| How to Organize a Kitchen Posted: 19 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST A disorganized kitchen can be a big headache! Being able to quickly and easily find the items you need can save you time and unnecessary stress. Before you start organizing your kitchen, sort your belongings according to use. Next, arrange your countertops and organize your cabinets and drawers. Finally, you can create extra storage space if you need it. EditSorting Your Belongings - Purge any items that you don't need. Cluttered cabinets make it hard to find what you need. Don't keep items that are only taking up space. When deciding if you need something, consider the last time you used it if it's in good repair, and how many of that item you own. If you don't know how to use the item, let it go.[1]
- Pass your unused items along to a friend or donate them to a local charity. If you have a lot of items you don't want or need, consider having a garage sale.
- You may have items like holiday dishes that you don't use often but still want to keep. If you don't have enough cabinet space to keep them in the kitchen, it's a good idea to store them elsewhere.[2]
- Clean your kitchen from top to bottom. Dust the outside of your cabinets, appliances, and any decorative items. Use a soapy rag and clean, dry cloth to wash and dry the insides and outsides of your cabinet, as well as your countertops. Sweep and mop your kitchen floor. Wash and dry any rugs or other cloth items that you keep in the kitchen.
- You want to start with a clean slate! Since you're removing everything from your kitchen cabinets and drawers, this is the best time to clean them. Additionally, you don't want to put your dishes and appliances on top of a layer of dust or grime!
- Create activity zones based on how you use your kitchen. Knowing how you'll use your kitchen makes it easier to decide where to keep your items. Here are some zones you might incorporate:[3]
- Coffee or Tea Spot: Place your coffee pot or tea pot in an easy-to-reach location. Store your mugs and coffee or tea nearby.
- Food Prep Station: Provide space to prepare your dishes. Place your cutting board, knives, measuring cups, and related items near this space.
- Cooking Station: You'll likely center this area around your stove. Keep your cooking utensils nearby, as well as your oven mitt.
- Serving Station: If you have space, you might include a spot for serving your food. Choose an empty countertop, and keep your serving spoons nearby.
- Choose easy-to-reach places for your most frequently used items. These items should be easy to take out, use, wash, and replace. Keep them at eye or waist-level near your dishwasher, sink, or stove. Don't stack items like pots and pans if that means you have to dig to find what you want.[4]
- For example, you might put the dishes you use daily in an eye-level cabinet close to the stove.
- Group similar items together. For instance, your categories might include mugs, pots, dinnerware, and storage containers. Storing these items in the same spot will make it easier for you to find and grab what you need.[5]
- After you have your items sorted into similar groups, check that you don't have too many of one item. If you have more than you need, it's a good idea to let some go.
EditArranging Your Countertops - Keep rarely used items off your countertops. Place items you don't use often inside your cabinets or store them outside your kitchen if you're short on space. Only store items you frequently use on the countertop. This makes it easier for you to work in your kitchen every day.[6]
- For example, you might keep your microwave on the counter if you use it daily, but put away your toaster if you only use it once a week.
- If you're short on cabinet space, place any decorative items you'd like to display in your kitchen in an out-of-the-way location, such as on top of your cabinets. Don't clutter your cabinets with decorations.
- Place commonly used appliances and kitchenware on the counter. Designate which areas need to remain empty, such as your food prep area. Then, find a spot for items you use daily, such as your microwave, coffee pot, dish rack, and cutting board.[7]
- Make sure you know where your power sockets are before you decide where to place your items. You'll need to put your appliances in a place where they can be plugged in.
- Keep your most used kitchen utensils in a jar near the stove. This includes items like your stirring spoon, spatula, spaghetti server, and slotted spoon. Only place items you use often in your utensil jar. Store items you rarely use but want to keep in a utensil drawer.[8]
- A large jar or canister works great for storing your utensils. As another option, you can use a clean vase.
- Install a magnetic strip to hang your knives. Keep only the knives you actually use, such as your chopping and paring knives. Let go of your extra knives and knife block, which can take up too much space on your countertop.[9]
- If you have knives you use occasionally, store them in a drawer.
