How would I freeze carrots for stews ??

[DDRanch]

Hi everyone,

How should I freeze carrots for stews that I will make this fall?

Par-boil first? For how long?

or

?????

Thank you.
Anne

 

[lesa]

If you have room in your fridge (or an extra one) you can easily store carrots until fall. Mine lasted well into spring. You just need to keep them dry. I fill a large baggy with carrots (unwashed, unpeeled) and put a couple paper towels inside the bag to absorb moisture. I don't seal the bag tightly. I loose a few, but for the most part they are fine.
Haven't frozen any- looking forward to hearing others ideas. I have also stored carrots in sand in the basement, with mixed results...

 

[wsmoak]

I haven't tried it, but I think they'll get mushy if you freeze them.

I second lesa, they keep for ages in a cool dry place. (Bonus: they get sweeter in cold storage, Cooks Illustrated just had an article about this.)

 

[ducks4you]

There has got to be a way to do it, after all we buy them frozen.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've blanched them and frozen them for long term storage. They are not for fresh eating after you freeze them but are OK for cooking and would do for a stew or soup. Veggie soup is how I used my frozen carrots. I took this from an Illinois extension site. Hope it helps.

3.Water blanch small whole carrots for 5 minutes, diced or sliced 2 minutes and lengthwise strips 2 minutes.

4.Cool promptly in ice water for 5 minutes, drain and package leaving 1/2- inch head space. Seal in zip closure freezer bags and freeze.

 

[DDRanch]

I've blanched them and frozen them for long term storage. They are not for fresh eating after you freeze them but are OK for cooking and would do for a stew or soup. Veggie soup is how I used my frozen carrots. I took this from an Illinois extension site. Hope it helps.

3.Water blanch small whole carrots for 5 minutes, diced or sliced 2 minutes and lengthwise strips 2 minutes.

4.Cool promptly in ice water for 5 minutes, drain and package leaving 1/2- inch head space. Seal in zip closure freezer bags and freeze.

Thank you so much.