Can You Freeze Squash?
Squash is a type of vegetable that is not available around the year in the market. However, these days, due to advancements in farming, you might get them in stores. But they are likely not as fresh as the seasonal ones, right?
So, what can you do to preserve the freshness of squash in the long run? Can you freeze squash? Yes, you can freeze squash. There are different types of squashes in the market and methods of preserving them might vary. Continue reading to learn more!
What Are The Types Of Squash That You Can Freeze?
Squash is available in multiple types. In this article, I will be primarily focusing on summer squash, kabocha squash, and butternut squash. While all three of them are under the same umbrella, each type needs to be frozen differently.
Freezing them means you will have a year-round supply of squash at home. While the freezing time may also vary from 2 to 12 months, depending on the type of squash you are freezing. Check out each squash and its freezing technique in detail in the following sections.
How To Freeze Squash?
As already mentioned, freezing squash predominantly varies from type to type. This is because each squash type has a unique characteristic that needs special attention while freezing. Also, freezing might be tricky if you do not follow the steps.
Freezing might seem easy, but improper handling of the vegetable might get it contaminated and thus unfit for the freezer. Therefore, freeze your squashes carefully. Check out the method of freezing different types of squashes below.
Summer Squash
- Use a sharp knife and cut the summer squash into 1/2-inch slices. If you prefer, you can also chop or dice them in halves. This can depend on the usage later.
- Put the pieces of squash in a pot of boiling water and cook them for at least 1-2 minutes. This will be enough to blanch the slices adequately.
- Once the squashes are blanched, immediately transfer them into an ice bath. This will stop further cooking, and speed up the cooling process.
- After they have cooled down, drain the squash and spread them on a paper towel to dry. Remove as much water as possible to boost the freezing process.
- Next is to flash freeze the squash. Spread them on a baking sheet, make sure they do not touch each other, and let them flash-freeze in the freezer.
- Once it is done, transfer the squash slices into ziplock bags or airtight containers. Whatever you use. ensure to seal them tightly.
- Lastly, label and date the containers and place your summer squash packages in the freezer. And it is ready to be frozen for about 12 months.
Kabocha Squash
- To freeze the kabocha squash, you need to clean the squash thoroughly. By cleaning I mean removing the stem, seeds, and the pith as they are not edible. Also, peel the squash.
- The next step is to cut the squash, preferably into cubes. Smaller sizes of the squash will not only boost freezing but also take up less freezer space.
- Transfer the cut squash pieces into freezer-safe bags. You can also use containers, but freezer bags are the most opted option.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bags and seal them tightly. Label and date the bags before putting them in the freezer. And kabocha squash is ready to freeze.
Butternut Squash
- Peeling is the very first step to freezing butternut squash. Get the skin removed with a sharp knife and then cut the squash into chunk-sized pieces.
- Next, boil the butternut squash chunks in salted water for about 5 minutes or until the edges are tender.
- You need to halt the cooking process and let it cool. So, transfer the softened squash into an ice bath.
- Once they have cooled down completely, remove the excess water and let them dry. You can also use paper towels to eliminate the remaining moisture.
- Then spread the chunks on a baking sheet, cover it with foil, and flash freeze the butternut squash in the freezer overnight. Make sure they do not touch each other.
- After that, take the squash chunks out of the freezer, transfer them into containers, seal the containers, and put them back in the freezer. That will be all to freeze butternut squash.
What Is The Best Way To Freeze Squash Without It Being Mushy?
The best way to freeze squash without it turning mushy is to flash freeze the squash before freezing. Also, make sure you remove all the excess water from the vegetable before freezing it. Water can damage the food item, which results in it being mushy.
Therefore, your main goal is to remove all the excess water before freezing the squash. This is the most effective way to freeze the squash without it being mushy. Anyway, none of us would like to have a mushy squash, so remember to do it right!
How Long Can You Freeze Squash?
The freezing time of squash depends on the type of squash you are freezing. Summer squash keeps the best in the freezer for about 12 months, while kabocha and butternut squash can be preserved for 2 months and 9 months respectively.
Whatever the freezing time, it is still a better way to preserve the squash for longer. You can always have a supply of ready squash for your meals. And this way you can simply skip the process of preparing the squash for cooking.
Can You Freeze Cooked Squash?
Yes, you can also freeze cooked squash. The only difference is that they will keep for less time in the freezer than raw squash. Cooked squash can only be kept for 1 month in the freezer. Post that it will possibly lose flavor and texture.
