Fill your freezer with fresh produce to save money, photo by Editor B

One of the best ways to take advantage of the abundance of cheap produce in the summer is to preserve it for use later in the year. In season produce can be bought in bulk at the local farmers market for a fraction of the price for the same produce in the off season.

Although there are many methods of preserving produce, the cheapest and easiest way is to freeze it.
Most fruits and vegetables can be frozen without a loss in taste and quality.

Some, like berries and peppers, can go straight from the garden to the freezer without an extra step. Others, like squash and green beans, should be partially cooked by blanching in boiling water before heading to the freezer.

What you need: To get started all you need is a little extra freezer space, a large pot, a strainer and some quart or half-gallon sized freezer bags or storage containers.

Directions:   For this example, we'll try summer squash.  Clear out your sink and put a strainer in one side and a large bowl or dishpan filled with ice and cold water on the other side.  Fill a large pot with at least a gallon of water and put it on high heat with the lid on.  While you are waiting for the water to come to a boil, thinly slice the squash.  Once water is boiling, remove lid and add up to 6-8 cups of squash.  With lid off continue to boil water and squash for 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove squash from boiling water with a scoop and place in ice bath to prevent the squash from cooking further.  When squash has cooled, move to strainer to let excess moisture drain.  Store squash in freezer containers or freezer bags and place in freezer.

Fruits and vegetables that freeze well: berries of any kind, peaches, apples, peas, green beans, summer squash, zucchini, okra, peppers

Tips: Most quart size freezer bags hold plenty of produce to cook for two people. If you regularly cook for more than two people or like to have plenty of leftovers, aim for half-gallon sized freezer bags. Clearly mark both the contents and date on each freezer bag or container so you can quickly find what your looking for when you get ready to raid your freezer.

Get creative with your freezer combos. Try freezing chopped onions, celery and carrots for a ready made base for Better than Mom's Meatloaf, Easy Pasta Primavera or Southwest Scramble. Mix blueberries and blackberries to use as the filling in your Perfect Fruit Cobbler or Dump Cake.  Mix yellow squash and zucchini to make Spicy Stewed Squash and Zucchini  in an instant.

Resources: For more information check out the freezing guide and quick reference guides for how long to blanch different types of produce.

Have questions, a money saving tip,  or want to share your favorite recipe? Email me at memphisbudgetmeals@gmail.com