What to do with squashes, how do I preserve them

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   Louis Taylorposted 14 years ago

   Hi,
   
   The squashes are ripe here, and they always get rotten by Christmas because of the humid whetaher here, cannot really store them in a dry place. Anyone has experience in freezing them, or other methods please? I would love to make a bit of pumpkin pie with my home grown veggies at Christmas
   Thanks

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2. 0

   EmpressFelicityposted 14 years ago

   I don't have any suggestions about preserving squash myself, but you might be able to find something here:
   
   http://www.pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm
   
   I have to confess I've never eaten squash (despite being a great veggie lover).  But if it's anything like courgettes/zucchini in taste and texture, then you could make squash ratatouille and then freeze it. This would be a great way to use up your tomatoes too if you've got a glut of them.

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3. 82

   habeeposted 14 years ago

   I have a hub about it.

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      Louis Taylorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Could you please post a link to it, cannot find it myself Thanks!!

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         Granny's Houseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I would either cut up and freeze or cook and put through a food mill or grate on a grater. Make sure they are freezer bags!

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4. 60

   h.a.borcichposted 14 years ago

   With squash you can cut them up like pumpkins, boil the pieces, peel the skin off, then put them trhough a colander before freezing in bags or containers. I grow butternut and acorn squash.

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      Ivorwenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is what my sister does with hers.  Then she has squash ready to serve and use in recipes.

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   tobey100posted 14 years ago

   Here 'bouts we wash 'em.  Slice 'em about an 1/8th inch thick.  Boil for one minute.  Cool.  Place in quart or gallon freezer bag.  Freeze.  Never had any problems with longevity or taste.  Quite simple.

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   SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

   ...why not make the pumpkin pie filling and can it?

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      tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Now I haven't thought of that.  It would work wouldn't it???

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         SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         sure it would...i used to can all kinds of stuff for the winter...and freeze berries so i have them on  hand to.

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   mega1posted 14 years ago

   If you have lots of room in your freezer you can just take the seeds out, peel and cut in cubes and freeze in freezer bags, or better yet get a Foodsaver and vacuum seal in freezer bags, it will keep a long, long, time that way.  The vacuum sealing is so great - I can buy bulk food so cheap and freeze it, meat, veggies, everything!  I even make soup and sauces, freeze first and then vac seal in these heavy bags.  If you have lots of garden produce to store, its a wise investment.  You can even make some pies and freeze them too!  now I'm hungry

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      SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      ...made me hungry too.....dropping by to say 'hi' Mega!

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   Home Girlposted 14 years ago

   If you grow your own produce, you definitely need a separate freezer. That way you can store a lot of veggies with  minimum hassle I should say. Why do you need to spend a lot of time canning things(that not very healthy for regular consumption)? You just freeze everything in convenient packages and voila! You need one - you have it. Work once - eat all winter.

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   relacheposted 14 years ago

   The strategy for squash at my house is to make soup and freeze it.

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    Ben Evansposted 14 years ago

    Squash (not just zucchini) makes really good sweet breads.  It can be substituted into a zucchini recipe.  They actually have quite a good taste and can be mixed with carrots and other vegetables like cucumbers for making breads.
    
    They also make very good yeast (non sweet) breads.

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       georgepattensonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Dead easy... dice, boil, let cool and freeze.  Most Squashes will last for a year in the freezer.
       George

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