- Donate your unused knives and knife block.
- Put a small shelf by your sink for your hand soap and sponges. A tray gives you more space around your sink. Place your soap, dish sponge, and towel on the tray. Then, place your sink stopper and bottle scrubber below the shelf.[10]
- You can find an over the sink shelf for your kitchen. Alternatively, get creative and use a cake stand as a shelf!
- Keep items like cooking oil and honey on a dish or tray. It's normal for your oil or honey to drip, making your bottle sticky. This can gum up your cabinet or countertop and make your other items sticky! Place your oil on a small dish or tray that you can wash often.[11]
- Place fruit and vegetables in a basket or bowl on the counter. It's common to store un-refrigerated produce on your countertop. Keep your produce together by placing it in a stylish bowl or basket. Then, set it on the counter where you can easily access it.[12]
- Put your fruit where you can easily grab them for a snack. If space is an issue, you might place your vegetables farther back on the counter until you need them to prepare your meals.
EditOrganizing Cabinets and Drawers - Designate each cabinet and drawer for a specific item or items. Then, arrange your items in the cabinets and drawers. Place the items you use often near the front of your cabinets to make them easy to reach. This makes it easier to store similar items together so you can quickly find what you want.[13]
- For example, you might designate a large cabinet for your dishware, a small cabinet for mugs, a bottom cabinet for pots and pans, etc.
- You might have one drawer for towels and pot holders, one drawer for utensils, and one drawer for extra cooking tools.
- Keep your cleaning supplies under your sink. It's easy to forget about the cabinet under your sink, but it's the perfect place to store your kitchen cleaners. Keep your cleaning wipes, sprays, soaps, and sponges under the sink.[14]
- If you need more storage space, install a shelf or decorative baskets under your sink.
- Use trays with compartments to organize the contents of your drawers. Choose a tray that is the same size of your drawer or smaller. You can place your items in the tray and in the space around it, depending on what you're keeping in the drawer. This lets you organize your utensils, measuring cups, chip clips, and other items.[15]
- You can use a tray with multiple compartments or several small trays with just one compartment. Choose the solution that works best for you.
- Arrange items on small, easy to remove trays to keep cabinets straight. Trays are a great solution to easily access the back of your cabinets without digging. Choose smaller trays so they are easy to remove and replace as you need items.[16]
- For instance, you might use trays in your top cabinets so that the items you've stored in the back of your cabinets are still accessible.
- Put pantry items in clear bins to make them easy to find. Empty your foods into food storage containers to cut down on clutter and keep the pantry organized. Pour foods like cereals, grains, and baking supplies into stackable containers. Then, arrange them neatly in your pantry.[17]
- Group your foods into categories. For example, stack your cereals together, your pasta noodles together, and your baking supplies together.
- Use a file sorter or magazine holder for items like lids or baking sheets. Put the file sorter or magazine holder inside your cabinet, then put your lids or baking sheets into it. This allows you to store the items upright, keeping your cabinets uncluttered and your items within easy reach.[18]
- Choose a sturdy metal file sorter so it'll stay upright.
- Both plastic and metal magazine holders will work well for your kitchen storage.
- Place items on a lazy susan to avoid digging for the thing you need. A lazy susan spins, allowing you to have easy access to all of the items it contains. They come in several different sizes. You can put a lazy susan in your cabinet or pantry to store spices, canned goods, or other items.[19]
- A small lazy susan works great for spices, while a larger lazy susan might be a great option for canned goods.
- Keep your junk drawer clean with small, lidded containers. If you have a junk drawer, maximize its use by keeping your items sorted into smaller containers. Label the containers so you know what's inside them.[20]
- Go through your drawer regularly and get rid of the items you aren't using.
EditFilling Your Refrigerator - Place ready to eat foods and drinks on your top shelf. This includes pre-packaged foods, eggs, and leftovers. The top shelf is easiest to access. Plus, storing these items at the top of the refrigerator helps prevent contamination because no foods are placed above them.[21]
- Store drinks that are too tall for the top shelf on the middle shelf of your refrigerator. Avoid storing them on the door, where it's warmer.
