How to freeze green peas at home for the winter: recipes for preparing frozen peas and their further use

Many people are accustomed to the fact that tasty and juicy foods can only be consumed seasonally. But don't forget about freezing. Green peas, like many other products, are ideal for freezing for the winter. The process will not take more than half an hour, and you can enjoy the taste until the onset of the new season.

At the same time, peas are absolutely unpretentious in relation to their neighbors in the freezer. Today you will learn how to freeze green peas for the winter at home and enjoy delicious dishes.

Which peas to choose for freezing

The success of freezing and the taste of the product depend on the correct selection of peas. First, make sure that the pod is elastic and dense. If it feels too soft, slightly open or rough, it won’t work. It is better to eat it immediately.

Secondly, look at the color. Rich green is ideal. With a white tint, yellow, golden, brownish are not suitable for winter preparations.

Third, try lightly pressing the peas to determine their texture. It's difficult, but possible. It's best if they are meaty. Unripe peas are too soft, while overripe peas, on the contrary, are hard.

Important ! Do not open the pods if you plan to freeze the peas in the pods. Excess air will make the beans taste unpalatable.

Preparing the refrigerator

Peas are not too picky about being in the freezer. Of course, it is better to have a separate container for legumes. If this is not available, take care of sealed packaging . If you pack in a plastic bag, make sure there are two of them, not one. Peas do not really absorb foreign odors, but this does not mean that they can be placed in the same compartment, for example, with fish.

There is an interesting feature. Peas will retain their taste and beneficial qualities much longer if they are stored in a compartment with a very low temperature for the first two weeks. Suitable - about 18 degrees below zero. Modern freezers are equipped with a similar function, but if your model is not one of them, do not worry. You will just need to eat the peas 2-3 months faster.

Don't forget about the most basic things. The box must be clean and dry. The same applies to the containers in which you will freeze the product.

How to freeze

Peas are a product that can be frozen in many ways. The choice depends on how you intend to use it in the future and on storage conditions.

Raw peas

How to freeze raw peas:

Rinse the pods in cool water.
Lay out a towel. Dry.
If you notice a defective pod, it is better not to freeze it.
Peel the peas.
Pack into bags or plastic containers.

Attention ! Wash the peas while they are still in the pods. There is no need to rinse the beans.

Peeled peas after blanching

This is one of the simplest methods that does not require a lot of time and various actions. We recommend using it if you are going to prepare salads from frozen beans in the future.

Procedure:

Pre-select quality peas and remove all debris.
Boil the water.
Add peas to boiling water. You can drain the beans using a colander.
Leave in water for 1-2 minutes.
Fill a container with cold water, you can even add ice.
Transfer the workpiece from hot water to cold.
Leave for 10-12 minutes.
Lay out kitchen towels. Dry the peas.
Seal the dried beans.
Place in the freezer.

Pre-blanched in pods

The process is identical to the previous recipe:

Select elastic green pods.
Rinse thoroughly in cool water.
Boil the water.
Place the pods in a colander. You can blanch in several batches.
Place in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Prepare a container of ice water in advance.
Place the pods in cold water for 10 minutes.
Lay out a towel.
Dry the pods thoroughly evenly on all sides.
Pack and put in the freezer.

Important ! Don't forget to cut off the tails of the pods.

Pea pods must be dry. Do not package wet beans.

Peas that are slightly overripe

Fruits of ideal ripeness for freezing are not always available. It happens that the harvest is overripe. What to do? Don't despair - these peas can also be frozen. In this case, the blanching method will come to the rescue again:

Rinse the pods. Remove the tails. Do not use fruits with spots.
Hull the peas.
Put the water on fire.
Place the peas in a colander and rinse. Repeat 2-3 times.
While the water is boiling, prepare a second container of very cold water.
Place a colander in boiling water for 1-2 minutes.
Transfer beans to ice water.
Dry after 10 minutes.
Package and store.

The temperature contrast helps preserve the color and shape of the legumes.

Important ! The recipe is only suitable for slightly overripe peas. If the fruits are completely dry, it is impossible to “reanimate” them.

Peas in pods

The pods can be frozen whole or cut into oblong pieces. It all depends on the degree of maturity. If the pod is already becoming convex, it will not be possible to cut it. But a flat one is possible.

Procedure:

Cut the tails off the pods.
Remove the vein that connects the two flaps. This is easy to do by picking up the edge with a knife.
Rinse the pods in cool water.
Put the water on fire.
Place the workpiece in boiling water for 1 minute. Then dry the scalded pods.
Once they are completely dry, pack them in containers or plastic bags.
Avoid getting moisture into the container.

Canned peas

It happens that you open a can of peas, but all of them are not useful, and it’s a pity to throw away the rest. Smart housewives know that canned peas can be frozen:

Transfer the peas to a colander or sieve.
Rinse well.
Place on a towel and let dry completely.
Place in a container and store.

Important ! You should not count on a high content of vitamins in frozen canned peas.

This product is well suited for adding to salads.

In ice trays

An interesting method that is becoming increasingly popular. Ice trays are provided in any freezer and differ only in shape and size. How to use them to freeze peas:

Select quality peas.
Clean.
Rinse the peas. Dry well.
Fill ice cube trays with beans.
Fill with water.
Freeze for 12 hours.
After this, carefully remove the frozen product from the mold and transfer it to a container for long-term storage. You don’t have to do this if you have the opportunity not to use the molds for other purposes for a long time.

Note! Be careful when filling the molds. Remember that when frozen, water expands the shape slightly. To prevent damage, leave a little free space at the top.

What can you cook from it?

Green peas, prepared using the methods described, are used to prepare various dishes.

Among them:

salads;
stew;
soup;
aspic;
pea puree;
as an integral part of pies filling;
as a separate dish.

