We start by trying to give a bunch away and eating it like crazy until it's starting to get limp. At that point, we freeze the rest.
So how does one freeze broccoli? It's not quite as simple as just sticking it in the freezer. You have to blanch the broccoli first to keep the enzymes in it from breaking down further. Then you have to let it dry before you stick it in a Ziploc (or a vacuum sealed bag if you have a food saver device). But then, voila, you have frozen broccoli. You can find this pretty easily if you do a Google search.
Here's the process in pictures.
Get some water boiling
Set up your cooling/draining station.
Put a scoop of broccoli in the boiling water and cook for about 1 minute.
Take it out and put it in the ice water to stop the cooking process.
If you stop right there, you will actually have some pretty well cooked broccoli. All you have to do is warm it up with whatever seasoning you like. It's tender but crisp.
Once the broccoli is cool, allow it to dry.
And then bag it and throw it in the freezer.
The only downside is the water you use to cook the broccoli is really nasty. It smells awful. I'm going to brew some up for Halloween to scare the kids.
And there you have it. Broccoli storage 101. That said, my understanding is that broccoli doesn't do well in hot climates so this may be a moot point for most of my readers (unless you want to grow broccoli during the winter, which might work).
We have visitors this weekend, but depending on our plans we may have Operation Dig Up Carrots underway.