- Keep your raw meats on the lower shelf of your refrigerator. This prevents them from leaking onto your other ingredients and contaminating them. However, check over your meats to make sure they aren't leaking before you store them, as they can spread bacteria. If you find a leak, repackage your meat and clean up the spill using an antibacterial cleaner.[22]
- Protect your crisper by placing your meats in a plastic container that fits on your lower shelf. If the meat leaks, it'll leak into the container, not onto your produce.
- Put raw produce on the middle shelf or in the crisper. Keeping your produce on the middle shelf makes it easier to pull it out when you're ready to cook. Plus, this keeps it above the meat in your refrigerator. However, your crisper can control humidity and provide the best environment for your fruits and vegetables, so you might prefer to keep them there.
- If you use the crisper, make sure you don't overfill the drawers, which makes it harder to find what you need.
- Keep your condiments on the door of your refrigerator. The door is the warmest part of your refrigerator, so the only safe thing to store there is your condiments. Group them according to type so it's easy to find what you need.[23]
- For example, put jams and jellies together, group marinades together, and put all of your sandwich dressings in one spot.
- Put your cheese and lunch meats in the cheese drawer. Most refrigerators have a small drawer below the top shelf where you traditionally store cheese. If you buy sandwich meats, you can also place those in the cheese drawer. This keeps your cheeses safe and easy to find.[24]
- Use the space on top of your cabinets or refrigerator. Don't let your vertical space go unused. Store or display items you don't use often. Here are some ways to maximize the space you have available:[25]
- Store your rarely used items, such as holiday dishes, in decorative baskets.
- Arrange your favorite cookbooks for a stylish storage solution.
- Keep your wine rack on top of your cabinets.
- Put your decorative items in out of the reach locations.
- If you have a lot of space above your cabinets, install a shelf to allow for extra storage.
- Store items on a rolling cart if you're short on cabinet space. Opt for a stylish cart that fits your kitchen decor. Rolling carts give you more space for pantry items, cookbooks, and cooking supplies. You can also use a cart to conveniently store your coffee and tea supplies, if you're a daily drinker.[26]
- You can find a cart at your local department store, home goods store, or online.
- Use an open bookshelf for easy access. A bookshelf can hold extra dishes, extra appliances, pantry items, cookbooks, and decorative items. Place your bookshelf against a wall in your kitchen or along the side of your refrigerator if space is limited. Arrange your items so that they're visually appealing.[27]
- A bookshelf is a great way to create functional decor!
- Install shelves in your cabinets. Shelves are a great way to add more useable space to your cabinets. Stacking items can make it hard to get to what you need, but adding an extra shelf lets you create small stacks that are easy to access.[28]
- For an inexpensive option, use collapsible plastic shelves. You can find these at a department store, home store, or online.
- Put hanging hooks on walls or inside of cabinet doors. Place your wall hooks on the wall behind your stove or above your sink. Install hooks on the insides of cabinets to hold small items or items you use often. Hooks can hold pots and pans, decorations, measuring cups, towels, etc.[29]
- You can use Command hooks for an easy option that won't damage your wall or cabinet doors.
- If you're going to be hanging a heavy item, like a pot, you might install a sturdier hook.
- Hang an over-the-door shoe organizer on your pantry door. Use a shoe organizer on the inside of your pantry door to organize food or other kitchen supplies. The small pockets on the organizer are great for keeping track of a lot of small items. You can also add labels to the pouches if you like.[30]
- This can be a great solution for people who have kids. You might place your child-friendly snacks in the shoe organizer so your child can easily grab them.
- Get a mobile kitchen island for storage and counter space. A mobile kitchen island has wheels so it can be easily moved around the kitchen to suit your needs. Not only will it give you extra counter space on top, but you'll also have space to store the items in drawers, cabinets, or open space on the lower portion of the island.[31]
- Mobile kitchen islands come in different sizes and can range in price from affordable to expensive. They're available at many department stores, as well as home improvement stores. You can also find them online.
