Freeze Tomatoes,
Even if you don’t like the hassle of canning, I say go ahead and plant those tomatoes and freeze them. Just a few tomato plants can give you plenty to eat during the summer and some to freeze for the winter stew cooking months.
Here is a fast and simple way to freeze your tomatoes,
Wash 6 tomatoes and drop them into a pan of boiling water for 1 or 2 minute.
Then place them in a bowl of cold water for a minute.
The peels will fall off with a gentle rub.
Cut out a small cone around the stem end,
Slice the tomatoes into quarters, by slicing the tomatoes in half and then cut each half again.
Place the sliced tomatoes (not touching) on a cookie sheet and place it in your freezer.
Once they have frozen place them in a freezer bag, and be sure to write the name and date on the bag, for easy finding later. I put mine in a Gallon sized freezer bag and take out the frozen tomatoes by the hand full and drop them into my stew.
Tips - Green Tomatoes can also be frozen. Try slicing them in slices and freeze. Frozen slices can be dipped in flour and fried in hot oil without thawing. Salt and Pepper to taste.
Catch Carrotts and Celery on Sale, Freeze them.
Fill a pot with water and bring to boil. Clean and chop your vegetables. Put about a cup full of vegetables at a time in the boiling water for three minutes. Remove them and let them dry on paper towels. Once cool, lay them flat on a cookie sheet (without touching) and place in freezer. Label and date your freezer bags. Place frozen vegetables in your bags and place back in freezer. Use these frozen vegetables for soups or stews.
Buy In Bulk
I buy my meat in bulk or on sale and then I re-bag it into smaller portions and freeze it.
I buy ground beef in the 5lb. Loaf . Have you ever noticed that there is marks on the pack as a easy guide to cut it into 1 lb. Sections.
