10 Unexpected Foods You Can Freeze 0 10

We are all used to storing meat, vegetables, and mushrooms in the freezer. But did you know that there are many other foods that freezing can extend their shelf life and make cooking easier?

Of course, you shouldn't just throw everything into the freezer. This is especially true for foods with high moisture content, as noted by aussiedlerbote.de. Nevertheless, there are those that culinary experts recommend freezing. So, we present to you 10 foods that you can unexpectedly store in the freezer.

Butter

If you notice a sale on butter and decide to stock up, don't worry about it going bad. Just place it in the freezer right in its packaging. The main thing is that the butter is well sealed. You can additionally wrap it in plastic wrap.

This will help prevent it from absorbing foreign odors. When you need the butter, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw a bit. Ideally, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator a day before use. But if you need it urgently, leave it at room temperature for a while.

Avocado

Frozen banana smoothies have already become a classic, and you can use the same approach for avocados. It is important to freeze them before they are fully ripe. They can then be used for smoothies, salad dressings, or muffin batter.

Garlic

Peel the garlic cloves, press them through a garlic press, and place the resulting paste in a bowl. Add a bit of neutral-flavored oil, about a teaspoon per head. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet or board in an even layer and place it in the freezer.

Once the garlic is frozen, gather it and transfer it to a container. Store it in the freezer until you need to season soups, stews, sauces, and more. Frozen garlic retains its qualities for up to a month.

Fresh Pasta

While dry pasta can be stored in your pantry indefinitely, fresh pasta has a shorter shelf life. Fortunately, you can extend the life of everything from spaghetti to lasagna sheets.

Many do not know that fresh raw pasta freezes well. As with garlic, freeze the baking sheet with raw pasta for 20 minutes or until it becomes firm, then transfer it to the freezer or a lidded container. They will maintain their quality for up to a month, so plan to use them within that time frame.

When the time comes, simply take out the pasta, let it thaw, and reheat it in the microwave. Or pour boiling water over it in a colander.

Raw Egg Yolks

Do not freeze cooked egg whites and dishes containing them. Freezing and crystallization destroy cellular structures, leading to a loss of texture upon thawing.

However, you have the green light for freezing egg whites! They often remain when you use yolks in custards, aioli, and ice cream.

Pour the leftover egg whites into ice cube trays and freeze. A day before use, take out the required amount and transfer it to the refrigerator. They will thaw without losing their properties.

Bacon

Simply store bacon in the freezer. This will solve the problem of quick and easy breakfast preparation. It can be eaten on its own, added to omelets and sandwiches, or used as a base for roll-ups.

Roll a piece of bacon into a roll, freeze it in that form, and then transfer it to a container. In this state, it can be stored for up to six months. However, it is important to note that bacon is the only type of meat that can be stored this long in a home freezer.

Flour

While white flour can be stored at room temperature for many years, whole grain flour spoils much faster due to its high fat content.

Store types of flour such as almond, oat, and coconut in the freezer in large containers with lids. You can use it as needed. Flour retains its quality in the freezer for about a year.

Citrus Zest

While whole citrus fruits or their segments do not handle low temperatures well due to their high moisture content, zest is perfect for freezing.

Peel the zest from a whole fruit, such as a lemon, lime, or orange. Place the grated zest on a plate and freeze. Once it hardens, transfer it to a zip-lock bag and keep it in the freezer.

The zest does not need to be thawed. Just add a pinch to cookies or other dishes.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is another product that freezes well. For example, if you cooked chicken meat for a salad but are not planning to make soup right now, just send the broth to the freezer. You can also use ice cube trays if you need it for adding to other dishes. Or pour the cooled broth into a container.

When it’s time to thaw it, transfer the cubes to a pot and turn the heat on low to let them melt slowly.

If the broth was in a container, hold the plastic packaging under warm water. This will help the frozen liquid release from the walls, allowing it to be transferred to the pot. Then continue to melt it over low heat.

Chicken broth can be stored in the freezer for 2–3 months.