Frozen vegetables can be an excellent alternative

The day to day of many people has changed and we have to adapt to these moments. Therefore, where we most realize the need for change is in food, as we often don't have much time to prepare them. As a result, many doubts and difficulties arise about how we should store perishable foods. In this way, check out the following information on how to freeze vegetables to be more practical in the routine, so that they last longer and avoid waste.

Read more: Ranking of the 5 healthiest vegetables to include in your diet

How long can you store food in the freezer?

In general, frozen vegetables have a shelf life of 12 months, while fruits have a shelf life of 6 months and spices, 3 months. Below you will see tips on how to store different foods to optimize the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables:

• Broccoli: clean them well, steam them for 3 minutes and then freeze them. Lasts up to 12 months frozen.
• Onion: freeze chopped or sliced, and it will last up to 10 months in the freezing process.
• Zucchini: freeze raw and sliced, like this, for up to six months.
• Cassava: it must be frozen raw, after being cleaned and cut into pieces, remaining good for consumption for up to six months.
• Banana and tomato: cut into slices and freeze, and they can keep for up to six months in the freezer.
• Beet: clean them well, cut them into cubes or slices and cook them for five minutes. Then just freeze, and can remain for up to eight months.
• Eggplant: clean them well, cut as you wish and cook for 3 minutes. Afterwards, just freeze it, and it will last up to eight months frozen.
• Carrot: clean, cut into cubes or slices, cook for five minutes and then freeze. If you prefer, you can grate and freeze raw. Both forms will remain suitable for use for up to 12 months.
• Kale and Spinach: sanitize and cook in boiling water for two minutes, then you can freeze, lasting up to 12 months stored.

Storage recommendations

After washing the vegetables, it's important that you dry them and store them in the fridge for up to three days. Fruits and vegetables, if not dry, should be stored at natural/room temperature. In the case of chopped fruits or vegetables, it is recommended to store them in a glass container and refrigerate.

Storing food in the freezer or freezer

However, to make your food last longer, especially if you don't know when you're going to use it, it's best to freeze it. Although this process requires some important precautions, it becomes a good option. Therefore, the first and most important step is to keep these foods clean.

Vegetables, on the other hand, must undergo a bleaching procedure, in which they must be boiled quickly in order to inactivate enzymes, reduce the microbiological load and thus eliminate some bacteria.