Freezing Foods in My New Freezer

It took me several days to be able to clean the freezer. Now, I am staggering across the kitchen changing things from the refrigerator's freezer to the upright freezer. Plus, things are plunging to the floor. I thought Tommy was going to help me with the avalanche that happens, but he thought I would tell him to come help. I did, but he kept going...lol.

I have found multiple pieces of chicken frozen in single servings, all cooked. I intend to use these up before I put more single servings in the freezer. Well, I froze 4 baked chicken tenders that will make two meals for two. And, the two thighs in one package will make two meals for him while I eat breast.

This works well for me! I can also freeze more cooked vegetables or blanched ones, whichever happens.

Tonight, I cut two huge bell peppers and have them quick freezing before going into freezer bags. When I put them in bags, I may cut more tonight.

Tommy is peeling, coring, and slicing apples for me to season and freeze for pies or whatever.

I bagged all the bread/buns/breadthings and have them stored on the door of the freezer. Also, I have strawberries and blueberries stored there. The bottom bin and shelf are for raw poultry. Other raw meats will be to one side of the raw poultry shelf.

There are about 12 lbs. of baby carrots waiting to be eaten or frozen. Likewise, there are probably 12 lbs. of of onions waiting for me.

Have you ever frozen potatoes? The internet and everything I know says NO. But, frozen potatoes are sold in the grocery store.

At the market last Saturday, I bought 6 freestone peaches for $6 and 6 tomatoes for $6. We are eating these, not freezing. OKAY,  he says they are too juicy. I will slice and freeze two or three of them. I could eat them all at one sitting, but I cannot have much fiber.

Tonight, Tommy had baked chicken tender, leftover baked potato,  diced tomatoes and Bell pepper with dressing, and a peach. I had baked chicken tender, baked potato with no salt, tomato with dressing, and peach.

It will be wonderful to have a freezer full of food that I do not have to process right that moment in order to have dinner! If there is another shutdown, I am not confident things I want in the way of food or supplies will be available.

My tomatoes will not be enough to can or freeze, just to eat. Freezing is much easier on me than canning, so I may go to the Farmer's Market on Finley Ave. and get a bushel of tomatoes and put those up in the freezer. It would be better to just get a basket and freeze those. Easier.

What are you freezing or canning?

Beware of Sales! Canning Peaches

At one store here in town there are terrific sales on things I want and will use. However, these sales are often not good for stock-up items. Miracle Whip was on sale for $1.50. I was ready to buy several, depending on the use-by date. That is important for MW.  However, the use-by date was in a month. I was grateful for the savings, but I only bought one jar.

So, Del Monte freestone peaches in a 28 oz. can were on sale at 4/$5, making the can $1.25. Regular price was $2.78, so I was thrilled.  Imagine my disappointment when the use-by date was 9/19. I bought four cans but intend to go back and buy eight more. I love canned peaches, and since I will not be canning peaches, this will have to do. The date will not be so important, especially as these will be used by next summer.

I love cottage cheese and peaches. This makes a meal for me or a snack. Of course, a dump cake works too, especially in the winter. Plus, I have used canned peaches for brandied fruit.

I do buy Elberta peaches when they are in season. A basket of six peaches is $6! However, they are so juicy and sweet that I get a dishtowel to put down to eat one. I bite into it and juice runs down my face! When I am ready to can again, I will drive to the farmer's market in Birmingham to buy bushels of peaches.

When I was about eleven-years-old until I was gone from home, gone to college, my mother would can bushels of peaches every summer. Daddy would show up with several bushels of peaches for Mama to can. At first, we did not have ac, so it was a long, hot, arduous job. When we got ac, it was just less hot, but still long and arduous.

She probably canned peaches before this time. But, this is when I remember and helped her.

When she got a full freezer, we froze peaches. It was still hot, just less hot. We loved to eat half-thawed for a dessert or snack. Just thinking about it takes me back to my teen years. I may just buy Elberta peaches, freeze them and then thaw them to eat.

There is nothing as delicious as home-canned or frozen peaches!

Do you ever find sales that are too good to be true and then discover they are almost at their use by dates? Now, I will eat older canned food, but really hate buying it almost old.

Did you ever, or do you can peaches? Is it a beloved childhood memory like mine? Do you love a juicy peach?