Can you freeze jalapenos?
It's getting colder outside and I have a lot of jalapenos in my garden. I like eating them fresh (not cooked) on homemade tacos and omelets, etc.
If I freeze them and thaw them out later in the winter, will they still be as spicy and crunchy, or does the freezing and thawing take some flavor away from them?
Best Answer
I have a whole freezer full of jalapenos - so yes, you definitely can.
They definitely retain their heat just fine.
They keep their texture better if you do 2 things:
Use a vacuum sealer and take out all the air - to reduce freezer burn. Because of this, I recommend you freeze them in batches.
Blanche them for 2-3 minutes in boiling water and then drop them in freezing water. From what I've read, this destroys a particular enzyme that helps not break the pepper down further. I've done this and not done this - and doing it definitely helps on the texture.
They should be good for a little over a year in a vacuum sealed bag - as far as the texture goes. They should never go bad otherwise.
Cos and Sobachatina - bring up another good point: freezing fast and effectively. You can try AB's method that Cos points out, but I do what Sobachatina does. Freeze on a single layer on a tray in the freezer. They freeze quicker and better than dumping them in a bag.
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How do you freeze fresh jalapenos?
Slice the top off the top stem. Use the handle of a spoon to scoop our membranes and seeds. Slice the jalapenos in rounds, slice in halves, or dice the jalapenos as desired. Lay the jalapenos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer until completely frozen, I like to wait 2 or so hours.Do jalapenos freeze well?
Yes! As mentioned before, most spicy peppers can be frozen whole, just like jalapenos. However, if you plan to freeze larger peppers (like bell peppers or poblanos) you may want to slice before freezing to save room.Do jalapenos get hotter after being frozen?
Freezing jalapenos won't make them hotter. Their enzymes become inactive in the frozen environment; that's why there's no loss of flavor, color, and nutrients. If stored properly, they will be able to retain their heat and spice for up to 12 months.Can you freeze jalapeno peppers without blanching?
Peppers are one of the vegetables you can quickly freeze raw without blanching first. Thawed peppers retain some crispness and can be used in cooked dishes such as casseroles or eaten raw.HOW TO FREEZE JALAPEÑO PEPPERS FOR BEGINNERS
More answers regarding can you freeze jalapenos?
Answer 2
A tip from a friend of mine works great if you only want to use your jalapenos for cooking!! Chop them up and push them into an ice cube tray. Top up with a tiny bit of cold water and then freeze. Once frozen take them out of the tray and put into plastic bag. To use just take as many cubes as you think you need and just throw them into whatever you are cooking
Answer 3
If you don't have a vacuum sealer I use a drinking straw and suck out most of the air from a freezer baggie before sealing.
Answer 4
Yes you can, you just have to take out all the air out by using a vacuum sealer to reduce freezer burn. In this way you can freeze them for a long time and you should freeze them in batches.
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