swiss chard

[cotton54321]

We have grown far too much swiss chard this year! Can it be frozen? Anyone had any experience of storing?
Thanks
Mel

[Alice]

Hello Cotton, yes you can freeze your chard. What you have to do is strip the leafy parts from the stalks. Cook the leafy parts as for spinach and pack into boxes or bags and freeze. Cut the stocks into pieces, lay out flat on a tray and place in the freezer until frozen. Then tip into a bag and seal.

Just incase there is anybody out there who doesn't know you can freeze most of your garden vegetables and herbs this way. Just prepare them how you like them. Spread on a tray. put in freezer til frozen. Tip into a box or bag. Comes out free flow. No use for garnishes but excellent for cooking. I use the method for carrots, celery, leeks, parsley, chives, coriander, basil. So always have a selection of vegetables and herbs ready prepared for soups and stews.

[eskymo]

I use this method for blackberries as the first year I decided to freeze some I just put them in a box and shoved that in the freezer - it was very difficult to prize a few away and I ended up having to defrost the lot and use them at once. Last year I cleared a shelf in my small freezer and covered a baking tray with blackberries. I put this in the freezer and they all froze individually so it was possible to gather them up like sweets and pour them into a box. I continued doing batches like this until allmy blackberried were frozen. It makes re-using them so much easier as they're not all stuck together in a mushy clump.

[leona]

well i let some leaves get big for my mum but i hate it cooked so i eat all the new growth small in salads. ive got tons of chard so thats how ikeep on top of it.also if anyone comes rounnd i normally go out there with a bag and a pair of scissors and give them a sack full

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks for the freezing tips Alice - never thought of doing that for veg other than peas and beans.

[cotton54321]

Thanks for all the advice - I'll be going out today!

Mel

[nick the grief]

I used it in the bottom of my bean trench as well