The household freezer is an invention few of us can live without today, both domestically and commercially. From huge refrigeration units and commercial coolers to home freezers and portable coolers, freezing food for convenience has become an integral part of modern-day life. However, there are some lesser-known foods that you can freeze to extend their shelf life and reduce waste. Here are 14 surprising foods you probably didn’t know you can freeze:
Avocados: Wash, halve, and peel the fruits before freezing them. Although not ideal for eating sliced after freezing, they work perfectly well for dishes like Guacamole.
Bananas: Freeze them as they are or peeled, and use them later for baking or making smoothies.
Butter: Stash wrapped butter in a freezer bag or coat it with aluminum to use as needed.
Casseroles: Line your casserole dish with freezer paper before adding your favorite ingredients. Once cooked and frozen, lift the contents by the paper, discard it, rewrap the casserole, and return it to the freezer for convenient defrosting and reheating.
Cheese: Grate hard cheese and place it in an airtight freezer bag (add a tablespoon of cornstarch to prevent clumps if desired). Remember to shake it before freezing.
Chocolate: Wrap chocolate tightly, refrigerate it for around 24 hours, and then freeze it for effective freezing. Thaw and use it for baking when needed.
Eggs: Whisked or separated eggs can be poured into ice cube trays and frozen for later use in baking.
Ginger: Freeze whole ginger by wrapping it or freeze it chopped or sliced.
Herbs: Finely chop your herbs of choice, cover them with olive oil or water, and freeze them in ice cube trays. Transfer the frozen cubes into a freezer bag for future use.
Citrus fruit: Freeze citrus fruit zest or juice them into ice cube trays before transferring the frozen cubes into a freezer bag.
Milk: Freeze milk in a glass or ice cube tray in an under-counter freezer when approaching its expiration date. Thaw and shake well before use.
Nuts: Prevent the natural oils in nuts from going rancid by wrapping them in plastic and storing them in a freezer bag.
Rice: Freeze slightly undercooked brown, wild, or long-grained rice on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for use in dishes.
Tomato paste: Freeze tomato paste from an opened can on a plastic-lined cookie sheet (ideally in tablespoons for convenience). Once frozen, transfer it into a freezer bag to avoid wasting an open can.
Remember to research whether a food item can be frozen before filling your freezer with frozen goodies. Freezing is a great way to preserve various foods and reduce waste, ensuring you always have ingredients on hand when you need them. Whether you’re looking to cut down on food waste, save money, or have convenient ingredients readily available, freezing lesser-known foods can be a game-changer in your culinary adventures. Experiment with different freezing techniques and enjoy the benefits of a well-stocked freezer!