- Install drawers in your bottom cabinets to maximize the space. You can find drawers designed for installation inside cabinets. Drawers will allow you to access the back of your cabinets with ease. Instead of digging in your cabinets, you can pull out the drawer and grab what you need.[32]
- If you aren't handy around the house, you might hire a contractor or handyman to install your drawers.
- It's a good idea to experiment with different arrangements until you find one you like. Notice what works and what doesn't for your life.
- If you keep a "junk drawer," clean it out frequently to make sure you aren't holding onto clutter you don't need.
- If you choose to put spices near the stove, choose a spot where they will stay cool and dry. Heat and moisture will spoil the flavor, and you will have to replace them much more often.
- When you buy items to create a specific recipe, it's best to group them together to make it easier to cook.
- Organize your items according to how you actually live, not how you think you "should" live.
- If you have children, don't forget to install or adjust child-proofing, especially on lower cabinets. Be especially sure that knives, liquor, and cleaning fluids are stored safely.
- Before you buy organizational shelves and containers, go through your items to make sure you really want to keep all of them. Purchasing items you don't really need will only add to the clutter.
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| How to Lower High Blood Pressure Without Using Medication Posted: 19 Dec 2018 08:00 AM PST High blood pressure is a common medical condition. Depending on the level of your blood pressure, you may need to take medication to get it under control. Once high blood pressure (HBP) is under control with medication, you can try using lifestyle techniques to lower your blood pressure and reduce your need for the medication. Using techniques like changes to your diet and lifestyle in combination with medication will help you manage your condition and stay healthy. EditReducing Your Salt Intake - Don't add excess salt to your foods. Avoid adding more than a pinch of salt to your food when you cook it and don't add salt once you are getting ready to eat. You need a small amount of salt in your diet, but you will get more than enough through the prepared foods that you eat and the small amounts you add to your food.[1]
- Adding excess salt will only cause you to retain excess fluids, which causes high blood pressure.
- Keep in mind that seas salt and kosher salt have the same amount of sodium as regular table salt.[2]
- Salt makes your body retain fluid, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
- Avoid eating processed foods. Processed foods are typically loaded with salt and other additives, such as the preservative sodium benzoate. Remember, it's not just the salt that you put on your food while cooking or at the table, it's also the amount of sodium that's in the prepared foods that you buy.[3]
- Sodium causes your body to retain water, which can increase your blood pressure. It is usually listed on the nutritional breakdown on the label of prepared foods.[4]
- Read labels and buy low-salt, low-sodium, or unsalted foods.
- Foods that commonly have a ton of salt in them are prepared, canned, and bottled foods. These include meats, pickles, olives, soups, chili, bacon, ham, sausage, bakery products, and meats with added water, which will have a higher sodium content. Also, avoid prepared condiments, such as prepared mustard, salsa, chile sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce and other sauces.
- Track your sodium levels. Many American diets include up to 5000 milligrams (5g) of sodium daily, which nearly all medical professionals consider extremely unhealthy. While you usually can't, and don't want to, cut out all sodium, it's important to try to get to below 2 g (2000 mg) per day. To do this, track your total daily intake of salt/sodium, and make sure you are avoiding as much sodium as you can.[5]
- To track how much sodium you have eaten it's a good idea to keep a food journal or use a tracking app. There are a variety of fitness and health apps that will allow you to track your sodium intake throughout the day.
- A low-sodium diet usually consists of eating between 0 mg and 1400 mg of salt a day. A moderate sodium diet will have between 1400 mg and 4000 mg a day. A high-sodium diet is anything over 4000 mg per day.
- Keep in mind that sea salt and kosher salt contain the same amount of sodium as table salt.[6] Salt substitutes contain potassium chloride, which is not safe for some people, so you may want to avoid it. Instead, look into sodium-free alternatives to replace salt in your diet, such as lemon juice, flavored vinegar, fresh herbs, and salt-free herb and spice blends.[7]
- Note that the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of sodium is about 2500 mg.
