly and keep frozen until ready to use. If you want to freeze peeled tomatoes, put the tomatoes in boiling water for one minute. This will soften the peel so you can slip off the skin and then freeze normally.
Freezing Vegetables
- 4
  
  Choose ripe and good quality vegetables. You don't want soft spots or overripe vegetables.
- 5
  
  Blanch the vegetables first. To steam blanch vegetables you will need to put 1 inch of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Hang a thin layer of the vegetables in a wire basket over the water. Cover and steam blanch the vegetables for the appropriate amount of time (See Resources for a blanching time chart).
- 6
  
  Cool immediately in ice water for the same amount of time as the vegetables were over the steam.
- 7
  
  Drain the vegetables.
- 8
  
  Pack into freezer bags or other freezer containers. Freeze the vegetables and use as needed.