Can you freeze peas?
Can you freeze peas? Yes, you can freeze peas for about 12-18 months.
Quickly blanching peas in boiling water before freezing them ensures that they will retain their original texture and color when cooked.
How to freeze peas?
Freezing peas takes a bit of work, but the results are worth it. Step 4 is optional but it will make your life easier later on. Here’s how:
- Start by shelling the peas.
- Next, blanch the peas. To do this, immerse them in boiling water for 90 seconds. This operation preserves their nutrients, taste, texture and color.
- After 90 seconds, immediately plunge the peas into cold water to stop the cooking, then drain them in a colander.
- Once the peas are dry, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet with raised edges to prevent the peas from rolling. The idea is to pre-freeze each pea individually so they don’t stick together later. This will make it easier to defrost small portions. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
- Once the peas are frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag. You can use multiple freezer bags if you want to freeze individual portions.
- Seal the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents, then return the peas to the freezer.
What is the shelf life of peas in the freezer?
Fresh, blanched peas will keep for about 12 to 18 months in the freezer, while cooked peas will keep for about 10 to 12 months.
How to defrost peas?
It is not mandatory to thaw the peas before cooking them. You can add them as is without thawing them to soups, stews or vegetable stir-fries.
To enjoy them plain, you can steam them or boil them briefly.
For salads, let them thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before mixing them with the other ingredients.
