Freezing Fresh Potatoes

Have you ever had a lot of potatoes and wondered how to freeze them?  Well look no further because I have just the tips for you to do it successfully at home. This is especially wonderful when potatoes are in season in your area … nothing better than fresh from the farm or market goodness!  It does take a little work, but so worth the effort and costs just pennies to do!  I received 11 large baking potatoes free (again it pays to know your farmer) and made mine into diced potatoes and French fries.

*Note – Baking potatoes (such as Russet), including Yukon Gold, freeze better than red potatoes.  I kept all the cut potatoes in a large bowl filled with ice-water until ready to cook.  Place water in large stock pot adding 1-2 tsp. sea salt and bring to a full, rolling boil before adding the potatoes.

Freezing Diced Potatoes:
Diced potatoes can be frozen for use in a variety of recipes. Here’s how:

• Peel two pounds of potatoes. (or whatever amount you want to work with.) Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
• Simmer the diced potatoes in salted water until just tender.
• Spray a sheet pan with non-stick cooking oil and spread cooked potatoes in a single layer on the pan.
• Place the pan of diced potatoes in the freezer until frozen solidly.
• Transfer the frozen potato cubes to freezer bags or containers to use as needed.

 

Freezing potatoes for hash browns and other shredded potato recipes:

• Shred or grate 2 pounds of potatoes (or any amount you want to work with).
• Place grated/shredded potatoes in a bowl of iced water until all potatoes are shredded.
• Drain the ice water when you are ready to prepare the potatoes for freezing.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.
• Place the shredded potatoes into the boiling water just until they begin to be tender.
• Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Drain the potatoes thoroughly and place on the sheet pan in mounds or patties.
• Leave on the sheet pan until solidly frozen, then store in freezer bags or containers.

Make ready-to-cook frozen French fries:

• Peel and cut the potatoes you want to freeze into “french fry lengths.”
• Boil cut potatoes in salted water until partially cooked.
• Drain and place in a single layer on a sprayed sheet pan.
• Freeze until solid; transfer to freezer bags or containers and put in freezer.

Yield:  11 large baking potates yielded one gallon bag of French fries and two quart bags of diced potatoes.