Growing up, I learned that a freezer is a machine that stops time by freezing things. At least that’s the way my parents explained it to me when I asked why they keep freezing perfectly good loaves of bread. Of course, when I grew up I learned that freezing food was an effective preservation method for fruits, vegetables, meat, and even cooked meals (nothing beat opening countless yogurt containers only to find frozen Indian food). Heck, every summer, my family freezes bags full of blueberries so we can enjoy them all year!
Now that I’m entering adulthood, my fascination with freezing fresh and cooked foods shifted to skepticism. I would hear so much about the benefits of fresh food, that frozen food became the enemy. But, the truth is, frozen food is just as good, if not better than fresh food. Yup, you read that correctly!
The great thing about shopping local is that the produce you’re buying is incredibly fresh and is generally at contains the highest nutrient value available. But, over time, fresh produce loses much of its nutrients. This happens simply because they are slowly expiring, it’s natural. However, there’s a way to retain their nutrients for another time: freezing.
If you think about it, if you’re not shopping local, fresh produce takes a few days to make it to the shelves of your grocer. Assuming you purchase the produce the very day they arrived, you’ll be enjoying 3-day-old produce at best, that’s 3 days of nutrient loss. Of course, you’ll be enjoying much of your produce days later, giving the items more time to lose nutrients. Freezing stops the process dead in its tracks, and if you’re shopping locally, you’ll be enjoying the freshest possible produce weeks, even months later.
Fruits
For fruits, freezing is simple! You’ll only want to be sure you pick out any fruits and berries that are aged or on the verge of going bad. A bad apple spoils the bunch, and even though you’re freezing the fruits and berries, you don’t want to run the risk of them spoiling before they freeze. For berries, you can freeze them whole, but for fruits such as apples and mangos, you’ll want to cut them up before freezing. After sorting, wash them well and strain all excess water, pat dry, and place them in a freezer bag. Be sure to leave about ¼ of the bag empty. Freeze and enjoy!
Freezing fruit can be a little more complicated, but if you’re willing to put in the extra effort it can go a very long way. Check out our guide on how to freeze fruit to see how you can best preserve specific fruits.
Vegetables
Vegetables can be a little tricky because of one extra step. That step is blanching, something that is important for vegetables (and fruits that are treated like vegetables such as zucchini and squash) as it prevents browning and softening, allowing for the veggies to be of a more desirable texture when thawed. Blanching is essentially a quick bath in boiling water followed by an ice cold dip to stop any potential cooking that is occurring. The trick is to boil for 45-60 seconds then, using a slotted spoon, scoop up the chunks and put them directly into the ice cold water and remove. Pat them dry and place in a freezer bag and pop it into the freezer.
Be careful when it comes to blanching, though. While freezing may not cause a depletion of nutrients, over-boiling can. Many nutrients are sensitive to heat and if you over boil or wait too long to run the vegetables under cold water, you may lose some of the nutritional value the specific vegetable contains.
The freezer is your friend when it comes to fresh food preservation, and if you’re doing it right, you produce will taste as fresh as the day you froze ‘em! Give it a try and let us know what you decide to freeze! It’s really the best way to enjoy your favourite produce out of season!
FAQs
Freezing food doesn't kill nutrients.
Does freezing produce kill nutrients? ›
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is little change in nutritional value during freezer storage. But ultimately, whether or not freezing food changes the nutritional makeup depends on the exact food being frozen, and whether or not it's blanched or cooked first.
Does frozen produce lose nutrients? ›
Generally speaking, freezing helps retain the nutrient content of fruits and vegetables. However, some nutrients begin to break down when frozen produce is stored for more than a year ( 2 ). Certain nutrients are also lost during the blanching process. In fact, the greatest loss of nutrients occurs at this time.
Do plants lose nutrients when frozen? ›
In fact, ounce per ounce, frozen greens have slightly more vitamin K than fresh. This is because when greens are frozen, they lose some water, which slightly concentrates the nutrient. This is not true for all nutrients, though—certain nutrients are lost with the water, such as vitamin C. Best of luck with the greens!
