Topic: Freezing new potatoes

[Curryandchips]

Simple question really, can you? And if so, is there a best method?

[MikeB]

Hi Curry,

From my freezer book, not tried it myself, so a bit unkown

Boiled: Slightly undercook with a little mint, toss in butter, cool and pack in polythene bags or freezer/cooking bags.
Recommended freezer life 3 months

To use; thaw and re-heat in the melted butter, or put freezer/cooking bag in boiling water. Remove from heat and leave for 10 minutes.

[Curryandchips]

I think a little experimenting might be useful here. My main motivation is to be able to have a taste of the early summer during those cold winter days ... I guess I am not alone there :)

[fbgrifter]

i froze mine using this method:

http://gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/freezing.htm

[tim]

That's a good one, fb.

I've just frozen raw & they've been quite acceptable.

And NO mint to spoil their flavour!!

[Curryandchips]

Yes I will also abstain on the mint, it can be added later (from herbed ice cubes courtesy Emma and jennym) if desired. However, I am partial to a sprinkling of coriander ...

[supersprout]

My main motivation is to be able to have a taste of the early summer during those cold winter days

I will be trying to grow a few earlies in the greenhouse under fleece for those mythical 'new potatoes at Christmas' :)

[Mrs Ava]

I guess you could freeze mash okay, altho it isn't of course those lovely new pots.....

I am definately going to give it a try with a bag blanched, and a bag raw, just to see. 

I also have a few pots put to one side for bucket planting in the next couple of weeks ready for winter harvest SS.  Did it last year and got a few tiddlers but neglected them somewhat.  Plan to be the doting parent this year!  ;D

[Curryandchips]

My efforts at growing 'Christmas' pots were a total failure, hence my alternative approach, ie freezing.

[littlegem]

DON'T FREEZE NEW POTS!

I used to do sunday dinners for a local pub and froze the unused veg for next week, the first time i froze new pots, when defrosted and microwaved, they became like water bombs! i squeezed one and water shot out like a supersoaker! i tried freezing them again and the same happened, not done it since!

[tim]

But useful at a political rally??

[Curryandchips]

Or just messing around in this heat?

And the debris is biodegradable !!!

[Trixiebelle]

Silly question here ref: freezing new potatoes!

Tim: I'm VERY tempted by your idea of just chucking them into the freezer raw  ;D But how do you cook them when they come out? Do you have to defrost them first or just boil 'em up?

Same question applies to blanched new potatoes. Defrost or chuck in the pan?

And mashed potatoes: How do you reheat them - from frozen or defrost and stick on oven? Don't have a microwave you see. I've managed to explode about 4 in my lifetime  ::) I'm a lot safer with gas.

[tim]

From frozen.

Certainly can't guarantee 'like new' results - variety, stage of development, conditions etc - but  they have never been watery.

If they burst, so have everyone else's this year!

[Trixiebelle]

Thanks Tim  :)

[tim]

Do report back - if you remember!

[Trixiebelle]

I'm not likely to forget! Just filled half the freezer with potatoes  ;)

[tim]

I'll be out at the time!!