EditChanging Your Diet - Eat a moderate, lean diet. When trying to lower your blood pressure, it's important to focus on moderation and eating a balanced diet. Try eating a plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and few meats, milk products, and eggs.[8]
- Try to have at least 1 meal each day that doesn't include meat and mainly consists of fruits and vegetables. For example, you could have a salad for lunch that consists of several cups of leafy greens and is covered in a variety raw vegetables and seeds, such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, and sunflower seeds.[9]
- When you do eat meat and fish, make sure it is a lean type, such as chicken or salmon without the skin. When you eat or drink dairy products, make sure you are picking low-fat options.
- Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. This means you should avoid candy bars, processed carbs, and red meats. These foods may be delicious but they provide little nutritional value, and you can get what value they have from healthier choices.[10]
- Instead of eating red meat, eat healthier meats like chicken or fish.
- If you have a craving for sugar, eat a piece of fruit instead of a piece of candy.
- Increase your fiber intake. Fiber won't lower your blood pressure on its own, but it helps to regulate your digestion and keep you healthy in general. Most vegetables are high in fiber, especially those with leafy greens. Many fruits, nuts, and legumes (beans and peas) are also rich in fiber, as are whole-grain products.
- Some of the best foods you can eat to increase your fiber include pears, strawberries, avocados, apples, carrots, beets, broccoli, lentils, and kidney beans.[11]
- It is recommended that you eat 8 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruits each day, so vary the foods you eat when adding fiber to your diet.[12]
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), and restoring some balance here may naturally reduce your blood pressure. Consume fish twice a week or more, as they will provide you with omega-3 fatty acids, lower fats called triglycerides, and promote overall heart health.[13]
- Fish is high in protein, and many types of fish, including salmon, mackerel, and herring, also have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids are highest in the oils of the fish, so if you eat canned fish, don't discard the oil. Eat it along with the fish!
- It is recommended that you eat only one or two servings of lean meat, including fish, each day.[14]
- You can also take fish oil tablets regularly to get more omega-3 fatty acids. However, do research on the fish oil tablet product you take. There are some concerns about raised levels of mercury from certain processed fish products.
- Increase your intake of dietary potassium. Too much potassium can be harmful, but some is necessary. Aim for 3500 and 4700 mg of potassium a day. You may need more potassium if you are active, and less if you are elderly or sick. Some foods that are naturally high in potassium include:[15]
- Bananas
- Tomatoes/tomato juice
- Potatoes
- Beans
- Onions
- Oranges
- Fresh and dried fruits
- Talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your diet. Check with your doctor to see whether a natural remedy may help lower your blood pressure. Many natural remedies have scientific evidence to show that they can lower high blood pressure, but you should never attempt to replace your blood pressure medication without talking with your doctor.[16]
- The top supplements may assist in lowering blood pressure are coenzyme Q10, omega-3, fish oil, garlic, curcumin (from turmeric), ginger, cayenne, olive oil, nuts, black cohosh, hawthorn, magnesium and chromium. Ask your doctor if these are safe for you to take.
- Vitamins like B12, B6 and B9 can help lower homocysteine levels in the blood. High homocysteine levels can lead to heart problems.[17]
EditMinimizing Stimulation - Stop smoking. Stimulants in cigarette smoke, like nicotine, can increase blood pressure. If you stop smoking, you may be able to lower your blood pressure, help your heart to become healthier, and reduce your chances of getting other diseases, including lung cancer.[18]
- If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about how they can help you. They may be able to prescribe you medication that will help you quit and steer you towards programs that will help as well.
- Use less caffeine. Stopping drinking coffee, soda pop, and other caffeinated beverages will lower your blood pressure. Even 1 or 2 cups of coffee can raise blood pressure to an unhealthy level, so it's best to cut it out completely.[19]
- If a person already has hypertension, caffeine complicates the problem further because it is a nervous system stimulant. Thus, agitated nerves cause the heart to beat faster, which raises the blood pressure.
- If you are a person who drinks a lot of caffeine (more than 4 caffeinated drinks a day), you may need to taper yourself off caffeine to prevent withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches.
