Can you freeze squash?
Can you freeze squash? Yes it’s possible ! But don’t just store a whole pumpkin in your freezer! Instead, check out the method below to learn how to freeze your squash properly.
What varieties of squash can you freeze?
You can freeze any variety of squash, including:
- buttercup squash
- Butterkin squash
- Butternut squash
- Delicate Squash
- Hubbard squash
- Kabocha squash
- Butternut squash
- acorn squash
- Spaghetti squash
- Stripetti squash
- Sweet Dumpling Squash
- Pumpkin
How to freeze raw squash?
Blanching the squash preserves its color, flavor, texture and nutrients. It’s tempting to skip this step, but it only takes a few minutes and will make the difference between satisfaction and disappointment.
- Cut your squash in half, remove the seeds and peel it.
- Cut your squash into equal sized pieces; think about the portions you usually eat and do the same.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil then blanch the squash pieces for 3 to 4 minutes. Then, take the pieces out of the boiling water and immediately plunge them into a container filled with cold water to stop the cooking.
- Wash the squash pieces and let them dry. You can also pat them with paper towel to save time.
- Spread the squash pieces out on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other. The idea is to pre-freeze each piece of squash individually so they don’t stick together later.
- Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours until the squash pieces are frozen solid.
- Take the baking sheet out of the freezer and transfer the squash pieces to a freezer bag. Close the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents and put it in the freezer.
How to freeze cooked squash?
If you want to freeze cooked squash, you can use the same approach:
- Start by cooking your squash following your favorite recipe. Be careful not to overcook it, otherwise it will become mushy and you will have a hard time freezing it.
- Once cooked, allow the squash to cool to room temperature.
- Spread the squash pieces out on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other. The idea is to pre-freeze each piece of squash individually so they don’t stick together later.
- Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours until the squash pieces are frozen solid.
- Take the baking sheet out of the freezer and transfer the squash pieces to a freezer bag. Close the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents and put it in the freezer.
How long do pumpkins last in the freezer?
Most squash will keep for about 10 to 12 months in the freezer , whether raw or cooked. After this time, your squashes may lose some of their bright color and intense flavor.
How to defrost squash?
We highly recommend thawing your squash in the fridge overnight. This will prevent your squashes from losing their consistency. Admittedly, it takes more time, but the result is worth it.
Can you refreeze squash?
You can safely refreeze squash, but only once. Keep in mind that you should refreeze your squash soon after thawing it; try to limit this timeframe to 36 hours. Beyond this time, it is possible that bacteria will form.
It’s also important to note that you should only refreeze your squash if it has been thawed in the refrigerator. If they have been thawed at room temperature, there is a higher risk of bacteria forming.
Can you freeze a whole squash?
Yes, but what good is it? It’s best to prepare the squash before freezing it so it’s more convenient to thaw and cook later. You can freeze it in halves, but you still need to peel it and remove the seeds.
Can you freeze pumpkin seeds?
Freezing pumpkin seeds is a great way to store them. Unfortunately, they go rancid very quickly on contact with air. If you plan to freeze an unopened package of pumpkin seeds, you can put it in the freezer as is.
On the other hand, if you opened the package or harvested pumpkin seeds yourself, you should put them in a freezer bag. It’s crucial to push out as much air as possible when closing the bag, as the moisture in the air can spoil your seeds. Once frozen, your pumpkin seeds will keep for about 1 year in the freezer, which is already a long time!
