How Do I Bulk Chop & Freeze Vegetables
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the chopper I use in my kitchen to do various chopping. I bulk buy my vegetables, and chop and freeze almost all of them.
Previously I would ask all my kids to help me, by giving each a bunch or two of vegetables, and we’d all be chopping until the next few hours.
Now, alhumdulillaah, after buying this chopper, it’s been very different. And instead of me asking the kids to come and help, they come and ask me if they can chop too. It’s also dishwasher safe which should make cleaning it easier (we don’t own a dishwasher yet).
You get a variety of choppers in this brand, and each chopper comes with different blades and other accessories. The one we have is this:
However, if I were to buy one again, I’d definitely buy this one since it has the julienne slicer for carrots, ginger, and that’s quite time consuming to do by hand.
Now, here are some ways I chop my vegetables, and my must haves in the freezer.
Onions
I bulk buy a lot when it’s on sale (Carrefour usually has offers for 2.5 SR/kilo – you need to rummage for good ones tho, and I usually do that by wearing a disposable glove or a bag over my hand).
Then, at home, I first peel the outer layer of all the onions, cut them in halves, and into the chopper they go. I use the smallest cube blade, and chop until the bottom container is full.
After that I dump the container into medium-sized sandwich bags. The open part of the bag should be able to fold back nicely, or sealed, or else the freezer will stink. However, even with all the bags sealed, it does stink the first day.
These frozen onions are best used for cooking, sautéing, or frying. They do lose their crunchiness, so they’re not really good for salads.
Something else that I do that might help you all, too. I, sometimes, cut onions into fours and freeze them in bags. These are best for caramelizing. Once frozen, they’re really easy to slice further and use, and do not cause unwanted tears.
Carrots
These are peeled, sliced, chopped and frozen. Very straightforward and easy, depending on how big or small you want them.
If I had the julienne blade, I’d definitely cut some that style and freeze, too. However, I do shred them with my Braun Multi (?) and freeze them.
Potatoes
I’ve never frozen them, but I do use the chopper to make homemade fries and they turn out very good. Cut the potatoes in halves, and chop through the large cubed blade.
Bell Peppers
These again, once frozen, are best for cooking, steaming, etc. I use the large cube blade and chop.
I would love the julienne blade for bell peppers, too. Since I don’t have one, I hand chop it lengthwise and freeze them. They go really well with pasta and pizza.
Cabbage
We absolutely love cabbages here. They add a subtle taste to vegetable dishes like no other vegetable. This is also a must have in my freezer. However, one cannot chop cabbage in a cube blade chopper, so I use my Braun multi (?) to shred it and freeze it. The kids and I especially like to have it in vegetable fritters.
Other Vegetables That I Freeze which Cannot Be Chopped in the Chopper
Cauliflower/Broccoli
Cutting florets is easy in both cases, but I had a house help who would use the ends and make really nice soup and gravy with it. I’ve yet to do that, but it’s a nice way of not wasting food. So I do freeze the florets, but in shaa Allaah, I’ll freeze the ends too once I’ve a good recipe to use it in. (You can use the ends in soup, too.)
Tomatoes
I freeze them whole, and it makes it so much easier to peel the skin off while cooking. Also, frozen tomatoes, when blended make very tasty tomato salsas, and sauces. If you’d like, you can chop and freeze as well. I just find it less time consuming to blend it or chop it roughly after they’re frozen, since they cook really well after being frozen.
Beans
Very easy and straightforward, young children can also help you in chopping and freezing them. Almost all types of beans can be frozen. And if you’re short on time, you can buy ready made frozen beans.
Drumsticks
Again, very easy and straightforward. Cut to desired length and freeze.
Gourds
Uncharacteristically, my kids love bottle gourds. First, I had to learn which ones were ripe enough to buy. Second, I had no idea how to chop it. So, if you’re looking to buy a bottle gourd, (this is a bit icky, but we peel off the skin) push your nail through the outer skin, if it goes in easily, it’s perfect. If your nail is not going through the outer skin, it’s still not ready. As for chopping, you peel it, then cut it lengthwise from the center, then each half is further cut into semicircles, an inch apart. You can chop it smaller, but because they cook and blend so easily, the smaller they are, I tend to keep larger pieces.
Pumpkins
Honestly speaking, I usually buy the pre-cut pumpkin plates and freeze them directly. Sometimes you get really good value for money, and if it can save you some time and physical energy, then why not?
Lastly, Eggplants
Eggplants cannot be frozen raw. You need to bake or fry them before freezing. Sometimes I cube them using the chopper, and fry and freeze. Other times I slice them, then bake and freeze. Excellent for a quick mutabbal, salad additions, as well as for, of course, food.
So, I hope this list and the article helps you in cutting down your cooking time drastically like it has mine, in shaa Allaah. It’s certainly made a huge difference in my teens’ lives, who have started taking over the kitchen more than usual, especially when I’m busy or not feeling well. May Allaah bless them and you all.
If you’ve any questions or suggestions, please feel free to ask me in the comments below, or email me here.
