- Wash vegetables at least 2 times to insure they are clean and any trash is picked out of them.
- Using a blanching pot or stockpot, fill about 1/2 – 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil.
- Once water is boiling, place 1/2 of the bushel of peas or butterbeans into the pot. If using a large pot you may place the whole bushel in the pot. Bring the water back to a boil and let the vegetables boil for 3-5 minutes depending on variety.
- While the vegetables are blanching, prepare an ice water bath for vegetables.
- Once the vegetables are finished blanching, remove them from the hot water and pour them into a colander. Place the colander of vegetables down into the ice water that you have prepared. **The vegetables must be cooled completely before they can be bagged and placed in the freezer.
- Once the vegetables are cooled completely, let them drain to remove the water. Then place them into freezer bags or freezer containers. The amount placed into the bags or containers depends on personal preference (1 cup typically will feed 2 people). Place in a deep freezer and they will keep for 18 – 24 months.
This has been provided as a courtesy to our customers from our fresh pea provider, Calhoun Produce.