Freeze celery?

bluesky · #1 01/15/10, 12:51 PM

It's just DH and me and we never use a whole bunch of celery before it goes bad. Does anybody freeze it for cooking? Maybe chop up and freeze on a cookie sheet like peppers?

txquilter · #2 01/15/10, 12:58 PM

I've never frozen celery but what about dehydrating it for soups and stews later down the road?

I've also heard (but never tried this) that you can set it upright in a jar with a small amount of water and it will stay crisp for a longer period of time in the refrigerator.

Marianne · #3 01/15/10, 01:04 PM

You also can just wrap it up tight in aluminum foil and it stays fresh for a LONG time. I have frozen celery for cooking. Just wash, chop or slice, bag, label and use in any cooked dish calling for celery. Works just like the fresh.

Janossy · #4 01/15/10, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesky

It's just DH and me and we never use a whole bunch of celery before it goes bad. Does anybody freeze it for cooking? Maybe chop up and freeze on a cookie sheet like peppers?

That is what we do. Always on hand to throw into soup or stuffing.

Tracy Rimmer · #5 01/15/10, 01:10 PM

I chop it up and freeze it, just in bags. Once it's frozen, it breaks apart quite easily so long as you don't pack the bags too tightly.

I then use it in soups, stuffings, veggie casseroles, etc. You can't tell the difference from fresh.

bluesky · #6 01/15/10, 01:24 PM

That's exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks!

Rockytopsis · #7 01/15/10, 01:25 PM

I buy it when it is on sale and chop and freeze.

Snowdancer · #8 01/15/10, 01:29 PM

I chop & freeze celery and onions when I find them on sale. It saves time & money.
During the summer, I also chop peppers & freeze when the garden is overly abundant. They work great in pasta's & on pizza.

Melissa · #9 01/15/10, 03:02 PM

I used to freeze it, but after I started drying it, I went with that. It smells so good dried!

Tracy Rimmer · #10 01/15/10, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa

I used to freeze it, but after I started drying it, I went with that. It smells so good dried!

I dry and grind some in my spice mill for celery "powder" -- I use it where a recipe calls for celery seed or mixed half and half with salt to make "celery salt".

You're right, Melissa -- it smells HEAVENLY when it's drying, and the flavor is quite intense.

Linkovich · #11 01/15/10, 03:16 PM

I always stick it in a jar and cover it with water in the fridge. It lasts a lot longer that way, but still doesn't last forever. When the ends go a bit soft, then your time is running out! Never tried freezing it though- sounds like a good idea!

Ohio dreamer · #12 01/15/10, 04:02 PM

I keep a freezer bag in my freezer (even when it's empty) marked soup veg. Anytime I get to the ends or have something that needs used NOW I cut it up and stick it in the bag. You'd be amazed at how much you can save that way, especially if you have a garden. Those ends taste wonderful in soup, stuffing, eggs, etc latter....especially in the depth of winter when the veg is so expensive in the stores.

**clovis** · #13 01/15/10, 07:17 PM

Celery? Yuck!!!! That stuff is vile!!!!

Do not freeze it.

Pay the neighbor kid to come and carry it off a long way from your home, and have him bury it deep in the ground so the world can be rid of that stuff.

On the other hand, you could mail it to the Campbell's Soup Company. They like to put 6 full stalks in every can I buy.

Plain and simple, celery is the sole reason that I always ask what someone is serving before we commit to visit for a meal. People like my mother in law love to sneak it into every recipe they make.

Okay...I am kidding around...well, kind of kidding....but I hate celery!!!!! Yuck!!!!!