The summer heat is still present despite the back to school feeling of fall. Before I joined the family farm full time I was a Middle school Literature and Writing teacher. Back to school time meant new resolutions and new school supplies! This year at the beginning of August I went to Office Depot, took a big whiff of all the new school supplies and convinced myself that the farm needed new dry erase markers, clipboards and a new item I was particularly excited about- dry erase crayons. WHAT? Dry erase crayons?! I bought two packs- one for my home and one for the farm. In typical Delvin farm fashion, all the new markers, clipboards and crayons are now broken, lost or no longer working. Oh well, at least we were organized for a little while! I haven't decided what to do with dry erase crayons in my home, but I'm sure there's a use for them soon.
Back to school also means back to quick dinners. No more leisurely grilling time, and the summer vegetables are making their way out to make room for leafy greens. Before they're all gone, now is the time to freeze those vegetables so quick dinners can be made in the Winter.
I'm not a big canning person but I love to freeze things. Recently I took a stab at freezing tomatoes- you simply cut out the core and pop them in a bag. I blanched them first to peel the skin off, but I learned after the fact that I didn't need to do that. Another item I like to freeze is bell peppers and hot peppers. I like peppers in just about anything. Freezing peppers is a breeze! There is no need for blanching like other vegetables. All you need to do is remove the seed from the inside of the pepper and pop the peppers into freezer bags and you're done! You can choose several methods of cutting them before freezing:
Back to school also means back to quick dinners. No more leisurely grilling time, and the summer vegetables are making their way out to make room for leafy greens. Before they're all gone, now is the time to freeze those vegetables so quick dinners can be made in the Winter.
I'm not a big canning person but I love to freeze things. Recently I took a stab at freezing tomatoes- you simply cut out the core and pop them in a bag. I blanched them first to peel the skin off, but I learned after the fact that I didn't need to do that. Another item I like to freeze is bell peppers and hot peppers. I like peppers in just about anything. Freezing peppers is a breeze! There is no need for blanching like other vegetables. All you need to do is remove the seed from the inside of the pepper and pop the peppers into freezer bags and you're done! You can choose several methods of cutting them before freezing:
- Cut the pepper in half, remove the seed and membrane. You now have two halves which can be put into the bags and used as stuffed peppers this winter.
- Another way is to cut the halves into strips which can be used in stir fries, fajitas, etc.
- Still another is to cut into strips and then dice the peppers for use in sauces, meatloaf, omelets, etc.
Either way you store them is easy and takes only minutes to prepare. You'll be so happy to have them at your fingertips this winter. It sure beats paying $5.99 a pound for bell peppers at the store in the winter!
So before the back to school time takes over too much make time to freeze some veggies. You'll thank yourself in January when you want some hot peppers to spice things up a bit!
-Amy
So before the back to school time takes over too much make time to freeze some veggies. You'll thank yourself in January when you want some hot peppers to spice things up a bit!
-Amy
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