- Lose weight. Carrying around extra weight causes your heart to work harder all the time and this increases your blood pressure. By losing this extra weight, through changes to your diet and exercising more often, your heart won't have to beat as hard and you'll lower your blood pressure.[20]
- Avoid recreational use of drugs and alcohol. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol can damage many organs in the body, including the liver and the kidneys. This may contribute to high blood pressure.[21]
- Many drugs are stimulants. These cause the heart to beat faster and the blood pressure to go up. By cutting out drugs and alcohol, you'll succeed in reducing your blood pressure.
- Monitor your blood pressure and talk with your doctor. A medical professional can check your blood pressure by using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope, or you can check it yourself using an automatic blood pressure monitoring device. If you have concerns about your blood pressure, talk to your doctor to determine what treatment options may work best for you. Blood pressure is usually divided into categories, which include:[22]
- Normal blood pressure: below 120/80
- Pre-hypertension blood pressure: 120-139/80-89
- First stage hypertension: 140-159/90-99
- Second stage hypertension: 160/100 and above
EditFocusing on Relaxation - Reduce chronic stress. Minimize daily stressors, if possible, such as being involved with high stakes business dealings. If you are under chronic stress where you produce that stress hormone every day, then your cardiovascular system will naturally go into a state where it is overworking.[23]
- This overworking happens because the stress hormone increases your pulse, respiration, and heart rate. Your body thinks you need to either fight or run and is naturally getting your body ready do one of those things.
- Many people have a temporary rise in blood pressure when under stress. If you have high blood pressure because you are overweight or have a family history of hypertension, then stress raises it that much more. This is because your adrenal gland releases stress hormones which tend to cause your cardiovascular system to overwork.
- Take a relaxing bath or shower to reduce your blood pressure. Taking a soaking hot bath or hot shower for 15 minutes can actually suppress your blood pressure for several hours. Taking a hot bath just prior to bedtime can help the body retain lower blood pressure for hours or even the entire night.
- Meditate to calm yourself and reduce your blood pressure. Take time every day to calm yourself, as this can reduce your overall stress. Simply observing and slowing the respiration rate produces a significant reduction in blood pressure.
- Take a walk or do some other type of exercise every day. Walk every day for at least 20 to 30 minutes at a moderate speed of about . Study after study has demonstrated that the mere act of walking has a suppression effect on hypertension.[25]
- Can't walk outside? Use a treadmill inside. The advantage is that you can walk even as it rains or snows outside. You can even walk in your pajamas without the neighbors seeing you!
- Taking a long walk will take the edge off a stressful day long before bedtime. Make time for decompressing each and every day.
- If your blood pressure stays at or above 140 mmHg over 90 mmHg (140/90) while watching your pressure and using these tips, you should see your doctor.[26]
- The consequences of untreated or unchecked hypertension include increased risks of heart muscle thickening and hardening, diabetes, nerve damage, kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
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| How to Freeze Fresh Squash Posted: 19 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST If you have too much fresh squash to use and want to save some for later, why not freeze it? Winter and summer squash can both be blanched and frozen. Blanching protects the flavor, color, and even the nourishing vitamins of the squash. Winter squash can also be frozen raw and saved for baked goods or soup. So, whatever season you're in, you can have a surplus of seasonal squash stored away! EditFreezing Raw Winter Squash - Peel the squash using a vegetable peeler or knife. Set the squash on a cutting board and cut the rounded ends off of each side. Then, holding the squash in one hand, use a vegetable peeler in your dominant hand to peel strips of squash off away from you. If you're using a knife, hold the squash upright on your cutting board and slice downwards, removing the squash's skin.[1]
- Once you've finished one section with the vegetable peeler, rotate the squash in your non-dominant hand to peel another side.
- With a knife, slice just beneath the skin on one side of the squash. Then, slice all the way down the length of the squash until this strip is completely removed. Continue slicing off other strips of skin in this manner until you make it all the way around the squash.
- Cut the squash into cubes. Use a serrated kitchen knife to cut the squash into evenly-sized pieces. You can technically cut the pieces into any size, but cubes are good for freezer bags if you don't have a specific size in mind.[2]
- Use a cutting board whenever chopping vegetables.
