Freezing peas?

**adalynn** · 08-03-2010, 08:45 PM

Does any one freeze fresh peas? If so, how do you do it? I got a bushel of Zandies, which is a local favorite small pea. So I blanched them for 3 min. let them cool, but not completely, they were still lukearm. Bagged in freezer bags & went to straight to freezer. My mother says you have to let them cool completely or they will spoil? Any one heard of this? What kind of peas do you like to freeze?

**chickmom3** · 08-04-2010, 10:38 PM

My Ball Blue Book of Canning says to blanch 2 minutes and cool. I have also heard of cooling them in ice water quickly. I don't know that I have ever bothered to do that. They cool in the freezer, just not as quickly. I've never had any problems doing it the way you did.

**Libby** · 08-04-2010, 11:29 PM

I don't freeze fresh peas but sounds like you could flash freeze them on a cookie sheet in freezer for an hour or so then bag them in a freezer bag so you will be able to pull out a handful at a time vs waiting for a block to unthaw (unless you freeze them in portion sizes you use)

**pat in east texas** · 08-05-2010, 07:26 AM

If I don't have ice water I just let them cool in cold water to room temp. And it doesn't hurt them if they're put in the freezer warm - itjust takes them longer to freeze.

**nuisance26** · 08-05-2010, 08:51 AM

~I don't see how they could spoil in the freezer.

I blanch fresh peas, dip into an ice bath, drain and freeze in containers. I've never had a problem with them sticking together.
Yours should be fine!~