Below you’ll find instructions on how to store your vegetables and fruits. Many veggies and fruits freeze great making your harvest last for months. Freezing is a great way to make sure not to waste any of it and keep garden spirits year round. There’s nothing better than enjoying some fresh tomato sauce or a watermelon smoothie when it’s snowing out.
If you are looking for recipe suggestions check out the recipe page.
Asparagus:
To store asparagus refrigerate standing upright in water. It’s best to peel just before using. If it’s peeled earlier, wrap in damp paper towels, place in plastic bag and refrigerate.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing.
Beans:
To store beans refrigerate unwashed in a perforated plastic bag. Shell beans should be left in their pods and shelled just before cooking.
Can you freeze it? Yes.
Snap Beans: Make sure to blanch before freezing.
Update: I find that if you’re in a hurry, blanching isn’t necessary and the beans still freeze great. I cut my pole beans up into 3rds and then put in freezer bags.
Shell Beans: Make sure to blanch before freezing. Depending on bean size, blanch for 2-3 minutes. Loosely pack in freezer bags.
Beets:
To store beets leave in refrigerator vegetable bin. For longer storage layer in sand in a cool cellar with a temperature below 45 degrees.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended as they will lose texture.
Bok Choy:
To store bok choy refrigerate in plastic bag, don’t wash until ready to use. Make sure all water is removed from bok choy before storing or this will cause it to rot.
Can you freeze it? Yes. It’s best not to blanch before freezing. See full instructions here. Best used in casseroles, stir fries and soups once defrosted, as it will not keep it’s fresh crispness.
Broccoli:
To store broccoli keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Wash, cut into 1 inch pieces, and blanch before freezing.
Brussels Sprouts:
To store Brussels Sprouts keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. The longer they stay in the refrigerator the more their taste will get stronger which generally isn’t preferred.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Depending on head size, boil for 3-5 minutes.
Cabbage:
To store cabbage keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Slicing the cabbage into separate leaves will shorten storage time.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended as it will lose texture.
Carrots:
To store carrots cut off tops and refrigerate in plastic bag, don’t wash until ready to use. Carrots easily keep for over a month in the refrigerator. For longer storage keep unwashed in in a cold, damp cellar.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Cauliflower:
To store cauliflower keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Cauliflower is generally stores poorly so you should eat as soon as possible.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in soups and puree once defrosted as the cauliflower will become watery.
Celery:
To store celery keep wrapped in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator, occasionally sprinkling with water to prevent dehydration.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Corn:
Try to use corn as soon as possible after picking. If storing, refrigerate without husking. If husks have been removed, store in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Remove husks and silk. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Depending on ear size, boil 4-8 minutes.
Cucumbers:
Try to use cucumbers as soon as possible after harvesting. Pickling is the best way to store cucumbers.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended as it will lose texture.
Eggplant:
Eggplant generally stores poorly. Eggplant is best kept at 50 degrees so it’s not recommended to refrigerate. If you don’t have a room of 50 degrees, keep in as cool a spot as possible, wrapped in a plastic bag with some water paper towels to provide humidity. If storing in a hot season, you can store in refrigerator but it will develop soft brown spots very quickly.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Fennel:
Best to enjoy fresh as it keeps poorly. If you store it in a cellar it will last for approximately 2 weeks.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended as it will lose texture.
Greens: (Turnip Greens, Beet Greens, Broccoli de Rabe, Collards, Mustard Greens, Dandelions)
To store greens keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel. Change the towel occasionally, keeping it damp.
Update: Use the aluminum foil method, vegetables can stay fresh for weeks!
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Kale:
To store kale keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Leeks:
To store leeks keep unwashed with roots attached, and place loosely in plastic in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended as it will lose texture.
Onion:
To store onions dry them first, either by hanging them in mesh bags or baskets to allow air circulation. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate. Ideal temperatures are 45-50 degrees.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Chop them up and place in bag. Best used in cooked dishes as they won’t taste “fresh”.
Peas:
To store peas keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes.
Snow Peas: Shell peas, then blanch before freezing. Make sure all air is removed from bag before freezing.
Sugar Snap Peas: You can blanch before freezing but you don’t have to. To make it easy, I usually freeze without blanching. Here’s my how to guide . Make sure all air is removed from bag before freezing. Best used in cooked dishes as they won’t taste crisp.
Peppers:
To store whole peppers keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Clean, deseed and cut up the bell peppers, then place in bags. Do not blanch. Best used in soups and casseroles. Roasted peppers also freeze great.
Jalapeno Peppers: Put in freezer whole. When you need a jalapeno for a recipe, remove one from freezer bag and let naturally defrost or run under warm water for a few seconds.
Potatoes:
First place in sun for 2-3 hours to dry, then brush off dirt. Don’t wash. Store in dark cellar if possible where the temperature is 45-50 degrees. Tip: Layer potatoes with newspaper so if one spoils it won’t affect the rest.
Can you freeze it? No.
Pumpkins:
To store whole pumpkins keep in a dry area where the idea temperature is 50-55 degrees. To store pumpkin chunks keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Cook pumpkin in oven and then turn into puree.
Radishes:
To store radishes, remove tops and keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Not recommended.
Salad Greens: (Romaine, Iceburg, Butterhead)
To store lettuce keep whole and unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. If storing individual lettuce leaves dry thoroughly and store between layers of paper towels in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Update: Use the aluminum foil method, vegetables can stay fresh for weeks!
Can you freeze it? No.
Spinach:
To store spinach keep unwashed in the vegetable bin in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used in casseroles, soups or as puree once defrosted.
Squash:
To store squash keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Make sure to blanch before freezing. Best used as a puree or soup.
Strawberries:
To store strawberries keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Hull strawberries, keep whole and freeze.
Sweet Potatoes:
To store sweet potatoes keep in a humid, well ventilated spot at a ideal temperature of 55-58 degrees. Do not refrigerate.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Cooked mashed sweet potatoes freeze well.
Swiss Chard:
To store swiss chard keep unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze it? Yes, but only the leaves, not the ribs. Make sure to blanch before freezing.
Tomatoes:
To store tomatoes keep at room temperature of 55-80 degrees. Do not refrigerate unless used or punctured.
Can you freeze it? Yes. You can freeze whole tomatoes that can be used for salsa and sauces. You can also blanch tomatoes before freezing and use for soups, sauces and purees. Stewed tomatoes freeze beautifully as well.
Watermelon:
To store watermelon keep at room temperature. After cutting, refrigerate.
Can you freeze it? Yes. Chop into pieces and place in plastic bag.
