Store Green Peas For 2 Years

[shagufta]

Tie the shelled green peas in a cloth and dip in boiling water for three minutes. Then dip in chilled water for three minutes. Dry under the fan till the extra moisture is removed and then pack into airtight jars or sealed packets. Freeze and use when peas are too costly. They will not spoil for 2 years.

[Liketobake]

Why not just remove the peas from the pod and just freeze them directly? Once frozen they should keep for a long time.

[Jenyfari]

I guess it removes a bit of the moisture which makes for better freezing...maybe.

[mcnerd]

Blanching in boiling water is necessary to stop the enzyme action of fresh produce and the ice water is used to stop that cooking process so it doesn't go any further. Drain and flash freeze. I don't know about the fan drying. Never heard of it before, but may be an attempt to avoid food from clumping, but that's what flash freezing prevents.

Once frozen, put items in vacuum-seal bag for long-term storage. If one doesn't have a FoodSavor vacuum sealer, spend $10 for the new Reynold "Handi-Vac" unit and bags. I now pray to it daily. It is goooooood!

I actually "pre-cook" many time-consuming foods (chicken, rice, oatmeal, etc.) and vacuum-seal in individual serving sizes. Then I only have to reheat in microwave when I actually want to make a meal.

[Benton Tarantella]

To be honest, it seems like a bit too much trouble to go through. Everyone I know uses the methos Liketobake told us about and it never failed. I don't currently have a vacuum sealer, but perhaps I'll buy one in the near future to try and see what the advantages may be. Besides, I'm not very fond of peas, so if they are too expensive, I just don't buy any...

[mcnerd]

It's just part of the processes one goes through when preparing certain foods. Similar to the ritual of brushing one's teeth. Not exciting to do, but a minor necessity if things are going to turn out right.

I would suggest you try the new Reynolds "Handi-Vac" unit found in most stores now. Cost is $10 and is battery operated (batteries included even) and a couple sample bags.

Vacuum sealing is important for food storage and eliminating "freezer burn" when freezing. I love it for storing many items in the frig since they will stay fresh longer, like cheese for example.

[Dishwashboy]

I think that it’s too much just to store green peas. It is not worth the process. I wouldn’t want to do that entire thing so that I could just store some pea on the ref. This is not practical. Why should someone go to all that process?

[mcnerd]

You don't have to learn or appreciate how to properly prepare and can foods, but it follows the same line and reasoning why people like to cook instead of just going to restaurants for all their eating needs. Restaurants are definitely much more "practical" than wasting time in the kitchen. So why do individuals like to cook?

Quite honestly I don't can peas, but only because I don't GROW peas. People "can" foods because they have an abundance of it and need to do something quickly to preserve it. If you don't grow things, then of course the process of canning foods has no practical purpose or meaning.

But.....if a neighbor one day offers you a bushel of green peas from their garden? Hey, that's *FREE* food. Would you turn it down? I would hope not, but it immediately becomes apparent you need to have the equipment and the knowledge of what to do...unless you don't mind poisoning you and your family from improper food preparation.

I happen to get fruit from friends occasionally, lots of it! Latest was plums and they were VERY ripe. I made plum jam. Great stuff. Gave some of it back to my friend so he'll remember me next time.

I also will can some of my own food because I can do so without all the preservatives and Salt found in commercial products. I also have learned to make my own spices and condiments for the same reasons, plus they taste 10X better.