Does freezing a banana change its nutritional value? ›
This option is particularly useful if you own a cafe. Many people have concerns about the flavour and consistency of frozen bananas. While it is true that bananas will lose their firmness when thawing takes place, the flavour and nutritional value will remain the same as fresh bananas.
What are the disadvantages of frozen vegetables? ›
Though most frozen vegetables are free of additives and preservatives, some may contain added sugar or salt. Some frozen vegetables may also be paired with premade sauces or seasoning mixes, which can add flavor but may increase the amount of sodium, fat, or calories in the final product.
Is it safe to eat 2 year old frozen vegetables? ›
The article says that "fruits and vegetables can be frozen for eight to 12 months before they deteriorate in quality." According to the author, frozen food can technically be eaten indefinitely, though it will decrease in quality as time goes on.
Is frozen fruit as healthy as fresh fruit? ›
Nutrients in fruit are at their peak right after being picked. Because fruit is frozen quickly, it retains nutritional value. If your fresh fruit is truly fresh, the nutrient value may be similar. If your fresh fruit was shipped and sat on store shelves for a while, it may contain fewer nutrients.
Is it cheaper to buy fresh or frozen fruit? ›
Frozen produce is typically cheaper than its fresh equivalent, especially out of season. There is minimal wastage and you can use the exact amount you need – all of which makes frozen produce more cost effective and accessible to more people.
Do frozen tomatoes lose nutrients? ›
Freezing is a terrific method to lock in the seasonal flavor and nutrients of tomatoes over several months. Tomatoes contain potassium and lycopene which have multiple health benefits such as a reduced risk of developing certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
If you have potted plants affected by a freeze, bring them indoors to recover. Do not put them in full sunlight but rather keep them in a cool room or even the garage. Moving a plant from 40-degree temperatures to the indoors with a 30-degree increase in temperature can also shock your plants.
Is frozen veg just as good as fresh? ›
Frozen vegetables can be a great part of a healthy diet. They give you the same benefits as fresh vegetables, and there are extra advantages. “Despite what you might have heard, frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as many nutrients as fresh produce, and sometimes more,” says Prof.
Should I water my plants after a freeze? ›
It is best to water in the afternoon or evening the day after a freeze so plants have had a chance to slowly raise their temperature. After a freeze, soft-stemmed, non-woody plants such as impatiens, cannas, elephant ears, agapanthus, amaryllis, begonias, philodendron and gingers may be pruned back to living tissue.
Why not put bananas in smoothies? ›
New Research Reveals Why You Shouldn't Add a Banana to Your Smoothies. Researchers have found that the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in certain fruits like bananas can reduce the absorption of heart-healthy flavanols, especially when combined with flavanol-rich ingredients like berries.
Does blending bananas with berries destroy nutrients? ›
But, there is a common mistake that people make when preparing their smoothie of choice. The new study found that smoothies combining bananas with berries proved to decrease in flavanols (a key nutrient in berries) after being blended together. Considering the health benefits of flavanols, this presents a problem.
Are green bananas healthier than yellow? ›
Green bananas are less sweet and contain less sugar than riper yellow bananas. They also have more resistant starch, which may benefit blood sugar management and your overall health. Bananas are incredibly tasty and easy to eat. What's more, they're rich in many essential vitamins and minerals.
Does freeze drying vegetables remove nutrients? ›
Studies have shown that freeze-dried foods often retain over 90% of the original fresh food's nutrition, much more than other drying techniques (air-drying, heat-drying) which usually damage micronutrients and phytonutrients — as easily seen by the large changes in the food's colors.
Does milk lose nutrients when frozen? ›
People can freeze most milk, including breast milk or human milk. Frozen milk retains its nutritional profile when it thaws, and the sooner someone freezes it, the better the milk quality after thawing. The enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins it contains may decrease very slightly but largely remain the same.
Does freezing nuts destroy nutrients? ›
Freezing food doesn't kill nutrients.