- Freeze the squash on a baking sheet for 2 hours. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Spread the pieces of squash onto the baking sheet in a single layer, without overlapping. Place this baking sheet in the freezer and allow the squash to freeze solid for around 2 hours.[3]
- Freezing the pieces this way makes it less likely that the squash will stick together in long-term frozen storage.
- Transfer the squash to a freezer-safe container. Take the individually frozen pieces of squash and place them into a freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag. Leave of empty space on the top before sealing the container.[4]
- Tupperware and plastic bags both make good storage solutions.
- If using a plastic bag, push as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing it.
- Freeze the uncooked squash for up to 12 months. Place the containers of squash in the freezer and store them there until you are ready to use the vegetable in a dish. Label the bag or container so you know when you put it in the freezer for storage.[5]
- Defrost the squash or add it directly to certain soups and chilis. When you're ready to use the squash, you can add the chunks directly to warm stews or you can thaw them for use in other recipes. To thaw the frozen squash, move the bag of squash from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight, or set it out on the counter for 3-4 hours.[6]
- You can also roast butternut squash directly from the freezer without thawing it.
EditCooking and Freezing Winter Squash - Preheat the oven to . You will be using the oven to roast the squash before freezing them. Set the oven to Bake and turn it up to . If you prefer, it is also possible to cook the squash in the microwave, in which case you do not need to worry about preheating the oven.
- Cut the squash in half using a sharp, serrated knife. Set the squash on a cutting board, and hold it steady with one hand. Using the knife, cut the squash into halves lengthwise. Set the squash halves down on the cutting board, with the flesh-side facing up.[7]
- For bigger squash like butternut squash, move slowly and carefully with the knife. Squash roll, and you don't want the knife to slip. If the squash is smaller, like an acorn squash, it will be easier to hold it steady.
- Scoop out the stringy insides of the squash. Using a spoon or your hands, scoop away and discard any pulp or seeds on the inside of the squash. If you have a melon baller, this is a great tool to easily scoop and discard seeds.[8] A serrated grapefruit spoon will also help get the job done.[9]
- Compost or trash the inner bits of the squash.
- Spoons don't cut as well through the strings of a squash as a melon baller, due to their dull edges.
- Place the squash, flesh-side up, on a baking sheet. If you want to add some flavor, season the squash with salt and pepper. You can also add about 1 tbsp (15 mL) of butter or honey and 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of brown sugar to the squash at this point.[10]
- If you plan to roast the squash straight out of the freezer, adding butter and brown sugar at this stage is a good idea. Otherwise, the squash will preserve better without additives, and you can just bake it as it is.
- Bake the squash for 25 minutes or until it is tender. Place the baking sheet in the previously preheated oven () and let them bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, take the baking tray out, and use a fork to check if the flesh is soft (you should be able to pierce the flesh with the fork).[11]
- To microwave the squash, place the squash pieces on a piece of microwave-safe plastic wrap on top of a microwavable plate. Cook them for 15 minutes on high, checking the squash at every 5 minute interval. Continue cooking until the flesh is soft enough to scoop it out of the skin with a spoon.[12]
- Scoop out the flesh of the squash with a spoon. Once the squash has cooled down sufficiently, use a metal spoon to dig out the softened insides of the squash away from its skin. Transfer the fleshy parts into a separate bowl and discard the hollowed out skin once you're done.[13]
- You can also use a serrated spoon for a bit of extra help digging out the flesh.
- Puree the cooked squash. A puree of winter squash will hold up well in the freezer for many months. Use a blender or a food processor to puree the winter squash until all of the lumps are gone. Cooking will have softened the squash to make this step rather easy.[14]
- Alternatively, you can mash the squash with a mashing tool or even a run of the mill metal fork to achieve a similar effect.
- Portion and freeze small amounts of the pureed squash. Wait for the squash to cool, then portion out balls of the puree, placing them on a parchment-covered baking sheet or in an ice cube tray or muffin tin. Pop the tray or tin in the freezer and let the pureed squash freeze for at least four hours, or until frozen solid.[15]
- Pureed squash will freeze best if it's frozen in small portions, but if you're in a rush, you can skip this step and transfer the puree to long-term storage immediately.
