storage Best way to freeze peppers?

DrUnK · Nov 19, 2014

What is the best way to freeze whole pods? I have had pods that were frozen one time that I got at the store but when they thawed they were soft a mushy... Is there anyways around this?

SavinaRed · Nov 19, 2014

I think every method there is for freezing peppers results in soft/mushy peppers.

KingChile · Nov 19, 2014

the only way around it is to dry them

SavinaRed · Nov 19, 2014

KingChile said:
the only way around it is to dry them

Yes thats what I'm doing with my late harvest this year. I smoked a bunch on Monday and dehydrated them after. I did about a hundred peppers.

DrUnK · Nov 20, 2014

Well poo, thanks anyways guys. So I have some peppers I want my family to try on thanksgiving but its a week away and I fear these peppers wont last that long. Any other ideas?

Streamer · Nov 20, 2014

Vacuum seal em and store in fridge. They'll last a week for sure.

SavinaRed · Nov 20, 2014

Streamer said:
Vacuum seal em and store in fridge. They'll last a week for sure.

ditto

mecdave · Nov 20, 2014

And for longer term storage (other than drying) - Run them through a food processor stemmed and seeded (optional), fill freezer bags to about an inch thick, store flat in freezer, break off chunks of frozen peppers as needed. Takes up much less space, and insta-peppers are super convenient.

winland · Nov 20, 2014

, I like mecdave's solution

jedisushi06 · Nov 20, 2014

vacuum seal them and then freeze. you cna make hot sauce with them later or dehydrate them.

DrUnK · Nov 20, 2014

Alright thanks everyone I will give it a shot on the vacuum fridge method. I'll also cut and freeze what I don't take as well. Thanks again!

cloudhand · Nov 20, 2014

winland said:
, I like mecdave's solution

Indeed! That is a great idea!

winland · Nov 20, 2014

mecdave said:
And for longer term storage (other than drying) - Run them through a food processor stemmed and seeded (optional), fill freezer bags to about an inch thick, store flat in freezer, break off chunks of frozen peppers as needed. Takes up much less space, and insta-peppers are super convenient.

Could you pour this into ice cube trays and freeze and then put the cubes in freezer bags?

mecdave · Nov 20, 2014

winland said:
Could you pour this into ice cube trays and freeze and then put the cubes in freezer bags?

I don't see why not, though I give my peppers a coarser blend. You would probably need to add a bit of liquid (like vinegar) to get them smooth enough to pour.

I just whack the frozen package flat on the counter or cutting board to break them up into chunks.

PS Freezing peppers this way isn't my idea. I found it on a pepper website awhile back. Just can't remember which one.

Streamer · Nov 20, 2014

Just remember once you FREEZE a pepper...the cell structure of the walls collapse. Not worth a damn, IMO, for true fresh texture and taste to the palette, but ok for sauces and such.

SavinaRed · Nov 23, 2014

can a frozen pepper be thawed, smoked then dehydrated ?

if so how do they taste compared to a fresh pepper smoked and dehydrated. thanks !