Considering the simplicity of preparing green peas for the winter, doing this will not be difficult for the housewife, which will allow you to diversify the menu of your household and replenish their daily diet with summer vitamins even in the winter cold.

Useful tips

Any of the methods requires knowledge of several tricks:

If you put the peas in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, this will eliminate the bitterness.
Blanching helps preserve the color and shape of the fruit.
Thoroughly dried peas will never stick together or lose their round shape. But if it's wet, there can be trouble.
If you plan to use peas to decorate dishes in the future, maintaining their shape is especially important. To do this, freeze the peas first on a flat surface (cutting board, baking sheet). After 12 hours, transfer the workpiece to a container.

How long can you store

If you keep peas at a temperature below 18 degrees, 8-10 months of ideal storage are guaranteed. If the chamber freezes at a higher temperature, it is better to use the product within six months. Canned frozen peas should be eaten within 4 months.

Advantages and disadvantages

Using frozen peas has a number of advantages:

the product is cheap;
available at any time of the year;
with proper quick freezing, all vitamins are preserved;
Suitable for immediate cooking, no need to defrost.

Unlike a canned product, a frozen one contains more nutrients.

Like any other product, green peas may be contraindicated for people with individual intolerance.

How to defrost correctly

We've dealt with freezing, now it's important to learn how to defrost the product correctly. Everything is simple here, there are no special secrets, except perhaps the presence of sugar during cooking.

Procedure:

Put the water to boil.
Add a pinch of salt and sugar to boiling water. Mix thoroughly.
Place the frozen peas in the pan.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Rinse the peas under ice water using a colander or other container.

Thanks to sugar, the rich color of the legumes is preserved during defrosting. Pre-defrosting at room temperature is not necessary, as the peas become too soft and overcooked.

Basic ways to store peas for the winter. Canning

The harvested crop of fresh green peas can be preserved using the following methods:

A good way to stock up on peas for the winter is to can them:

Free the legumes from the shells, remove yellowed and damaged pea seeds.
Wash the peas and place them in boiling salted water.
After three to five minutes, drain the liquid.
Rinse the peas with warm water.
Pour the legumes into clean jars (0.5 liters) and add hot brine (a tablespoon of salt per liter of water).
Add a quarter teaspoon of vinegar to each jar.
Roll up the container and place it upside down.

There is no need to wrap the jars of peas; they should cool at room temperature. The filled container should be moved to the cellar or placed in the refrigerator.

Canned peas will remain in excellent condition until the next harvest.

What dishes should I add frozen peas to?

Frozen green peas are used in the same dishes as the fresh product. When properly frozen, the taste remains unchanged. The salads turn out very beautiful. Canned peas are dull in color and softer in consistency, while frozen peas are firm and bright green.

For the salad

Peas perfectly complement a vegetable or meat salad, so feel free to add this ingredient to your favorite recipes. How to defrost peas for salad:

Put water on the fire.
Add a spoonful of sugar and salt to boiling water. Stir, cook for 1 minute.
Add beans, stir.
Pour in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
Cook for 5-7 minutes with the lid closed.
Remove the peas and cool. You can use a container of cold water.

Important ! It is necessary to cool down. When hot, do not put peas in the salad, otherwise they will lose their shape.

Frozen peas will ideally refresh Olivier salad and go well with salads that contain boiled potatoes. The dish turns out not only tasty, but also satisfying.

Pea garnish

You can make a hearty and healthy side dish from frozen peas at any time of the year with the addition of other vegetables. This dish goes well with fried or steamed cutlets.

Ingredients:

carrot;
onion;
frozen peas;
salt;
oil for frying.

Cooking method:

Chop the onions and carrots in any usual way.
Fry the vegetables over medium heat.
After 5 minutes, add frozen peas. No pre-defrosting is required.
Close the lid. Simmer for 7 minutes.

Advice . If desired, you can add a small piece of butter to the almost finished dish. The taste will become a little different, and the vitamins will be better absorbed. To add a spicy taste, add a mint leaf a minute before cooking.

Quick soup

The soup turns out light and tasty with the addition of frozen peas.

Ingredients:

onion;
carrot;
chicken fillet (any meat to taste);
1 egg;
salt;
1 liter of water per 500 g of meat;
greens optional.

Preparation:

Cook the meat broth.
While the broth is cooking, peel and dice the potatoes.
Fry the grated carrots and chopped onions in a frying pan.
Remove meat from broth.
Add all the vegetables to the broth.
After 10 minutes, add 1 cup frozen green peas.
Add the meat back to the broth.
Add salt and cook for 10 minutes.

You can add a boiled egg in portions to the finished dish for decoration. Greens are also added if desired.

Puree

Ingredients:

potato;
frozen peas;
1 tbsp. l. sour cream;
butter;
1 clove of garlic;
salt.

Cooking method:

Boil the potatoes for 20–25 minutes.
Add frozen peas. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, drain water.
Add chopped garlic, butter and a spoonful of sour cream.
Use a masher to give the dish the desired consistency.

Ideal to serve with fish.

Let's sum it up

Freezing peas does not take much time. Blanching preserves taste, color, and shape. Peas can be stored for a long time, up to 10 months. Legumes are frozen in various ways, depending on the features of the freezer and your own preferences.

The frozen product is great for vegetable, potato and meat salads, and a juicy side dish - for fish or meat. Pea puree without spices is included in the children's menu, and chicken soup will be appreciated by supporters of a healthy diet.

HOW TO FREEZE FRESH GREEN PEAS

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At the same time, peas are absolutely unpretentious in relation to their neighbors in the freezer. Today you will learn how to freeze green peas for the winter at home and enjoy delicious dishes.