- Transfer the pureed squash to the freezer for up to 3 months. Once the smaller portions are frozen solid, spoon them into freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags. Place the containers of squash in your freezer and save until they're ready to use.[16]
- If you're using plastic bags, remove as much air as possible from the bags before you seal them.
- Defrost the puree for baking or cooking. Place the puree in the refrigerator overnight to thaw it, or set it out on the counter for 3-4 hours to defrost it. You can then microwave the puree or heat it on the stovetop to add it to warm dishes. You can also add it directly to soups and chilis.[17]
- Winter squash puree is a great candidate for adding to sauces, soups, dips, lasagnas, enchiladas, and baked breads or muffins.
EditBlanching and Freezing Summer Squash - Cut the squash into rounds thick. Use a sharp, heavy kitchen knife to slice off both ends of the squash, then slice your summer squash into the thin rounds. Move lengthwise down the squash, slicing every .[18]
- If you are freezing zucchini to make zucchini bread in the future, you should grate it instead. Use a box grater to grate the zucchini into a bowl.
- There is no need to peel the squash first in this method, as you are going to blanch it.
- Boil of water per of summer squash. Use a large stockpot over high heat. Place a wire basket or metal steamer into the stockpot. The wire basket should dip down into the water so that the squash will be completely immersed in the boiling water.[19]
- You are not steaming the squash in this method. Instead, you are using the wire basket as a way to easily fish the squash out of the water when ready.
- Put the squash into a wire basket and blanch them for 3 to 4 minutes. Place no more than 1 lb (450 g) of squash in the boiling water at a time. Cook for roughly 3 minutes. After the pieces of squash are done, remove the squash from the stockpot using the wire basket.[20]
- You can poke the squash with a fork after 3 minutes to check for tenderness. If the squash feel tender, they are ready.[21]
- If you are working with grated zucchini, blanch the grated pieces in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes each, until they feel tender.[22]
- Dunk the squash in cold water or a bowl of ice for another 3 minutes. If you're using a bowl of ice, make sure you have about of ice to of vegetables. If you're using liquid water, run cold tap water continuously over the squash or change it frequently so it stays cold. Ideally, the water should be or below.[23]
- Dunking the squash in ice water after you have blanched it will stop the cooking process, thereby preventing the enzymes from breaking down any further. As a result, you are left with squash that retains its color, flavor, and most of its texture.
- Drain the squash to remove any excess water. Pour the ice bucket filled with squash through a colander (or any kind of strainer) to remove excess water from the squash. This will prepare the squash for freezing. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel after draining.[24]
- You can sandwich the squash between two paper towels for about 10 minutes to make sure they have dried completely.
- Freeze the blanched squash in a plastic bag for up to 6 months. Fill freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags with the squash. If using plastic bags, you can try to push as much air as possible out of the bag before sealing. Place the containers of squash in the freezer. Keep them there until you are ready to use them.[25]
- Blanched summer squash will usually stay good in a freezer for up to 6 months.
- Defrost the squash and use it for cooking or baking. Place the summer squash in the fridge overnight to thaw it out, or place it on the counter for 3-4 hours to defrost it. Then, use your frozen summer squash in pasta sauces, soups, casseroles, or as a side dish.[26]
- Grated zucchini will work very well in risotto, soup, muffin batter, or cake batter.[27]
- As a totally stand alone dish, grated squash can be sautéed in brown butter with garlic and sage.[28]
EditThings You'll Need EditFreezing Winter Squash Raw - Vegetable peeler or smooth knife
- Serrated kitchen knife
- Baking tray
- Freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag
EditCooking and Freezing Winter Squash - Serrated kitchen knife
- Food processor or blender
- Freezer-safe plastic containers or plastic bags
EditCooking and Freezing Summer Squash - Serrated kitchen knife
- Large stockpot
- Wire basket or colander
- Large bowl of ice water
- Baking sheet
- Freezer-safe plastic container or plastic bag
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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